Page 99 of Quarterback Sneak
He glances over at me. “I missed you so much. How did the rest of your week go? What did I miss?”
I fill him in on the last few days, and the drive passes quickly. My breathing turns a little shallow when he pulls into a driveway and parks. “No need to be nervous, Evie. My family already loves you.” I nod and try not to let my nerves get the best of me. When I look through the windshield, I notice the house isn’t insanely huge and doesn’t scream money. That helps me relax somewhat. Zane squeezes my hand once more and then climbs down and comes around to my side. He offers me a hand, and I take it so I can climb down. When we turn to the house, I take in the wrap-around front porch with rocking chairs and a swing, as well as the soft blue door that matches the shutters.
“It’s beautiful, Zane.”
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” he says in return. But when I look up at him, he’s not looking at the house. The front door opens, tearing us from our private moment.
“I’m sorry. I tried to be patient, but I couldn’t wait a moment longer,” Zane’s mom says, wiping her hands on the apron she’s wearing. “Hey, Evie, it’s so good to see you again.” She floats down the front steps, or at least that’s what it seems like. She’s so graceful. When she gets to us, she doesn’t stop her movement. She leans in and I figure she’s going to hug Zane. I’m wrong. She pulls me into a hug so tight, it nearly hurts.
“Mom,” Zane says, putting a hand on my back. “Don’t break her.” His mom’s hold instantly lessens.
She pulls back and stares at me, even as she wipes her eyes. I look up at Zane in concern, but he just grins. I, on the other hand, am worried. “Are you okay?” I ask gently, reaching out to put my hand on her shoulder.
She swallows and wipes her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just am so happy.”
My concern only grows, and I’m not really sure what to do. Zane has no such inhibitions. “Dad,” he calls out. A man steps out of the house a moment later, and I suck in a breath. I already met him once; but I was so out of it, I don’t really remember it. He looks so much like Zane. I feel like I’m getting a glimpse of how Zane will age.Very well, apparently.
I watch as Zane’s dad comes down the stairs. He’s got Zane’s build and hasn’t seemed to have lost any muscle mass over the years. I watch as he approaches his wife and wonder if he’s going to be upset. But he smiles at me even as he wraps an arm around his wife and pulls her into his side. He kisses her on the temple and whispers something to her so softy, we can’t hear. She looks up at him with tears in her eyes, and he smiles tenderly at her, even as he wipes her eyes. I jerk my eyes away, unable to keep watching this tender moment. I can’t help but glance up at Zane,but he doesn’t seem surprised or confused by any of this. He looks utterly relaxed, and I glance back at his parents in time to see Zane’s dad wrap an arm around his wife and pull her close. Something tightens in my chest at the sight of them and an unwelcome sense of longing fills me. I’m suddenly overcome with emotion that I don’twant to deal with right now. I take a breath and work to swallow past the lump in my throat.How many times did I want just an ounce of affection like that from my dad for my mom? Not even for me. I just saw how badly she wanted it, and he never gave it.
“Evie?”
Zane’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I force a smile to my lips and look up at him. His eyes search my face, and he frowns. Not wanting to bring the mood down, I keep my smile on my lips as I face Zane’s parents. Before I can say anything, Zane’s dad smiles warmly and puts out his hand. “Evie, it’s good to see you again. Zane talks about you often.”
“Constantly,” a new voice adds. “He never shuts up about you.”
I smile as Riley bounds down the steps, her long blonde ponytail swinging behind her. “Hey, Sis,” she says before giving me a tight hug. “Sorry I’m all sweaty; I just got out of practice.”
“No worries,” I tell her easily.
Riley claps her hands and rubs them together. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Zane says with affection in his voice.
“So are you,” she says, punching him in the stomach.
He doesn’t even respond, and I wonder if she hurt her hand. “The food is just about ready,” Zane’s mom says as she walks up the steps to the house, her husband trailing her.
“I can help,” I offer as we follow them.
“I won’t turn down the offer,” she says graciously. “Heaven knows my own daughter wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen.”
“Mom,” Riley says, jogging up the stairs behind us. “That issonot true.”
“When was the last time you cooked in the kitchen?” Zane’s mom asks with a brow raised.
“Well, it’s been a while; but that’s because of my schedule.”
Zane’s mom gives me a wink and a smile. “Okay, Riley.”
Riley sighs. “I’ve got homework to do. Let me know when it’s ready.” With that, she practically skips out of the kitchen, snagging a grape on her way past the table and popping it into her mouth.
“Put me to work,” I tell Zane’s mom. She smiles at me. “Ever made blackened green beans?”
Chapter 42
Zane
Evie’s quiet on the drive back to campus. “You okay over there?” I ask, squeezing her hand gently.
