Chapter 1 Alternative POV - Trace
The days were ticking. For the fifth straight day, I shot baskets alone at my net in the driveway where I’d spent much of my childhood.
Being back from college for the summer had definitely not been the plan. But, there I was. Under my mother’s roof, feeling like a kid again. She expected check-ins and explanations where I’d been when I slept out or didn’t show for dinner. She was driving me slowly mad.
I missed school. I missed football. I’d spoken to Caden who was spending all of his time with Finlay, but I wondered if the rest of them were feeling as cooped up as I was. I nabbed the basketball and made another shot, wondering if I’d last at home for another month. I grabbed the ball and attempted a three-pointer. The ball bounced off the rim and went bouncing into the road.
I made to go for it but realized a car had jammed on the breaks to avoid it. I jogged out in front of the car, bending to grab the ball. As I stood up, I glanced to see Marin behind the wheel. My heart stuttered. She was the mom in the neighborhood who’d been a head turner even when I was in middle school. One I had many wet dreams about. She was younger than most—maybe ten years older than me—but she’d married an older douchebag who ended up cheating on her and leaving her a single mom.
I flashed a wide smile—the one that got girls on campus to melt. I knew my dimples dug into the sides of my mouth. Girls loved the dimples. I laughed to myself, knowing Marin would likely be immune to them.
I walked around to the side of my car, wondering what charming thing I could offer. She lowered the country music on her radio and tried to dust something off the front of her shirt. I hadn’t seen her in a long time and, by God, she hadn’t changed one bit. Her blonde hair still reflected the sun with a shine that looked like she spent hours at the beach each day. The soft dusting of freckles on her nose and cheeks definitely gave her the young look that made me forget we weren’t in college together.
“Hey,” I said, ducking my head to look into her car window. “I haven't seen you in a while.”
She smiled. “Yeah.” Her eyes drifting over the shirt stretched across my chest. Oh. I affected her. “Last time I saw you, you were skateboarding around here like a maniac.” She must’ve realized she was still staring at my chest and not my face because her eyes jumped to mine.
“I haven't skateboarded since junior high,” I said with laughter, running my hand through my hair. Is that really that last time she saw me? God, that was middle school.
She laughed uncomfortably, as if she really couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen me. I understood. She had a little kid. Her life must’ve revolved around him—especially after the douche cheated on her and left her. “Sorry. I guess life happened.”
“Yeah. I heard you had a kid,” I said. Since my mom was the neighborhood gossip who couldn’t keep a secret to save her life, so she felt compelled to keep me up to date on everything she knew about everyone in the neighborhood. Most times I zoned out and didn’t even listen, but when she mentioned Marin, I definitely listened.
Marin nodded. “CJ. He’s five. He kind of reminds me of you when you were younger.”
My brows shot up. “Wild?”
She snickered and the sound went right to my dick. “Happy.”
My eyes lingered on hers. God, she was gorgeous. And vulnerable. And exactly what I needed in my life this summer.
“So.” She cleared her throat, breaking the silence I’d created. “How do you like college?”
I smirked. Was she talking about football or girls? “It’s treating me all right,” I said, knowing that would give her just enough to know that I was not the same boy she remembered. I was all man.
Her eyes narrowed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re laughing at me?”
I shook my head slowly, my eyes remaining on hers and giving it to her straight. “I’m not laughing.”
“Then what don’t I understand?”
“I’m Alabama’s number one receiver,” I explained, because she clearly had not kept up on my life the way I’d kept up on hers.
Her eyes rounded, embarrassed. “Sorry. I should probably know that, shouldn’t I?”
I laughed to myself. “I’m surprised my mother hasn’t told you.”
She shrugged and sadness flashed in her eyes. “I kind of keep to myself these days.”
“Yeah. I heard you’re getting divorced.”
Her eyes lowered as if she should be embarrassed by anything that happened to her.
Oh, hell no. “Never liked the guy,” I admitted.
Her eyes lifted back to mine and I could see the relief in them. “No?”
I scoffed, the vision of the tightly-wound idiot flashing in my mind. “Hell, no. The guy seemed like a total douche.”
She threw back her head and laughter tumbled out of her. She looked so happy and carefree. I liked knowing I’d brought that out of her. There were lots of other things I’d like to bring out of her too, if I was being honest with myself. “So, what are you up to this summer?” she asked, like we were just two college kids shooting the shit.
As much as I hated being home, I knew why I’d decided to return as opposed to getting a beach house with some of my teammates. I needed to be number one this year. I needed the pro teams vying for me. “Working out so I’m ready for the season, and making some cash. You know Lou’s Beach Bar?”
“Do I?” She laughed as if she’d spent many drunken nights there as a college girl. I would’ve loved to see that. “My friends and I practically lived there when we were in college…God. That was so long ago.”
“Yeah. Cuz you’re so old,” I said, knowing age didn’t matter to me. I’d hooked up with girls of all ages. That’s what college was all about. Having fun. Spreading your wings. Finding what made me happy. And I’d found plenty to make me happy over the last three years.
“That was another life,” she mused.
