Page 54 of Hot Shot
“With you.”
“With me? You want to stay with me until you decide?”
“No. I want to stay with you forever.”
He’s talked about being a couple and I think we’ve gotten our friendship close to what it was before he broke off contact, but I don’t know if I’m ready to dive into a more intimate relationship yet. “Bran.”
“If you don’t want me to stay with you, that’s fine. I’ll take whatever, wherever.”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m okay with you staying in my house. But I’m not ready to commit to the forever you keep talking about.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’m pushing.” His gaze meets mine for a split second before he returns his attention to the turn into the gas station. “I’ve been dead inside—no, not dead, in pain, aching, for so long that now it’s not as sharp, almost dull like a fading memory, I want to grab the life I let go, the life I shoved aside, with two fists and hold on.”
The emotion in his voice is raw, it slices at my insides as sharply as a razor blade. I want to soothe him, tell him he can have what he wants, but I need to take this—us—slow. I’m okay going all in on him playing for the Rogues but when it comes to my heart, to handing it over to him, I can’t yet. He has it. There’s no doubt about that, but I’m not ready for him to hold it freely.
Mainly because while he’s saying all the right words, he’s still got a lot he needs to work through. A lot of people to talk to and make amends with.
“How about we worry about that when we get to Baton Rouge. I plan to be at Mom and Dad’s for a week. I want to run you through your paces with Dad’s expert eyes as a second set. That will give us time for you to settle in to life outside of your hidey-hole and for you to make steps toward mending some fences.”
Bran pulls up to a pump and shuts off the engine. Turning in his seat, he rests one arm on the steering wheel and reaches the other toward me. I give him my hand, our fingers seamlessly weaving together.
“I can do whatever you need me to do. What I can’t do is face any of that without you by my side. I meant what I said the other day. You are my safe place. I need you with me. Want you with me.”
“I can be there as much as you need or want for now but once we get to Baton Rouge, I’ll have other things I have to do. Like my job. Actually, I have several roles within Rogue sportswear and the Rogues org but the main one is getting the roster for the team filled out.”
“I can help with that.”
“How?”
“It might have been a couple of years, but I’ve played with or against a lot of players, I know the sport, I can be your sounding board, and I’ve probably got some inside info on a few of the players on your list that could tip your decision to offer them a contract one way or the other.”
Smiling, I say, “My own personal advisor?”
“Yes.”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your training, I don’t see a problem with it.”
“Good. Now go pee while I top up the tank.” He pops the driver’s door and slips out before I can mention his own need of the bathroom.
Not that he needs me to mother him. He might have looked like he needed taking care of when we first arrived in Parry Sound, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
Branton Lattimer is a big boy, literally and figuratively. He can take care of his own needs. And I need to remember that.
Getting out of the car, I grab my phone and make a call as I head to the bathroom.
Mom answers on the second ring. “How close are you now?”
With a laugh I shove the bathroom door open and lock it behind me. “About an hour, depending on traffic. We’re just stopping for gas.”
“Don’t forget to go to the restroom before you leave.”
“Always a mom.”
“Of course. I’ve told you before, being a parent is a lifetime job.”
“You have. I believe you. I just wonder if it’s really necessary to tell your thirty-one year old daughter to go use the washroom before a car ride.”
“Old habits die hard. Plus I still need to remind your brothers to go. Especially the twins.”
