The Scout, page 11
God, how I wanted to kiss her. Another place and time I might have tried. “One more thing . . .”
It was almost as though I was that horny teenage boy who wanted to touch or kiss his girlfriend every time he saw her. We were no longer those kids, but that didn’t matter when it came to Hannah.
“Seriously, Cash, I’m going to be late. What is it?”
Not caring where we were, I leaned forward and pressed my eager lips to her soft ones. The kiss was chaste but had its usual effect on me. Someone coughed, and Hannah jumped back.
“Sorry, seems I can’t resist when I’m near you. I have a plan for tonight. Do you trust me?”
The second bell rang. “Sure. No. Whatever. I’ll see you later.”
Spinning on her heels, she hustled out of the room, bumping into the door before she left. Part of me wanted to walk her to class, but I knew she’d hate the attention. As far as my heart was concerned, Hannah Hall was still mine . . . she just didn’t know it yet.
Chapter 14
Hannah
Good lord, that man made my insides flutter. Why the hell did he always need to look so good? This morning when I saw him jumping rope, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I’d never seen a body like that before. Well, not in real life, anyway. Even when we painted models in my college art class, they didn’t look like him. Something told me if they did, the enrollment would have been higher.
Speaking of art, his tattoos. Art in all forms intrigued me. Having it permanently inked into your skin was something I often thought of doing. One day I’d create something that would resonate enough to make me pull the trigger and get it done.
My classes went by torturously slow. Maybe it had to do with a certain ex who seemed to be able to throw me off-kilter. When he said he had a plan, I couldn’t imagine what that would be.
“So he didn’t say anything?” Mia asked, sipping her iced mocha latte.
“No, just that he had a plan. Oh, and that he thinks Annie Higgins knows about him being Jimmy’s father.”
“It’s only a matter of time. Do you know that he’s now the volunteer coach for the baseball team?”
My matcha frappé tasted more like grass as it sat on my tongue. Finally forcing it down, I made her repeat herself. “Did you say he’s coaching?”
“Yup,” she replied with a cute pop of the p. “I ran into Michael in the parking lot before I left to meet you here. The man looked as though he were walking on springs. His steps were so bouncy. Then again, how often does a former professional ball player come and work with the team?”
“People are going to start to piece things together.”
“Would that be so bad, Hannah? I saw you two together when you were young and then at the reunion. Don’t tell me your hoo-ha doesn’t get all tingly when you’re around him because I know you better.”
I glanced around the small coffee shop, making sure no one had heard her comment. Thankfully not many people were in the place or paying attention. “Can we not discuss my hoo-ha in public . . . or anywhere, for that matter?”
She giggled and leaned forward. “Hannah, can we agree that the man is a walking orgasm?”
“He does look good,” I simply stated, which earned me an eye roll. Fine, he looked spectacular. Trying to find the right adjective proved to be difficult. There were times when I couldn’t believe he and I were once a couple.
“Why do you look as though you drifted a million miles away? Are you imagining him doing all sorts of dirty things to you?”
Not needing that thought in my head, I explained where my mind had wandered. “This morning, he was in his backyard working out. Well, jumping rope.”
“Jumping rope?”
“Yeah. He was doing it to a rhythm . . . almost dance-like. It mesmerized me. So there I was, staring, and he waved.” Mia’s laugh brought an immediate scowl to my face. “Completely busted and so embarrassing.”
“What did you do?”
“What else? I waved. Thank God he had the decency not to bring it up.” Leaning back in the chair, I sighed. “Everything is just a mess right now. Then he tells me he has a plan.”
“Nothing wrong with a man with a plan.” Mia’s phone dinged. She glanced at the screen and blushed. “Speaking of, I have a study session to get to.”
I cocked a brow.
“Mr. Tillman and I are working on his thesis for grad school.”
“Mm-hmm.” I shook my head, and she laughed.
We both stood with our drinks in hand. “Maybe you should give him another chance, Hannah. Cash was never a bad guy, and if everything he said is true, then . . .”
“I know. Maybe. We’ll see.”
“That’s my girl.”
We hugged and parted ways. Mia had a point. If Cash was telling the truth, which I have a feeling he was, then I shouldn’t be upset with him. That didn’t mean Jimmy shouldn’t be upset with me. Grabbing my phone, I called the one person who would know what to do.
After one ring, she answered, “Hi, sweetie.”
“Hey, Mom. How’s Aunt Maggie?”
“Getting better every day.”
“That’s good. And Daddy?”
“He’s good. Ready to come home. He’s been working remotely, but you know your father. He likes his routine. We should be home in the next week or two. How’re you? How’s my grandson? I haven’t talked to anyone in a few days. I was starting to worry. He left a message that they beat the alumni.”
She paused, and I had a feeling she was waiting for me to tell her what she already knew to be true, so I did. “Jimmy knows.”
“Oh boy. How is he? Jimmy, not Cash.”
“Mad at me.” I went on to explain the past couple of days. “I just don’t know what to do. Jimmy is confused, upset . . . I can’t blame him for his feelings. I don’t know that I can make him understand. Cash says he has a plan. Not sure what that is.” I could hear my dad calling for her in the background. “Go on. It’s okay. I need to go anyway. I wanted to tell you just in case Jimmy calls you.”
“You going to be okay?”
“Yes.”
“Hannah, follow your heart. It’s one of the strongest muscles we have for a reason. Jimmy knows you love him. He’s just confused right now. And as far as Cash goes, that boy always loved you. Maybe you two—”
“I don’t think that will happen.”
