Page 80 of Crave

“Get your girl and go home,” JD states again, this time through clenched teeth as he physically drags me back to my office.

CHAPTER 27

JAKE

“You’ll be here when I’m done?” Tristan asks. He seems satisfied with my nod because he runs to the center of the field and joins his teammates. Even though this is my fourth time attending his soccer game, in as many weeks, he always introduces me to the same group of people every Saturday. And every Saturday, I sit in the bleachers with Sandy for an hour and we watch a bunch of boys run around a field, attempting to play soccer.

Every Saturday, I watch as Troy stands with the other two coaches, giving their team pointers on how to score, with Emma acting as an assistant coach with her own ideas on how to get the team to win.

It’s quite comical, actually. Troy as a soccer coach. No wonder they suck so badly. I’d make fun of him if I didn’t despise him so much.

I check my phone and have no messages or missed calls from Sandy.

“Uncle Jake.” I look down to see Emma pulling on my shorts to get my attention. “Where’s Sandy? She’s supposed to bring me a headband with pink flowers like the ones she wears. Is she still coming?” I smile down at her as she pushes her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose.

She’s been here with me every Saturday since I started coming. Despite the fact she has no interest in soccer or any other sport, she still comes with me. I never have to ask her. She knows I need her support, and she gives it freely.

“I think so, Emma. She wouldn’t forget something as important as your headband.” Emma seems satisfied with my answer. She arranges her glasses again and looks towards the bleachers.

“There she is!” Emma takes off running towards Sandy as Sandy walks toward us as quickly as possible, holding a to-go tray with two cups of coffee from her mother’s bakery. She scans the area for me, and when she spots me, her face breaks into a beautiful smile. She waves at me. I wave back, but instead of walking to her, I stand still and watch the interaction between her and Emma.

She carefully places the tray on the grass, reaches inside her purse and pulls out a headband, which she places on Emma’s head. It’s a wreath just like the one Sandy is wearing. She digs in her purse some more and pulls out a compact. She lowers herself to Emma’s level and they look at themselves in the mirror. Emma’s so excited, she’s practically jumping. Next, Sandy takes out her phone, they put their heads together and take pictures. Emma hugs Sandy so tight, they both almost fall over. Emma kisses Sandy’s cheek before she runs towards Tracy to show off her headband.

God, this woman.

All the shit she deals with when it comes to me and my dysfunction, and she never bats an eye. She never gets exasperated or irritated at being around my ex-girlfriend. I can’t help but think how I would react if I had to be around her ex. I wouldn’t handle it as graciously or as maturely as her. I’d end up getting arrested for assault. Fact.

I shake my head at the thought of her and Derek and make my way to her. The second I get close enough, she runs into my arms and I press her against me, feeling her heartbeat against my body.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I say against her neck. I want to kiss her so damn bad, but if I start, I won’t stop, and this is not the right place.

She hands me a cup of coffee. “My mom poured it just for you. She’s sending Vivian with pastries.” Vivian is Sandy’s younger cousin, the daughter of her mother’s brother. Vivian takes after Gabrielle and Tash in the looks and stature department. I’ve only met her twice, and she seems nice enough, but whenever her aunt is not around, she loses her filter and gets admonished by Tash or Dee.

“And I missed you too,” Sandy says, sipping her coffee.

“You and your girls’ night,” I moan. She told me days ago that she was going out with Tash, Diana, Ebony, and Vivian for their monthly night out, and since it was Ebony’s choice, she wanted to have a sleepover. Tash was bailing on the sleepover, so Sandy felt obligated, which meant I spent the night without my girl.

“Next month is my choice. Don’t make me have it at your house,” she threatens.

“I’d love that.” I wrap my arm around her waist as I lead her towards the bleachers. Once we’re seated, I pull her into my side and press a kiss on her temple. “You’re the best, do you know that?”

She looks up at me, smiling shyly.

“Yes, I know.” Her smile broadens.

“And humble too, I see.”

“I am. Humility is one of my finest attributes.” She does one of the things I love the most about her. She laughs at her own joke.

“And beautiful.” She looks away from me, but I grab her chin, so she can see the sincerity on my face. “And beautiful,” I repeat. She doesn’t try to look away, but she blushes.

“And I love you.” Her eyes widen, and she opens her mouth to speak but quickly shuts it again. She shakes her head and looks away, almost as if she’s in disbelief of what she just heard. I grab her chin again and lock my gaze with hers. “You heard me right. I love you.”

“You love me?”

“I love you.”

“And you tell me here? At a rugby game on a Saturday morning when I’m hungover?”

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