Mercy (Somerset University #3) - Ruby Vincent Page 0,18
see you on the field. Talent recognizes talent.”
“I’ve got too much going on to commit to the team,” Maverick replied.
I listened close for a trace of regret.
“This was fun, though.”
Aiden shook his head. “At least come out and practice with us sometime. Next week.”
“Text me. I’ll let you know.”
My brows shot up an inch. When did they exchange numbers? Was this in an effort to get close to Aiden or did Maverick truly want to play football with this guy?
I asked as soon as the guys were out of earshot.
“The former,” he said. “You said last year that you had to do this alone because none of us had a reason to get close to Aiden. Now I do.” Maverick shifted Adam to the other hip and slipped his fingers through mine. We set off for the locker room at a slower pace. “I’m not about to join the football team but meeting up for a few games will give me an excuse to get to know the guy and what he’s about. I’m especially interested in just how much he knows about computers.”
I glanced at Adam and carefully chose my words. “The pretense is gone, Maverick. He knows we’re onto him. He knows that we—we as in you—looked him up in freshman year, and he knows that I don’t trust him and that my boyfriends aren’t about to trust him either.”
“There isn’t another way, Val. He’s got one more year on this campus and we’re no closer to figuring out why he’s stalking his brothers or why he had one kidnapped. I can’t pass up a chance to get close to the guy when he’s dangling it in my face.”
“I don’t like this.” I kissed his cheek. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Play ball with him in front of witnesses. Get lunch in crowded restaurants. If he asks you to run to the van to grab a keg, say no.”
Maverick threw me a lopsided smile. “It’s not so easy to haul me around, Val.”
Humming, I said, “I can attest to that. It’s like sleeping under a two-ton boulder when you roll on top of me in the night.”
“Dang. It’s not that bad, is it?”
“It’s not bad at all.” I dropped my flirty tone. “But still, Maverick...”
“No keg runs for me. Promise.”
We stopped just outside of the locker room. A chorus of slammed lockers, squeaky sneakers, and rattling pipes poured out.
Maverick put Adam on his feet. “Are you taking Adam back home or sticking around? I was thinking of swinging by my parents’ place.”
“Actually, we’re meeting a few of the sisters at that cupcake place by the south entrance. We’ll see you at home.”
We kissed goodbye, and Adam and I left the stadium. The walk across campus was twenty minutes. I opted for the scenic route, pointing out a few of my favorite places to Adam.
“That’s where Auntie Fia and I lay out a blanket and study on the quad,” I told him. “You can claim that spot too when you go to school here.”
“I’m going here too?”
“Yes, sir.” Our clasped hands swung between us. “It’s a local school for you, my boy, because Mommy couldn’t stand it if you went out of state. Promise you’ll never leave me?”
“I promise.” He swore it so solemnly, I half expected him to cross his heart.
“You know, I’m going to hold you to all of these promises. Doesn’t matter that you’re six.” I tickle-attacked him. Adam squealed and tried to run. I scooped him up, peppering his cheeks with kisses. “A promise is a promise.”
“Promise is a promise,” he repeated.
My face threatened to crack, my smile stretched that wide. “Why are you so cute?”
“Because you’re my mommy.”
Jaxson taught him that reply. It served to warm my heart every time.
“You get two cupcakes for that.”
Adam was predictably thrilled.
Cupcake Queen was a recent addition to our campus. They opened shortly before school let out for the summer, and in that finals week, Sofia and I squeezed in four visits. We gave an establishment plenty of tryouts before we included it in our favorites. We were diligent like that. And Cupcake Queen quickly rose to the top.
Inside was a pink, sweet-scented haven of colorful booths, pink chandeliers, and tiny lamps overhead covered with a pink shade. Teagan and the girls occupied the booth in the middle. They munched on their cupcakes and two empty seats waited at the end for us to join.
I let Adam run to the display case. He put his face to the