Daphne sputters with laughter. “Weirder than all the dick pics?”
“Yeah. Well, sort of. Different weird. Like, freaking-me-out weird.”
“Explain yourself.” Max gives me a look as if to sayI can’t believe you kept something from us.If only he knew.
“So, it started first with a text about how I got the scholarship.” I hesitate for a second, making sure I have their attention. “That’s when I asked you to look into it, Max. But then the next one said something about my mother and did I know who she was secretly dating in high school.”
Daphne’s brows shoot up. “Uh, so … someone is poking into your mom’s past?”
“It would appear that way. Or knows something I don’t. It’s like they want me to uncover something. But I don’t know what I’m looking for, exactly. I’m guessing the two are connected.”
“Okay, I’m not following. What does this have to do with this weekend?”
“Because the two of you are going to help me dig through all the boxes in our garage.”
Max grunts as he crosses his arms over his chest. “What? What for?”
“I’m hoping to find some sort of a clue in my mom’s senior yearbook.” I clamp my lips together for a few seconds. “Is that dumb?”
“Not at all.” Daphne shakes her head emphatically. “And if we don’t find your mom’s yearbooks, the school does keep copies in the library. They wouldn’t have anything personal in them, but it would be a good backup plan.”
“Good. Because look at the text I just got.” I hold up my phone so they can both see.
Unknown Number:Who’s your daddy?
Chapter 44
Coming off their big win, Xander and his teammates are riding a definite high when they race out of the locker room. There’s whooping. Yelling. All sorts of alpha-male behavior.
I grin when he makes eye contact with me. Four weeks ago, I would have had serious reservations about returning his smile. But now?Nope.Those dark eyes roam over me, and I can only think of all the ways I want him to touch me—how I want him to brand me and make me his.
He breaks away from his teammates, waving good night to them over his shoulder, and hurries toward me. He. Looks. Delicious. Dark jeans and a black T-shirt cling to his body in all the right ways. His hair is still a little damp from his shower, and he runs his hand through it as he closes the distance between us. He greets me with a gritty, “Hey, beautiful,” as he takes me into his arms, lifting me off my feet and whirling me around. My heart pounds so hard against his chest, I’m sure he can feel it. And I don’t care. I want him to know how I feel and what being close to him does to me.
“Hey, yourself.”
He catches my lips in a searing kiss, and I think I might melt right here in his arms. “You still cool with hanging out at my place?”
Excitement shoots through me. After what Aria said, I worried there was a chance that he didn’t want to introduce me to his mom or stepdad, that we were just a little fun and he didn’t feel the need.
“Yeah, sure. Is anyone home?”
“My mom and Janie.” He nips at my neck, then sets me on my feet. Taking my hand, we walk through the parking lot to his car.
“Oh, good. Except, I’m guessing Janie will be in bed already.”
“Yeah, probably. We can duck in and say hi to my mom, though. She’s probably just watching a movie or something.” He rubs his hand through his hair again.
“And your stepdad? Is he traveling again?”
“Always.”
I nod. “Okay. Well, I’d love to meet your mom.”
He grins broadly. “Let’s make it happen, then. And after that, I’ll let you see my room.”
My head whips around to find him staring at me, his eyes hungry. He wiggles his brows at me. “I have plans for us tonight, baby.”
“But—” It’s not that I don’t want to have sex with Xander. I’m just nervous. “Your mom—”