The Curve Ball - Samantha Lind Page 0,61
pool; it looks like little miss, here, is ready,” Riley points out as she heads to get into the pool. I walk around to the steps, easing my way into the water. With the sun already beating down on us and the summer heat well upon us, the coolness of the pool feels fantastic. As soon as Evie’s feet hit the water, she starts kicking like she’s a little fish. I wade out a bit, bobbing her along with me until I reach where Riley is standing, holding the baby float thing that she loves hanging out in. It works well and helps keep her occupied while we float around the water.
Sixteen
Riley
“Okay, so you’ll be back late Wednesday night, early Thursday morning, and your parents arrive on Friday. Do we want to plan on anything special while they’re here?” I ask as Justin packs his suitcase for a three-night road trip.
“I don’t think so, they don’t usually require any fanfare when they come to see me, and we can all be honest, they aren’t coming for me anymore.”
“Oh, I’m well aware that they’re only coming to get an Evie fix. Well, that and your mom is excited to see us together.” I flash him a small smile.
“Yeah, she’s reminded me of that fact no less than a hundred times,” he deadpans as he rolls a few T-shirts before placing them into his bag. Once the shirts are in his bag, he leans over and drops a peck on the corner of my lips. I miss him when he’s gone, but I find it fascinating to watch him pack so often. It’s like second nature to him to have to pack all the time and head out. Such is the life of a professional athlete. Half of the season is spent on the road, and that’s a shit ton of time when you really look at the schedule.
“Did you see the headline about you today?” I ask, not sure if he saw it or not, since it hasn’t come up yet.
“Yeah,” he grunts out. “I really hate that woman. She’s a devil in sheep’s clothing.”
“I didn’t get the greatest vibe from her, either,” I tell him. I noticed that she did precisely what he warned me about and got close to the friends and family section so she could attempt to eavesdrop on what we were talking about. “I think it will only be a matter of days before they figure out who I am,” I tell him, not really caring, but also knowing that my number one focus needs to be keeping Evie safe once they do, so if that means keeping her safely secured in the house, then I will.
“I agree. I was a little shocked that they haven’t already, to be honest.”
“I’m sure that they’ll quickly figure out I’m Derek’s sister and start making lots of assumptions.”
“Yeah, like my nanny turned sex slave,” he jokes, dropping a full kiss onto my lips.
“Don’t be crass.” I laugh against his lips as I smack my hands on his chest.
“Just telling the truth,” he says before deepening the kiss. His fingers sink into my hair as his palms cup my cheeks. He angles my head precisely right, allowing him to deepen the kiss as he desires. I sink into him. Into this embrace, this kiss. By the time we break apart, my body is humming for more. More kissing. More touching. More of everything he is willing to give me.
“I’m going to miss you,” I whisper as I place my head against his chest.
“I’m going to miss you, as well. Maybe my next road trip, you and Evie will have to come out with me.”
“Maybe,” I state. He’s brought up the idea once before, but I never gave it much thought.
“Do you have any plans while I’m gone?” he asks as he zips up his suitcase.
“Not really, hanging out with Jillian and the kids. Probably take a few walks to the park, but otherwise just some lazy summer days.”
“Just be careful while you’re out and about. I don’t want anyone harassing you while I’m not around to protect the two of you.” His protectiveness of both Evie and me is downright sexy.
“Always,” I assure him. “I’ll always make Evie’s security my priority. I love her as if she’s my own daughter and would do anything to protect her.”
“I just worry about both of you and know you’ll do everything you can to keep her safe,” he says, pulling his hat off