Page 53 of Until He Scores

“Yeah, thanks. I’m beginning to realize I can’t judge this surgery from the last. Everything is different.”

“Suppose it would be,” he replied. “Now what do you want to eat?”

Anything would complicate matters but as we drove toward the freeway, I caught a glimpse ofFlameout the passenger window. “Flame.”

“Can do.” Pope turned on his blinker and drove around the block. At the driveway, he pulled in and found a spot close to the door. “I can go in and get the order to-go if you want.”

“I’ll go with you, if you don’t care. I need to stretch.”

Once inside, Mack joined us at the bar while we waited for our meal to be prepared. Felt almost normal being there. Watching Pope, I couldn’t wrap my mind around why he wanted to help me. The last time we had a real conversation about things, he told me he needed time. Then everything got twisted and fucked. Now, I felt like I’d gone back to walking on eggshells around him, not sure what he expected from me or if he expected anything at all.

“I’m staying with Thierry for the time being,” Pope said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“What?” He’d made the offer in front of Cobi because of Derrick, I thought. Never believing he’d follow through.

“That’s my cue to go check on your meal,” Mack said. “Great seeing you again, Thierry. I’ll tell Ireland you’re out of the hospital.”

Why would... Never mind. I cut my gaze to Pope who watched me with an intensity that seared my nerve endings. “Why are you staying with me?”

“To help,” he replied, then motioned between us. “I know what I said last time about this. Cut me some slack, okay? This is all unfamiliar territory, and I’m way out of my depths still.”

I didn’t know what to say. Arguing I’d manage on my own was futile. “If this is because of Derrick and his outbursts, I’ll be fine. I planned on barring him from the complex, anyway. I also thought about talking to his manager. Maybe he needs rehab again.”

Pope gave me a droll stare. “He’s not your problem anymore. He keeps dragging you back in. Not the other way around.”

Humiliation swamped me. “I know.”

“Then let me help you. Better to put up a wall than to allow him to have access to you.” Pope took my hand. “Let me make those calls for you.”

“But what if people ask questions?”

“Let them,” he said. “It’s obvious you have your friends and fans, and he has his. One of these days, he’s going to do something so outrageous, nothing you do will fix the problem.”

Pope had a point. A big one. “I don’t...”

“We’re both atoning for things we did as teenagers, Thier. We’re starting fresh from here on out. I heard you that night. Heard the anguish and the pain I caused you. How I made youdoubt yourself. The loneliness I caused. I never meant for that to happen. I wish I could go back and fix everything.”

“But you can’t,” I mumbled, unable to look at him.

“No, but I can be here now in whatever capacity you want me,” he answered.

That wasn’t fair. It was like throwing a giant cow carcass in front of a pride of hungry lions and telling them to feast. Not only would they fight with each other, they’d probably gorge themselves until they bloated and died. I didn’t want Pope to become my pride of lions. “You can’t do that.”

“My choice,” he said, pressing his forehead to mine while we sat there waiting. His lips brushed across mine and a shock of surprise and arousal jerked through me, leaving this languid stupid-silliness in its wake. “I can do whatever I want.”

This time when he kissed me, Pope settled in, coaxing me to open for him. I gave over, uncaring of those around us. A sense of relief with a hint of worry stayed at the forefront of my mind while I relished the way he commanded my mouth. When he eased back, I opened my eyes and found him grinning like a fool.

He shouldn’t be so damn smug.

“You’re not giving me options,” I said.

“You’ve had plenty,” he answered. “You’re allowed to sit this one out.”

Once we arrived at the apartment complex, Pope took care of making sure Derrick couldn’t get in, permanently, then helped me get to my home. He unlocked the door before grabbing our food and my bag and brought them inside. He then returned to my side as though I couldn’t maneuver on my own. Still, I had to give him props for helping me over the threshold. It was kind of nice having someone who cared.

“Thanks.” The place was spotless and the crawly sensation of someone being there before our arrival prickled at the baseof my neck. I even had a vase of winter flowers on my kitchen island. Not a usual occurrence.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Pope called out, as he walked toward my bedroom, “Lily-Mae brought in a cleaning service for you. She said something about her turn to pay back the favor. Or whatever.”

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