Free Until Now (Not Yet #2) by Laura Ward Page B

year. I’m hoping to get drafted this spring, so I knew if I wanted to graduate with a degree, I’d need to do it early.”
    Grace’s eyes widened. “Wow, the NFL. That’s so exciting, Dean. Although after watching you play at that game, I understand why. You were fantastic.”
    “Thanks, Red,” I grinned and opened my book.
    Grace took a drink of water, and I watched her swallow. I wasn’t going to get any studying done at this rate. I also didn’t give a shit.
    “Can I ask you a favor?” Grace asked.
    “Of course.” I moved to face her.
    Grace marked her place in her text with a pencil and shut the book. “When I took Finn to the game to see you, he asked me all about football. I didn’t know how to answer many of his questions. Would you teach me so that I can help him understand the game?”
    Two things happened at the same time. My chest heated with the thought that I could help Grace and that she trusted me enough to ask me for this. My stomach sank, though, when I realized that if she was asking me for help, she couldn’t or wouldn’t ask Finn’s dad.
    “Grace, I’d be happy to do that. I can teach Finn the basics too if you want.” I laced my fingers with hers. If I was going to get to know all of her, and if she was going to let me in, I had to continue. “You can’t ask Finn’s dad?”
    Grace closed her eyes and inhaled a big breath, blowing it out slowly. “Dean, I’ll tell you. I promise. This is mortifying to say to you because it solidifies my nerd status, but tonight is the best night I’ve had in so long… I can’t right now. Okay?”
    This was the best night she’d had in a long time? We just kissed. We were attempting to study together. Pain shot through my chest when I contemplated how tough Grace’s life was, and how easy I had it. I wanted to make her feel better. I wanted to heal her and touch her and…
    But I would wait. “Okay, Red.” I kissed each corner of her mouth. “Then let me hold you tonight. When you’re ready to talk, just know I’m here.”
    I meant every word. No matter where football took me, I wanted to be there for Grace. At the very least, as a friend. But after kissing her, I hoped it would be as a whole lot more than just friends.
     
    ***
     
    “WHO WANTS PIZZA?” I walked into Grace’s apartment carrying a liter of soda and three large pizza boxes. I’d eat at least one all by myself. Our team was leaving the next day for an away game in Maryland. I’d be gone for a few days, so when Grace invited me to join her and Finn for movie night, I was stoked.
    “Pizza’s my favorite food!” Finn shouted, and I shot Grace a wink.
    “Your sweet mama told me that, Just Finn.” I placed the boxes on the coffee table and leaned over to kiss Grace’s cheek. “You good, Red?”
    She blushed.
    That woman made me hard from her damn blush. Also from speaking. Oh, and from kissing my thumb.
    Okay, anything Grace did made me hard.
    Grace nodded, a soft smile spreading across her face before she headed into the kitchen. She came back with plates, napkins, and cups.
    “Do you like the Minions movie, Dean?” Finn held up a DVD. “Miss Sylvie gave me this one for my birthday!”
    “I haven’t seen it, but it looks cool. Put it in.” I sat back on the sofa and flipped open the box of cheese pizza. “When’s your birthday, little dude?”
    “September twenty-second!” He jumped up and down. “I didn’t have a party this year cause Mama is in school, but next year she will have a job, and I get a party! I want to have a pool party. No, a bouncy-house party. No, a football party.” He stopped jumping and looked down at his feet. “Would you come if I have a football party?”
    My stomach sank. If all went according to plan, I’d be at the height of football season in September. Living in the state of the team I would be playing for. A state that could be across the country. But damn, if I could, I’d be at that little dude’s birthday party. Finn