Cocky Striker - Evan Grace Page 0,35

keep coming over talking to Chance.

After we finish eating, he leads me out onto the patio where we have another drink. While Chance drinks his beer, and I drink my sangria. I use a bit of liquid courage and turn to him.

I’m ready to tell him about Ava’s sperm donor. I open my mouth to start talking, but a girl squeals his name. The next thing I know a whole group of guys and girls our age surround him, and I’m shoved back.

I stand there waiting for him to introduce me, to grab my hand … something, but he does neither of those things.

Chapter Fourteen

Chance

I take a sip of my beer and glance around the crowd. I don’t spot Laken anywhere. Honestly, I haven’t seen her since she stepped inside. I stop a couple of my buddies I grew up with. “Have you seen the girl I was here with?”

“No, sorry,” Sean says.

My phone dings, and I see it’s a text from my dad—they must be home.

Dad: Where are you?

I quickly type out a return text.

Chance: We’re at Joker’s. Is something wrong?

The dots begin bouncing immediately.

Chance: Is there a reason Laken was sitting on our front steps when we got home? Is there a reason you’re not here with her?

Fuck, when did she leave? Why didn’t she tell me she wanted to go? I don’t even say bye to my friends. I rush out to the parking lot and climb into Laken’s car. The restaurant is only four blocks from my parents’ house, and it takes no time to reach it.

I pull into the driveway and climb out. Dad steps outside and sits on the steps. That’s his signal for “sit your ass down”

“How was Disney?”

“We had a lot of fun. She’s a sweet girl. Laken’s done well with her.” He’s silent for a moment. “She told your mom that she tried to tell you she was ready to leave, and you ignored her multiple times. When your friends showed up they basically shoved her out of the way, and you let them. I raised you better than that.”

“I didn’t mean to ignore her like that. I wasn’t expecting to run into a bunch people I knew. Everyone was in my face, and I just got caught up in catching up with them.” I scrub my hands over my face. “Did I mess this up too much?” I turn to look at my dad. “This is why I don’t have relationships. I suck at them.”

“Son, everything has always come easy to you; your grades, sports, girls. Laken is far from easy. I don’t mean that in a bad way. You’re just not used to having to work for something the way you have to work for her.” Dad shakes his head. “You don’t suck at relationships; you’re just finding your way through unfamiliar territory. Apologize to her and mean it.”

I nod and stand. He follows suit, and we head into the house. Mom’s sitting at the kitchen table drinking a glass of wine and stroking Pixy’s back. “Where’s Laken?”

“She went to look in on Ava.” She looks at her phone. “She’s been in there for a while.”

I come around the table and kiss her cheek. “I’m going to go check on them.”

I open the door slowly, peeking inside. I find Laken lying in bed with Ava tucked tightly to her front. I step further into the room and toe my shoes off then climb into bed.

I fit myself to her back, wrapping my arm around both of my girls.

Laken stiffens. “Chance?” Her voice is barely a whisper.

“I am so freaking sorry, baby. I acted like a real asshole tonight, and I’m sorry.” I kiss her right behind her ear.

“T-that really hurt me. I felt so stupid standing there, and every time I tried to talk to you someone would get in our way. Your mom texted me they were on their way home, so I said screw it and walked.”

Shame fills me, and heaviness hits my gut. I squeeze her tight, kissing the back of her head. “I promise that will never happen again. I’m new at this relationship stuff, and I’m gonna make mistakes; please be patient with me.”

“Okay.” That is all she says before lacing her fingers through mine, and together we hold Ava tightly to her momma.

***

The rest of the week goes by in a blur. After we leave my parents, I take Laken and Ava home. I want to hang out with them, but I