“You’re getting a divorce. Your life didn’t end,” I said, knowing her husband cheating was the best fucking thing that could’ve happened to her. “Why’d you ask what I was doing this summer?”
She swallowed hard, as if she’d asked me something inappropriate. “I might have a proposition for you.”
I quirked my brow. A proposition? No shit. “I like where this is going.”
“I need a guy around.”
This was getting better by the minute, and the funny thing was she had no idea. “You don’t say?”
“For CJ,” she quickly added. Oh, I was definitely disarming her. “Camp ends soon and I need someone to spend some time with him. You know, play catch or something. His father never really takes the time to do that when he sees him. I don’t want him to be an awkward, uncoordinated kid.”
There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d let that poor kid flounder. “Yeah. That would suck.”
“Well?” she continued. “You up for the challenge?”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from hers even if I tried. She was inviting me into her life. She was giving me the green light. And whether she was using her kid to do it, or she really needed my help, I didn’t care. I’d get to spend time with her. I’d get to give this kid something his shitty father hadn’t. It was a win-win for me. “I’m always up for a challenge.”
Her eyes widened, and I would’ve given anything to hear her thoughts.
“When do you want me to stop by?” I asked, hoping she said today.
“Oh. Whenever you can. Just text me. Do you have your phone on you?”
I slipped my hand into my pocket. Her eyes followed the motion, lingering on my shorts. Her cheeks reddened and I knew, with much certainty, that this summer was going to turn out alright after all. I cleared my throat, dying to watch her reaction to me catching her staring.
Her eyes jumped to mine, her bright red cheeks the best thing I’d seen in a long time.
“What is it?”
She told me her number, and I punched it into my phone. Then, she said, “Marin.”
I glanced to her, not understanding why she added her name. “You don’t think I know your name?”
She shrugged. “Most kids don’t pay attention to stuff like that.”
“I’m not a kid,” I assured her, my voice dropping to show just how much of a man I’d become. “And I did pay attention.”
I watched her face for any indication that my words affected her, but she quickly replied, “Well, just text me when you’re around. I’ll make sure CJ and I are home.”
I nodded, stepping back from her car with my eyes still taking in her pretty face. How could her husband cheat. Didn’t he realize what he had?
“I really appreciate this,” she assured me.
“Not a problem, Marin,” I said, making sure to say her name. Making a point to show how much I did pay attention.
She didn’t say anything else before pulling away.
I crossed my arms and didn’t move from my spot in the road, watching her until her car disappeared around the corner. I may not have been living with my teammates for the summer, or bar hopping every night with different girls, but this summer was shaping up to be one for the record books. And I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out.
Being back from college for the summer had definitely not been the plan. But, there I was. Under my mother’s roof, feeling like a kid again. She expected check-ins and explanations where I’d been when I slept out or didn’t show for dinner. She was driving me slowly mad.
I missed school. I missed football. I’d spoken to Caden who was spending all of his time with Finlay, but I wondered if the rest of them were feeling as cooped up as I was. I nabbed the basketball and made another shot, wondering if I’d last at home for another month. I grabbed the ball and attempted a three-pointer. The ball bounced off the rim and went bouncing into the road.
I made to go for it but realized a car had jammed on the breaks to avoid it. I jogged out in front of the car, bending to grab the ball. As I stood up, I glanced to see Marin behind the wheel. My heart stuttered. She was the mom in the neighborhood who’d been a head turner even when I was in middle school. One I had many wet dreams about. She was younger than most—maybe ten years older than me—but she’d married an older douchebag who ended up cheating on her and leaving her a single mom.
I flashed a wide smile—the one that got girls on campus to melt. I knew my dimples dug into the sides of my mouth. Girls loved the dimples. I laughed to myself, knowing Marin would likely be immune to them.
I walked around to the side of my car, wondering what charming thing I could offer. She lowered the country music on her radio and tried to dust something off the front of her shirt. I hadn’t seen her in a long time and, by God, she hadn’t changed one bit. Her blonde hair still reflected the sun with a shine that looked like she spent hours at the beach each day. The soft dusting of freckles on her nose and cheeks definitely gave her the young look that made me forget we weren’t in college together.
“Hey,” I said, ducking my head to look into her car window. “I haven't seen you in a while.”
She smiled. “Yeah.” Her eyes drifting over the shirt stretched across my chest. Oh. I affected her. “Last time I saw you, you were skateboarding around here like a maniac.” She must’ve realized she was still staring at my chest and not my face because her eyes jumped to mine.
“I haven't skateboarded since junior high,” I said with laughter, running my hand through my hair. Is that really that last time she saw me? God, that was middle school.
She laughed uncomfortably, as if she really couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen me. I understood. She had a little kid. Her life must’ve revolved around him—especially after the douche cheated on her and left her. “Sorry. I guess life happened.”
“Yeah. I heard you had a kid,” I said. Since my mom was the neighborhood gossip who couldn’t keep a secret to save her life, so she felt compelled to keep me up to date on everything she knew about everyone in the neighborhood. Most times I zoned out and didn’t even listen, but when she mentioned Marin, I definitely listened.
