Page 40 of Hard Count
"No it doesn't. I wish there was something I could do to make things different."
"You're making a difference by being here."
Sighing, I cup the back of her neck and pull her closer to pop a kiss on her lips. “My turn. Is there anything you want to know about me?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.” Drew plays it cool but I know the attraction is as deep on her side as it is on mine. I can’t figure out if her mixed signals are out of fear, her trying to be flirty, or is there something else going on entirely?
“If you were to think about it, what would you like to know?” Shifting my body closer to her, I graze my hand up and down her forearm. Her eyes close as if she’s savoring my touch and committing it to memory.
“What is your family like?”
I’m surprised that’s the first thing she’s asking me about considering her own family life. “I’m an open book and you want to know about my family?”
“Your family is a part of you.”
“Is that how you feel about you and your family?”
“I try not to think about my family too much. I’ve already talked more about them today than I have in four years. Tell me about yours. Please,” she pleads as if I could ever tell her no.
“I will but if you’re willing to tell me more about your family, I’m listening.”
“You already know my dad.”
“And your mom?”
She turns away, biting down on her lip. “You first. Then I’ll give you the full background on the destruction ofDrew and her home life.” Her smile is a brave front. It makes me sorry I even asked. I’ve had my suspicions since our date that it wasn’t picture perfect. I didn't know it went beyond her relationship with her dad.
“My dad is my biggest supporter. He’s never missed a game. Even if he needed to work, he would figure it out. He’s someone I can go to with a problem. I’ve always trusted his judgment. He’s kind and fair. Except I think he did favor my sister. She had him wrapped around her finger.”
“He sounds like a great man but I already knew he would be because of who you are. And your mom? What is she like?”
“She was a stay at home mom for the longest time. Did all the PTA stuff and helped out at the school. When I started eighth grade she decided she wanted to be a nurse. I think helping people is in her blood. She’s patient and selfless. She always sees the best in people.”
“I like her already.”
“She would like you too.”
“Full on like me or just kind of like me like you do?” she teases.
“You're hilarious. Your turn. Tell me about your life.”
“If we’re really going to do this, I’m going to need ice cream.” She stands and holds out her hands. “Come on.”
I link our hands together and allow her to ease me off the floor. I don’t let go of her until we’re in her tiny kitchen. “Which flavor do you want? Caramel sundae or strawberry shortcake?”
“Caramel sundae.”
“We’ll have to share. I want that one too.” She takes it out of the freezer then reaches around me to grab two spoons out of a drawer. Hopping up on the counter, she makes herself comfortable.
I take one of the spoons out of her hand while she opens up the pint of ice cream. She takes the first bite and then passes the pint to me. Her knee bumps against my hip and I inch a little closer to make sure it keeps happening.
“My parents got divorced when I was fourteen. My dad is a football coach. Always has been.” Her hand covers mine as she scoops out another bite of ice cream. “My mom,” she says before swallowing, “is codependent. She needs to be needed and decided she wanted to be needed by other men.”
“And where did that leave you?” I’m afraid to hear her answer.
“Stuck in the middle but also alone. I spent a lot of time with my dad when I was younger. He brought me to all his practices and games. We were really close. This was when he coached a high school team in Tennessee. Then things started to change.”
“Is that when he came to Newhouse?” I ask.
