The Way We Play (Bradford Boys #2)

Chapter 12

12

Rachel

“ I can’t drive Logan’s Rover!” I’m standing in the kitchen cringing at the fob while Dylan hands me a travel mug of coffee and opens an overhead cabinet.

“I’d loan you my bike, but it’s kind of a haul up to Miss Gina’s, and the road’s so narrow. It’s not safe.”

Chewing my lip, I study the silver mug. “But if something happens, I’m in a better position to fix a bike than a Range Rover.”

“Nothing’s going to happen.” She snorts a laugh, pulling down the box of pop-tarts and shaking it. “We’re almost out of these, and I know Eddie loves them. Want to walk with me to the restaurant and see what’s cooking?”

“Yes!” I do a little hop, and I rush over to grab my bag and yoga mat.

Dylan is in her cutoffs and Cooters & Shooters shirt, but I’m ready for work in my light green scrubs. She slips her bare feet into a pair of flip-flops, and we take off down the hill.

It’s a short walk, and she chats about wedding flowers and the latest batch of bridal bouquets Clint sent for her to approve, but my mind keeps slipping back to Zane Bradford standing in my bedroom last night in all his tortured glory.

I was furious with him, even after he apologized. His apology actually made me madder, because he can be kind. I’ve seen it. Yet there he stood, broad shoulders rising with his breath, that sexy muscle tensing his jaw.

His eyes moved all over my face like he was memorizing everything, letting me say my piece. His gorgeous blue eyes were so tired, and he actually did seem sorry. But why won’t he let me help him?

He keeps me at arm’s distance, yet he keeps coming back. The intensity in his eyes could burn me to pieces, but he holds the reins so tightly.

He tries to stay aloof and detached, but he’s lost so much. I know it has to affect him, but it’s almost like he wants to feel the pain for some messed up reason. As nervous as I am about driving Logan’s Rover, I need to get to Miss Gina’s before he does. Before he has the chance to change his mind.

“What do you think?” Dylan turns her phone to show me a gorgeous bunch of long-stemmed, pure-white lilies tied with a simple, white bow.

“They’re breathtaking!” I put my hand on my chest.

“That’s what I said last night, and he sent me three more bouquet options this morning! What am I going to do, Rachel?” She wails, resting her head on my shoulder.

“Could it be because of Craig?” Her head pops up, and I explain. “He knows how important you are to each other. He’s probably scared he’s going to let you down somehow and Craig will be mad.”

“Hmm…” She chews her lip, holding the screen door for me to enter the kitchen. “I didn’t think about that. But what can I do? I’ve already told Craig he’s driving me crazy.”

“I think you just have to put up with it til June. ”

“No!” she cries, placing both hands on her face. “I can’t take any more flower texts!”

“Hey, girls!” Allie skips past. “What are y’all talking about? Yoga? When are we doing it again?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at school?” Dylan straightens. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to take this guy to the doctor, so we’re checking in late.” Allie slides her phone into the pocket of her khaki pants. “I stopped by for some coffee and one of Thomas’s beignets. Oh no!”

She dusts powdered sugar off her beige wrap-sweater. Her dark hair is tied back in a ponytail and little pieces escape around her cheeks. Austin stands beside her looking tired.

“Are you sick, babe?” Dylan reaches up on tiptoes to feel his forehead. “I swear you’ve grown another foot since school started.”

“I’m fine,” he grumbles like a typical sixteen-year-old boy. “I couldn’t sleep last night.”

“I’ve never heard of a teenage boy not sleeping.” Allie crosses her arms, looking up at him worried.

“Sometimes if you grow too fast, it keeps you awake.” I wrinkle my nose at his mom. “Growing pains are real, and he’s right at the age for it. Try a heating pad.”

He nods, walking over to the door. “Mom, I can’t miss history class. Our exam is Friday.”

“More like, who ever heard of a teenage boy not wanting to miss school?” Dylan mutters.

“Hey,” Allie catches my hand. “I was talking to Zane last night, and he suggested I bring Eddie with me to school a few days a week to kind-of get him used to the place, help him find the bathrooms, you know. Is that okay?”

“Really?” My eyes blink wide.

“Yeah, Zane said he loves to read, and I can always use a library aide. He can hang out with me, maybe shelve some books. I’ll talk to Ms. Laverne, but I’m sure she won’t mind. ”

“Definitely! Text me what to do. I can bring him by your house, or?—”

“Zane said he’d drop him off on the way to Gloria’s.”

Zane did this.

“Mom!” Austin pushes through the door, and she gives me a quick wave.

“Okay?”

I nod, a grateful smile splitting my cheeks. “Okay! And thank you!”

“Sure thing.”

Allie takes off after her son, and when I turn back, Dylan has one hand on her hip and powdered sugar on her lips.

“Can you believe that brother of mine?” She shakes her head, polishing off her beignet. “He acts all stoic and aloof, then he does something so sweet like that.”

“Don’t forget the horses.” My chest burns, and I feel bad for fussing at him the way I did last night in my bedroom. “I’d better get to Miss Gina’s. I’ve got to take care of something.”

“Here, take a beignet!” She quickly wraps one of the small yeast donuts in a napkin and shakes powdered sugar all over it.

