Page 78 of Home Town Advantage
NINETEEN
VANCE
Ipull my truck up to Sulley’s house more excited about tonight than I’ve been about anything in a long time. I’m trying to temper down the hope that’s filling me. Hope that the black cloud I’ve lived under for six years will be lifted.
Exiting the truck, I’m just ascending her steps when she opens her front door and emerges.
My heart stops beating.
Time stands still.
I can only stare at the goddess in front of me. She takes my breath away. The only words I can find are, “You’re beautiful.” It’s more than beauty. It’s a glow. She’s an angel.
The little girl I once knew has grown into the most exquisite woman I’ve ever seen. I know for a fact that there’s no turning back for me. No woman will ever come close to the one before me.
She’s in a short summer dress with a small, unbuttoned white sweater. It’s unseasonably warm, still not quite warm enough for what she’s wearing, but she listened to what I asked her to wear. The dress is white with all kinds of pink,purple, and orange flowers. It’s got ruffled shoulder straps, and there are little white balls on the ends. The sides are cut out, showing a bit of her toned abs. Between that and her mile-long legs, I might not make it to our destination without pulling over and having my wicked way with her.
I quickly move to kiss her, but she swerves away from my advances. “Don’t. You never know if there are cameras around. Nothing out in the open. We agreed to this.”
My jaw tightens as I’m slapped in the face with reality. I give a short nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
Itching to touch her, I ball my hands into fists and turn to walk toward the truck, opening the passenger door for her.
Once we’re both inside the truck, I reach over to take her hand in mine. She starts to pull away, but I tighten my grip. “No one can see. I need to touch you. Give me this.”
She exhales a long breath. “Fine. I’m really nervous about tonight, Vance. We can’t be seen out on a date. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I’ve got it under control. Don’t worry. Thanks for wearing what I asked.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “I’m not sure why a short, casual dress or skirt was necessary, but you’ve certainly piqued my curiosity, Vile Vance.”
I run my hand up her silky-smooth thigh. “I’ve got plans for these legs and the heaven that sits between them. I need easy access.”
She playfully shakes her head, and I laugh as I pull onto the street and head out on our long journey. We chat about nothing in particular for over an hour as the evening sky begins to turn dark. She tells me about their team practices and her excitement for their season. Her heartfelt enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air.
At some point, she announces, “I’ve done all the talking. You need to talk too. That’s how a date works. Is this your first one?”
I roll my eyes. “No, sassy pants. It’s not. I enjoy listening to you. Your passion for your sport and your new life is refreshing, Sullivan Aisling. I’m happy you’ve found friends. I was thinking about you as a little girl. I don’t remember other girls being around very much.”
She shrugs. “Female friendships have never come easily to me. I either didn’t have much in common with them, or there were issues with me getting so much attention. This is the first time in my life that I feel the notion of girl power and support. I know Kennedy has a bad rep, but she’s been the most welcoming and probably the biggest surprise of all. Underneath that tough exterior is an amazing, compassionate woman who’s gone out of her way to be a good friend to me.”
I nod. “I see it on the court. She has this protective big sister vibe with you.” I run my fingers through my hair. “Off the court too. She stares daggers at me sometimes. Always has something nasty to say to me. I’m assuming she knows more about our history than anyone else?”
Sulley’s face scrunches. “She does. I’m sorry. That first night I saw you, I was so triggered. I was inconsolable. Kennedy and Palmer got me out of there and held me all night as I cried. I owed them an explanation in the morning.”
I feel a tightness in my chest. “I’m sorry to be the cause of your pain. I hate that.”
She’s silent for a bit. “Do you know how you could help?”
“How?”
“Explain it all to me. I’m convinced that I’m missing part of this story. What happened? I know I didn’t imagine your disdain for Maddie for all those years. How did you go from tolerating her for Finn’s sake to sleeping in the same bed? If you tell me she drugged you, I’ll believe you.” She whispers, “I want to believe you.”
I shake my head and say, “She didn’t drug me,” but am otherwise quiet.
She exhales a breath in obvious frustration. “Something,Vance. Give me something. You can open up to me.” She tugs on her hair in frustration. “It’s like I’m trying to put together a puzzle, but it’s impossible because so many pieces are missing from the box. Why don’t you have a relationship with Francesca? Tell me that.”
“Maddie dictates who does and doesn’t see her. Francesca thinks Curtis is her father. Maddie doesn’t want her to get confused. I’ve asked for more time, but she won’t give it to me. My hands are tied.”
