Quarterback Keeper (Fall Lake Ballers #1)

Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

KYLIAN

I jogged up the four flights of stairs to Mom’s apartment then let myself in with my key. With the door open, I stopped short at the sight of Mom and Gia sitting together on the couch, drinking tea.

“Ah, hey.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I didn’t know you were coming by today, Gia.” What the heck is she doing here?

“Hi.” She smiled, if a little shyly. “I wasn’t doing anything, so I figured I could stop by. I know we’re coming for dinner tomorrow night, but I was free now, so… What are you doing here? I thought you had class today.”

“The professor had an emergency, and it was cancelled. Skipping lunch gave me more time.”

“Good.” Mom grinned, looking refreshed and happy, which set me at ease over Gia being there. “Wait till you taste what Gia made us for lunch. It’s in the kitchen. Get some, and bring it in here to eat with us.”

“Okay.” I was more confused than ever.

Gia excused herself to help me, and I followed.

In the kitchen, she dropped her voice to a whisper while she plated a chicken and vegetable dish. “Hey, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was here.” She shrugged then sank her teeth into her bottom lip before releasing it. “I just thought that since you’re so busy, I could stop by and help your mom sometimes.”

“Thank you.” I touched her shoulder then let my hand drop to my side. “It means a lot to me.”

“It’s not a problem. I like your mom, and I miss my uncle. It’s good for me too.”

She was turning out to be so much more than I’d expected. To distract myself from how much I was softening toward her, I opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water and was greeted by rows of containers with Post-it notes. “Did Mom order a food service?”

“Ah, no. That was me.”

“Really?” I pulled one out, impressed by what she’d done in such a short time. And Mom—she looked so happy. I rubbed my chest, trying to soothe the ache over how touched I was by Gia’s actions. I put the food back, grabbed some water, then accepted the plate of food she held out with a hand devoid of jewelry.

“Wait, where’s your ring?” A slight jolt of panic shot through me. Had she lost it? I hadn’t told her, but the diamond ring had been my grandmother’s. I took the plate from her and set it down on the counter.

“It’s in my pocket. I assumed you would want us to tell her together.”

I grinned. “I do, and thanks for thinking about what would mean the most to her.”

She nodded, and an unexpected wave of longing filled me on the heels of my gratitude. It made me want to reach out and give her something too. “Hey, you know you can trust me.” I got the feeling she didn’t do that often—let people in, well, aside from my mom. “I would like to be your friend.”

Her shoulders dropped about an inch, and she tilted her head back to look at me. “Thanks, I’d like that.”

She was so damn pretty that I acted on instinct. My hand cupped her cheek, and I leaned in to brush my lips over hers. But when Mom walked in, we both jerked apart.

Gia rushed over to take the teacup and saucer rattling in Mom’s hand. “Did you need a refill?”

“That would be lovely.” Mom squeezed her shoulder, then Gia became a flurry of motion, getting hot water from the kettle on the stove and steeping a new tea bag in the cup. She carried it into the other room for her, leaving Mom and me alone for a minute. I picked up my plate to follow Gia when Mom’s hand on my arm stopped me.

“I really like her, Kylian. I mean, look at everything she’s done for me.”

“The meals?” I tipped my head toward the fridge, making a mental note to give Gia a credit card for groceries.

“She didn’t want me to tell you, but yes. That and she’s come over the past few days to clean and stay to chat. We’d planned to go for a walk to get some exercise later today.” Tears misted Mom’s eyes. “It’s just so nice having her here.”

I pulled her into my side, shocked and a little in awe of the person with whom I’d embarked on a fake relationship that felt more real by the second.