Cocky Striker - Evan Grace Page 0,43
her. “You better run, naughty girl.”
She hops down and takes off toward the bathroom, but I’m bigger and faster. I catch her almost immediately. I toss Laken onto the bed and crawl toward her as she laughs and tries to get away. I grab her ankle and pull her until I completely cover her body.
Laken’s chest rises and falls, her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. Her hand palms my dick, which is now hard—it’s constant state around her—and gives a squeeze.
I moan and grab her wrist. “Oh, you’re going to get it,” I say just before I rip her bottoms off and go about eating, and it’s definitely not dinner.
Chapter Seventeen
Laken
I hold tightly to Ava’s hand as we walk through the mall. I’ve been shopping all day, trying to find the perfect gift for Chance, but what do you get someone who has everything?
Ava picked him out a soccer ball key chain. I’ve ended up buying him a couple t-shirts, which is lame, but I was trying to find out what he wanted without coming right out and asking him.
We’re going to do our gift exchange after Christmas since we’re going to be so busy with family stuff. I miss him, though, and I know it’s probably not healthy that I miss him this much, but I’ve never connected with another person the way I’ve connected with him.
Things with Brandon got intense quick, but that was only because he knew what to say to make me fall hard and fast. In the end it was all bullshit and betrayal.
“Mommy, can I see Santa?” Ava pulls on my hand, trying to pull me toward the line.
“Okay, love bug. Let’s get in line.” Her little body vibrates with excitement, and it makes me smile.
Ava tugs on my hand. “Mommy, I gonna ask for a kitty, Fwozen jammies, a new teddy, and a skaboard so I can skaboard wit Uncle Jay.”
“Baby, that’s skateboard.”
She puts her little hand on her hip. “Das what I said.”
I shake my head at miss sassy pants. “No attitude, miss thang, or we won’t see Santa.”
That’s the ticket right there to get her to stop.
When it’s our turn, Ava runs right up to Santa and climbs onto his lap. I stand off to the side, smiling while my daughter tells him all the things she wants for Christmas while waving her hands in the air. After she’s done, he hands her a candy cane and his “elf” hands me the picture that cost thirty freaking dollars.
She takes my hand, and we head toward the food court. We’re almost to McDonald’s when I freeze, and my body starts to shake. Up ahead with his wife and kids is Brandon.
He turns and sees me, and his eyes widen. Then his eyes go to Ava; his wife stops and turns. Her eyes going to my daughter, and I immediately scoop my daughter up in my arms.
“Mommy, I’m hungry.” Ava whines as I start hustling through the crowd.
“We’ll stop at In and Out burger, okay?”
“Yay! Das my favewite.” I’m glad my girl is oblivious to the wreck that I am right now. Once we reach my car, I get Ava buckled in and climb into the driver’s seat and take a moment.
I haven’t seen Brandon or his wife since I had to testify against him. Honestly, I’m surprised she stayed with him, but as long as he stays away from me and my daughter, I don’t care what they do.
After lunch, we head home. While Ava takes her nap, I quickly wrap Chance’s gifts and stick them under the tree. I grab the picture of Ava with Santa and take a picture of it.
I send it to Chance.
Laken: We went to see Santa today. I hope you’re kicking ass.
I wish I could’ve gone to his games, but it wasn’t going to work out. I get on Facebook and pull up our school sports page. A picture of Chance all sweaty pops up, and I feel a fluttery feeling in my stomach.
The post says: Chance Bateman scored a record breaking five goals. What a way to end his SDU soccer playing career.
I smile because I’m so freaking proud of him.
***
I grab a cup of coffee and sit at the breakfast bar. Christmas is officially over, and I’m kind of glad. Of course, I enjoyed watching my girl open her presents and spending time with my parents, but I missed Chance.
We’ve barely talked because we’ve both been busy. He loved the