“I’m not eating this in Logan’s car. He’ll kill me!”

“Eat it on the walk.” She gives me a hug, and I’m out the door, stuffing the delicious, sugary pastry into my mouth.

Driving to Miss Gina’s, all the things he’s done filter through my head, from the equine therapy to the books to him driving Edward all around…

He broke through the door when he thought I’d fainted in the shower. My cheeks heat when I remember opening my eyes to him staring down at me, soaking wet and worried.

Last night in my bedroom he said it was more than just a kiss.

It certainly was more to me, because I was kissing him. Is it possible he felt the same? How would I ever know with the way he runs from me?

I park in the circle drive and quickly dash up the steps to Miss Gina’s house. I need to check on her and get her all set so I can prepare the massage table.

“Rachel, I’m so glad you’re here.” She’s finishing her breakfast when I enter the dining room. “The nursery called, and they’re delivering my Christmas tree today!”

“Oh.” I hesitate, looking over my shoulder at the patio. “Did they tell you what time?”

“After lunch, and my niece Alexis called. She’s driving down for a visit as well.” The old lady holds up both hands. “When it rains it pours!”

“I’ll take care of it.” I walk over and catch her hands, smiling. “Don’t worry about anything.”

Her face relaxes, and her eyes narrow. “Something changed. You haven’t smiled in three days—and you left early every afternoon.”

Chewing my lip, I look around, thinking fast. I’m not about to tell her I’m planning to put my hands all over Zane Bradford and make him fall in love with me today. Not after her Nuru massage comments yesterday—good lord!

“Ah, Allie offered to take Edward with her to the library for the next few weeks—until he starts school in January. She said he could be her aide and get to know the other kids and figure out the campus.”

“That’s wonderful!” Miss Gina’s eyes light, and I’ve successfully got her off the Zane trail. “Although I’ll miss having Eddie Nashville around the house. He knows so much about everything. I felt like I was back in school just talking to him.”

“Right…” My voice trails off. “The other kids don’t always find it so charming.”

“Now don’t think yourself out of happiness. Knowledge is power!”

“I know, I know, but middle schoolers aren’t known for appreciating things.”

“Middle schoolers have self-esteem issues. The sooner he learns that, the better. ”

She has no idea how difficult that lesson is to learn, especially for twelve-year-old boys.

“I’ll try.”

“You know, middle schoolers didn’t always think little blind girls were charming either.” She holds out a hand, and I take it. “Very few, in fact. They didn’t like me getting special attention from the teacher, and they especially didn’t like how my eyes didn’t look in the right direction. For a long time, I wore those heavy, dark glasses to cover them.”

“Oh, no…” I lean down, hugging her bony shoulders. “I’ve never even considered that. You’re always so sunny and upbeat. Why are kids such jerks?”

“I don’t know, but some are real meanies. You tell my friend Eddie Nashville he’s welcome here anytime he needs someone to talk to.”

“I love you.” I grin, giving her another squeeze. “And I’ve got some more news—one of us finally convinced Zane Bradford to let me work on his back. Would you mind if I did that for a few hours this morning?”

Her lips form an O and her brows rise. “How exciting! You know I worry about my handsome handyman. He carries a lot of weight on those broad shoulders, and now you get to put your hands all over them.”

My eyes narrow, and I tilt my head. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

“How does a blind person know Zane Bradford is handsome and has broad shoulders?”

“He does, doesn’t he?” She grins mischievously, and I realize I walked right into her trap. “He sounds like he’d have nice muscles, too.”

“What does someone with nice muscles sound like?” A slant is in my eyes.

“His voice is clear and strong, and he doesn’t wheeze or sound like he gets tired easily. These are all very good signs—means he has great stamina.” Her eyebrows waggle .

“Miss G!” My voice rises, and she puts a hand over her mouth as she laughs. “All that might be true, and he does seem to have a nice physique under his clothes?—”

“You’ll find out this morning.”

“It still doesn’t mean he’s handsome. He could have great stamina and not be good-looking.”

“He is, though. I bet he has a square jaw like Mr. Darcy.”

“He does.” I lean closer. “And dark hair and cool-blue eyes.”

She exhales a little squeal. “Go set up the massage table, and take as long as you need! Don’t worry about me.”

Shaking my head, I make my way to the patio. “I do worry about you. Call me if you need anything.”

“I won’t need anything. I have a very important audiobook to finish. I’ll have headphones on, and I won’t hear a thing if you’d like to test out some of that Nuru?—”

“Stop!” My voice goes louder. “I can’t talk to you about that. It’s too weird.”

Turning, I head for the glass and wrought-iron patio door as her voice titters behind me.

Every time we get close, Zane Bradford shuts me down, but I’m starting to see a pattern to his behavior. He keeps reaching out, but he pulls back before he can touch the flame.

Only, I felt what he wanted in that kiss. I felt it on my stomach, and I felt it in the strength of his arms around me. He tried to downplay it. He tried to push me away, and he almost had me convinced.

He told me to trust him, but he’s going to trust me, too. We’ve both carried burdens and survived loss. He holds his pain close like a secret, but my job is to relieve pain. He’s been doing everything to help me, but now it’s my turn to help him.

I know how to survive, and I’m ready to play.