Free Kickoff for Love by Amelia Whitmore Page B

greeted. 
    "Hey, Coach.” Andy said a little nervously. 
    Angela spoke up. "Well don't just stand there, you two. Sit down.” She said, pointing to the two empty plates on the table. Without releasing his hand, I led Andy to the table and sat, scooting over on our bench seats so he could sit by me. 
    I glanced at Dad and he was giving me a look that asked 'are you okay?' I just nodded and gave him a sad smile, telling him 'right now I'm sad. But I'll be okay in the morning,' because it was true. Everything seems so much worse when it happens. I'll wake up tomorrow and be much calmer, and feel a bit embarrassed at how I handled myself today.  .  .  hopefully. 
    "Bonjour, mon nom est Angela.” She greeted. When Andy looked over at me and looked completely confused, I translated. "That's Angela, and she says hello. She's my mother.” I told him, noticing the look of surprise when I introduced her as such. 
    He nodded. "Hello, I'm Andy.” He said almost shyly. 
    Perry smiled brightly. "I Perry. This my little broder, Louis.” He said with a cute smile on his face. 
    Andy grinned at them. "Nice to meet you both. How old are you guys?" He asked in a gentle voice. 
    "I four.” Perry piped up and let Louis answer for himself. 
    "Two.” Louis said quietly, holding up three fingers. I reached across the table and put my finger on the third one. 
    "Remember what we were working on buddy?" I asked. He looked at his hand and smiled. "Oops.” He giggled and lowered one finger. 
    "PERFECT!" I exclaimed, making him squeal in delight. 
    "Ash," Perry looked at me with a curious look on his face. 
    "Yeah, honey?" I asked. 
    "Why he a boy?" He wondered causing me to laugh.  I'd never brought a guy over to the house before. 
    "Well, do you know what cooties are?" I asked. He stuck his tongue out and scrunched his nose up. 
    "Cooties are icky.” He pouted. 
    I held my laugh back. "Well, when you're about my age, those cooties go away. You'll start to like girls, just like Andy likes me.” I told him. 
    He looked doubtful but nodded as he eyed Andy warily. 
    Dinner went smoothly after that. Everybody did their best to include Andy into their conversations and he fit in really well. Afterward, we went up to my bedroom, with the agreement that we wouldn't close the door. 
    "Nice room.” He said as he walked in. I glanced around doubtfully. 
    "It's fine.” I agreed. There was nothing special about my room. The walls were a beige color and the only color I had in there was my bedspread. I didn't have very many pictures, so the walls were fairly bare. The only thing I liked about it was that the floor was wooden. 
    We both relaxed on my bed, his arm around my shoulders and my head leaning against his chest. "I'm sorry.” I sighed. Now, after everything, the whole incident seemed silly. 
    "Don't be sorry.” He said against my hair. 
    "But I am. I over-reacted and it wasn't fair to you.” I told him, turning so I could see his face. He kissed my lips softly. 
    "I don't know. I mean, it sucked and everything. Thinking that you wouldn't let me in, but you did. Now I know more about you so I'm not sorry it happened.” He explained. 
    I shrugged. "Still, I don't like that I did that. I swear I'm not this crazy person only you've had the privilege of meeting.” I told him seriously. "I'm usually laid back and calm. But around you, I blow things out of proportion. I'm nervous, and unsure of myself,” I said. 
    "It's because I'm so hot.” He said. I burst out laughing and when I turned to look at him, he was pouting. "That reaction was a little uncalled for.” He whined. 
    I tried not to giggle. "I'm sorry. Will your ego be able to handle it?" I asked as I cupped his cheek. 
    He stuck his lip out a little more. "I don't know. You may have to kiss me better.” He couldn't stop the grin from appearing on his face. I smiled and reached up, meeting his lips with mine. The kiss was slow and gentle. Both of us