Marin nodded. “CJ. He’s five. He kind of reminds me of you when you were younger.”
My brows shot up. “Wild?”
She snickered and the sound went right to my dick. “Happy.”
My eyes lingered on hers. God, she was gorgeous. And vulnerable. And exactly what I needed in my life this summer.
“So.” She cleared her throat, breaking the silence I’d created. “How do you like college?”
I smirked. Was she talking about football or girls? “It’s treating me all right,” I said, knowing that would give her just enough to know that I was not the same boy she remembered. I was all man.
Her eyes narrowed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re laughing at me?”
I shook my head slowly, my eyes remaining on hers and giving it to her straight. “I’m not laughing.”
“Then what don’t I understand?”
“I’m Alabama’s number one receiver,” I explained, because she clearly had not kept up on my life the way I’d kept up on hers.
Her eyes rounded, embarrassed. “Sorry. I should probably know that, shouldn’t I?”
I laughed to myself. “I’m surprised my mother hasn’t told you.”
She shrugged and sadness flashed in her eyes. “I kind of keep to myself these days.”
“Yeah. I heard you’re getting divorced.”
Her eyes lowered as if she should be embarrassed by anything that happened to her.
Oh, hell no. “Never liked the guy,” I admitted.
Her eyes lifted back to mine and I could see the relief in them. “No?”
I scoffed, the vision of the tightly-wound idiot flashing in my mind. “Hell, no. The guy seemed like a total douche.”
She threw back her head and laughter tumbled out of her. She looked so happy and carefree. I liked knowing I’d brought that out of her. There were lots of other things I’d like to bring out of her too, if I was being honest with myself. “So, what are you up to this summer?” she asked, like we were just two college kids shooting the shit.
As much as I hated being home, I knew why I’d decided to return as opposed to getting a beach house with some of my teammates. I needed to be number one this year. I needed the pro teams vying for me. “Working out so I’m ready for the season, and making some cash. You know Lou’s Beach Bar?”
“Do I?” She laughed as if she’d spent many drunken nights there as a college girl. I would’ve loved to see that. “My friends and I practically lived there when we were in college…God. That was so long ago.”
“Yeah. Cuz you’re so old,” I said, knowing age didn’t matter to me. I’d hooked up with girls of all ages. That’s what college was all about. Having fun. Spreading your wings. Finding what made me happy. And I’d found plenty to make me happy over the last three years.
“That was another life,” she mused.
“You’re getting a divorce. Your life didn’t end,” I said, knowing her husband cheating was the best fucking thing that could’ve happened to her. “Why’d you ask what I was doing this summer?”
She swallowed hard, as if she’d asked me something inappropriate. “I might have a proposition for you.”
I quirked my brow. A proposition? No shit. “I like where this is going.”
“I need a guy around.”
This was getting better by the minute, and the funny thing was she had no idea. “You don’t say?”
“For CJ,” she quickly added. Oh, I was definitely disarming her. “Camp ends soon and I need someone to spend some time with him. You know, play catch or something. His father never really takes the time to do that when he sees him. I don’t want him to be an awkward, uncoordinated kid.”
There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d let that poor kid flounder. “Yeah. That would suck.”
“Well?” she continued. “You up for the challenge?”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from hers even if I tried. She was inviting me into her life. She was giving me the green light. And whether she was using her kid to do it, or she really needed my help, I didn’t care. I’d get to spend time with her. I’d get to give this kid something his shitty father hadn’t. It was a win-win for me. “I’m always up for a challenge.”
Her eyes widened, and I would’ve given anything to hear her thoughts.
“When do you want me to stop by?” I asked, hoping she said today.
“Oh. Whenever you can. Just text me. Do you have your phone on you?”
I slipped my hand into my pocket. Her eyes followed the motion, lingering on my shorts. Her cheeks reddened and I knew, with much certainty, that this summer was going to turn out alright after all. I cleared my throat, dying to watch her reaction to me catching her staring.
Her eyes jumped to mine, her bright red cheeks the best thing I’d seen in a long time.
“What is it?”
She told me her number, and I punched it into my phone. Then, she said, “Marin.”
I glanced to her, not understanding why she added her name. “You don’t think I know your name?”
She shrugged. “Most kids don’t pay attention to stuff like that.”
“I’m not a kid,” I assured her, my voice dropping to show just how much of a man I’d become. “And I did pay attention.”
I watched her face for any indication that my words affected her, but she quickly replied, “Well, just text me when you’re around. I’ll make sure CJ and I are home.”
I nodded, stepping back from her car with my eyes still taking in her pretty face. How could her husband cheat. Didn’t he realize what he had?
“I really appreciate this,” she assured me.
“Not a problem, Marin,” I said, making sure to say her name. Making a point to show how much I did pay attention.
She didn’t say anything else before pulling away.
I crossed my arms and didn’t move from my spot in the road, watching her until her car disappeared around the corner. I may not have been living with my teammates for the summer, or bar hopping every night with different girls, but this summer was shaping up to be one for the record books. And I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out.