Page 28 of The Interception
It’s definitely not because I want to see him again.
Definitely not that.
At all.
I can’t figure out what happened between us last night. One minute, it seemed like he was finally going to kiss me, and the next, he detached completely. Again. Still, I can’t help wanting to see him, feel it all out, and decide if I should run screaming or encourage it. Whateveritis.
But I don’t see his truck when I pull into the now familiar drive. I knock and Sarah Beth pulls open the door.
“Layne, hi! I wasn’t expecting you.” She smiles despite my unannounced intrusion into her day.
I hold up the container. “I made biscotti for you three.”
“What?” Her eyes go wide and she steps aside for me to enter. “You didn’t have to do that, but I’m so excited that you did.”
I hand her the container and she pulls the lid off.
“Oh wow, these look and smell amazing. There might not be any left for Ender when he gets home.”
“Oh?” I ask as nonchalantly as possible. “Where is he?”
“Already left for the game. They have to be there early for warm-ups and all that nonsense.” She bites into one of the chocolate biscotti and her eyes roll back. “Yep, he’s screwed. I’m eating them all. Layne, this is delicious!”
I grin but can’t quite hide my disappointment that Ender isn’t here. Sarah Beth is great, and I don’t mind spending time with her at all but…Okay,yesI definitely came because I want to see Ender again.
Sarah Beth smirks through chewing. “You really came to give these to him, didn’t you?” she asks with a raised eyebrow.
“What? No! They’re for all of you. For sure.” I hold my hands up in defense, but she’s no fool.
“Come on. Let’s get out for a bit,” she says. “I have a sitter for tonight because I planned to drive around town looking at a few houses, but I have different plans now.”
“What do you mean? What are you doing?” She shuffles me around like a rag doll.
“We’re going to see my brother play football. After all, let’s not pretend I’m who you really came to see.” She smiles again, calling my bluff.
For some reason, it never occurred to me that I could watch a game. I’ve been so focused on the competition and avoiding my growing attraction to Ender that it never crossed my mind. Butnow, sitting in a box with Ender’s sister, I realize it might have been better if I’d never realized it was, in fact, a possibility.
Because Ender Langley in person? Handsome. So very handsome. But Ender in uniform doing what he does best? I’ve been chasing down my heart for the last hour, trying to keep it in my chest.
“Are you doing okay over there? I know it’s a little loud,” Sarah Beth says.
“Oh, yeah. Fine. I’m good. I’m used to the noise from my brother’s games.”
She pops some popcorn in her mouth, chews, and swallows before saying, “I’m so used to seeing Ender play now, but it used to be so weird.” She points down to the field. “See that guy, number 32? That’s Leo, one of Ender’s close friends. He has helped us out so much since my husband died.”
I notice Leo reach for Ender, who sports a 29, and they bump fists before moving into position. It really hadn’t occurred to me that Ender might have other friends, despite him playing pro football. Andrew’s best friend plays soccer, but he’s also close with a handful of guys on his team. For some reason, despite watching him play, I still can’t wrap my mind around Ender as a football player. He’s a cook in my mind, but watching him book across the field with the ball tells me a whole different story.
And then he’s tackled and goes down like a sack of potatoes…for a blink. He pops back up and brushes it off like it was nothing. I suppose it is, given his position, but it still makes me hold my breath. If Andrew ever got tackled, something went horribly wrong.
“Do you think it’s possible to find love again even after you’ve lost the love of your life?” Sarah Beth asks out of the blue.
I glance her way, a little surprised, and her cheeks turn red.
“Don’t look at me like that. I loved my husband, still do, but sometimes I wonder what life will be like for Lula without a father in her life, you know?”
“Ender seems to be an amazing uncle.” I’m not sure what to say. No clue. I’ve never been in love, let alone the kind that makes you want to marry and have children, but I imagine losing it is probably one of the most difficult things a person can experience.
“He is, don’t get me wrong. It’s just…” she fades and sets the popcorn bucket on her lap. “I can’t expect him to be afather,you know? He’s an uncle, a great one, but who will walk her down the aisle? Chase off all the boys that are all wrong for her? Teach her how to drive?”
