Page 63 of Enough
As we head toward the field, I see Marlow kicking the ball around with her teammates. Mike is laughing and carrying on with the coach’s friend. The new guy has his back still toward me, but I notice he was smart enough to wear a hat today even though he’s dressed in shorts. His legs are tan and muscular.I pretend to not gawk.
Mike sees me approach from the corner of his eye and turns to face me head-on. He seems to be admiring me, maybe even checking me out. I feel a combination of discomfort, confidence, and anger. I mumble “Asshole” under my breath. Kay adjusts her head to the side to regard me. Damn, that woman has better hearing than a dog.
I place my best fake smile on my lips as I inch closer to him. It’s interesting to see the way he’s staring at me. I hope he regrets letting me slip away, although I really couldn’t care less what he thinks or feels anymore. The truth causes me to smile genuinely. I roll my eyes when it seems Mike thinks my smile is for him. Kale takes off running to help kick balls with his sister, and I’m glad he’s out of earshot in case I feel the need to curse.
“Hey, I’m glad you’re here a little early.” He takes a step in my direction and waves me forward. “Marlow has been dying for you to meet her new coach.” He holds his hand to the side of his mouth to whisper, “He’s pretty awesome. I think he might be a professional. He really knows his stuff.”
I sigh as I take a step closer, pulling my hood over my head with my free hand. Mike taps him on the shoulder.
“Hey, Coach, I want you to meet Marlow’s mom.”
He pivots on his heel and removes his hat as he turns. My heart implodes when I see beautiful, familiar hazel eyes staring back at me. His hair is as dark and as thick as ever, and he’s sporting stubble on his face that makes me long to feel it slide against the skin of my stomach. The sensations that flow through me at simply viewing his face create emotions I didn’t know existed.
“Nick, this is Marlow’s mom, Everly. Everly, this isNick… I’m sorry, what was your last name again?”
“Rowen,” he announces with a small nod of his head. I stare as his crooked smile stretches across his perfect lips. I instantly recognize that smile as mine.
I stand frozen, unable to move. Kay moves in my place.
“Well, I’ll be damned! Nick Rowen! I never thought I’d see you again, much less here!”
Nick reluctantly shifts his gaze from me to my grandmother. “Hi, Kay! You look as lovely as ever.”
Kay and Nick hug, and of course Nick is the first to let go. I glance over to Mike and he’s dumbfounded. It almost makes me smile, but my face is still frozen in shock and awe.
“Wait…” Mike begins. “You and Kay know each other?”
Nick faces Mike and briefly looks toward me. The smile returns. He knows I’m freaking out, and I think he kind of likes it.
“Oh, it’s not just me who knows Nick,” Kay begins. “Everly and Nick used to date when she was in high school.”
“Huh?” I watch Mike’s eyes flicker back and forth between us, and I see a hint of concern in his expression.
“Hi, Ever. It’s good to see you again.” Nick leans in and plants a small kiss on my cheek. His lips are soft, warm, and enticing. I almost find myself leaning in for more as he steps away, but my face is frozen just like the rest of me. His kiss sends a bolt of heat through me right to the area between my thighs, and I’m fairly certain the sudden warmth on my face is not from his lips but rather from my embarrassment at the effect he has on me.
I glance between Kay, Nick, and Mike. Kay and Nick are grinning from ear to ear. Mike’s mouth has curled into a sadistic frown. Everyone seems to be waiting for me to speak. Iopen my mouth and a slur of consonants comes out as I lift my hand and point my index finger toward him. I’m unable to form a coherent thought, and Nick rides to my rescue like a hot knight on his horse.
“I’m sure Everly is shocked to see me.” He directs his words toward Mike as if to explain why I’m so surprised. “I used to live in Wisconsin, but I moved here three years ago to be closer.” He clears his throat and corrects himself. “To be closer to our corporate office.” His gaze falls on me and his smile returns. “It’s nice to finally see you again. I’ve been waiting for you to return my call.”
Kay’s mouth hangs open for a moment before the excitement she feels becomes apparent to all. “She was supposed to call you? Well, she’s here now. Apparently, you two have a lot of catching up to do!”
“Yes, we do.” He glances down briefly and then back up into my eyes. He winks at me, and it forces me to take a steadying breath.
“He called me,” I manage through bated breath.
Nick shoots me his crooked smile, and I hear Coach Dawson call to him.
“If you’ll excuse me, duty calls. Kay, I’d love to grab some coffee with you and Ever sometime, if you’re free.”
“Sounds good to me,” Kay says with unrestricted enthusiasm.
As soon as Nick jogs toward the field and my eyes stop focusing on his muscular calves in his soccer shorts, I notice Mike staring at me.
“He’sthe Nick you dated in high school? I thought you said he lived far away?”
I take a breath and lessen my grip on the chairs I’ve beenclutching for dear life. “He did. He just said he moved here three years ago.”
“Why would he do that?” Mike asks, crossing his arms defensively.