My dad’s voice rang out again. “I’m coming!” she shouted back.
“It’s okay, Mom. Go on.”
“Sorry, I’ll talk to you later. You’re a great mother, sweetheart. Jimmy knows that too. He’ll come around, and everything will be just fine. You’ll see.”
“Thanks. Tell everyone I said hi.”
“Will do. And you kiss my grandbaby for me.”
After the call ended, I got in my car and headed home to get ready for dinner at Cash’s.
Dinner was quiet. Cash had made roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. To say I was a bit impressed was an understatement. Jimmy sat quietly through most of the meal while Cash and I made idle chitchat.
Normally dinnertime was when Jimmy and I caught up on our days. He was always interested in mine, or at least pretended to be. Tonight the tines of his fork were too busy making figure eights in his mashed potatoes.
“How was your day? I saw the announcement about the end-of-year jamboree.”
Cash took a sip of his water. “Wow, they’re still doing that? Remember when we went, Hannah?”
I glanced up at Cash, and his eyes prompted me to talk. “Yes, of course.”
“Crowned king and queen, if I recall.”
“I still have my sash,” I admitted.
“I still have my crown.”
“You were king and queen of the jamboree? They don’t do that anymore.”
An instant smile spread across my face thanks to Jimmy’s question. Well, not the question exactly, but that he was interested. “Yes, two years in a row. Your father was quite the dancer. Didn’t hurt that he flirted with the female judges.”
Jimmy chuckled, his cheeks taking on a cute pink tint.
“FYI, I still am a good dancer, and for the record, smiling isn’t flirting,” Cash retorted. “I can’t help it if I’m charming.”
I shook my head with a grin.
Jimmy shoveled some food into his mouth. I knew it would be only a matter of time. After swallowing, he shook his head. “I’m not going to a hokey dance.”
“Why not?” Cash asked. “I heard Max say that Jasmine Landon wanted you to ask her.”
Giving my son a bit of a reprieve, knowing he didn’t want to acknowledge Cash’s statement, I changed the subject. “Was the team excited to have Cash as a coach?”
“Yeah, they are.”
Cash and I exchanged a glance. “Are you?”
Jimmy looked at me. “Yeah, I guess. It’s just weird. No one knows about . . . you know.”
The last thing I wanted was for my son to be stressed out. Cash meant a lot to him, even more so now if I had to guess. “That he’s your dad?” He nodded. “Would you like them to?”
Jimmy looked at me, then Cash. “I’m not going to say if it’s okay with your mom, then it’s okay with me.”
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. “Quick learner. Honey, if you want to tell people, you can. And they might have questions, and that’s okay. If you don’t know the answer, you can ask us.”
“Or if you don’t want to answer them, you don’t need to. What happened between me and your mom is our business.”
“Yeah. Thanks. I’ll think about it. But I’m still not going to the jamboree . . . dances are boring.”
The legs on Cash’s chair scraped against the floor as he pushed it back to stand. He walked toward the center of the room and pushed back the furniture until an empty square of hardwood was left. Jimmy and I exchanged a curious glance before Cash came back and offered me his hand. “Will you do me the honor?”
Confused, I furrowed my brow and glanced at Jimmy, whose expression mirrored mine. “There’s no music.” He told his phone to play Country Playlist One, and “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band came on. Pulling me up, he looked at Jimmy. “Watch and learn, Son.”
When Jimmy smiled, I couldn’t help but do what Cash asked. Before I knew it, we were dancing like we had all those years ago. We moved in sync, his hand flexed around mine as he guided me around the small square he created in the middle of his living room. He spun me out of his arms before pulling me back toward him, only for him to make me squeal as he dipped me.
Jimmy’s laugh was better than any song that could have been playing. Cash brought me back into his arms and continued to two-step me around his living room. The song changed, and Cash stopped dancing and looked at Jimmy.
“Your turn,” he said, to which our son shook his head. “Come on, you never leave a beautiful woman waiting.”
Slowly Jimmy got up, and I had a feeling this was all part of Cash’s plan. And if that was the case, I needed to thank him. Jimmy stood in front of me. Before I knew it, we were moving around the room. Every so often, he would stutter-step, but Cash kept encouraging him.
When the second song ended, Jimmy gave me a tight smile. “Thank you for the dance,” I said.
“What do I tell them about you and Cash? Not back then, but now? And what do I call him?”
Taking his hand, I moved us to the sofa, where we sat down. Glossing over his first question, since I didn’t have an answer, I moved on to a more important one. “What would you like to call him?”
He looked at Cash, who stood off to the side with his arms casually crossed over his chest. “I don’t know.”
We remained silent as Jimmy looked off into the distance. After a few long minutes, he turned toward Cash. “Can I call you Dad? It’ll be weird for a bit, but I think I could get used to it if it’s okay with you.”
Cash’s eyes misted over, and a lump formed in my throat.
“I’d love that.” Cash dragged the coffee table in front of us and sat down on it. “What about your mom? Do you think you can forgive her? People make mistakes, and if I can understand why she did what she did, maybe you can too? I mean, you’ve got to admit, she’s pretty cool . . . and beautiful too.”
Sitting there listening to them talk about me as though I weren’t there was odd. Even after a short time, Cash and Jimmy’s connection was undeniable.
Not being able to remain silent, I added, “If you’re not ready to forgive me, I’ll understand. I was wrong, and I’m so sorry. Please know that everything I did and didn’t do was because I love you.”
“I know. That’s what Grandma said.”
“You talked to Grandma?” Why that surprised me, I had no idea. Of course she’d called him.
“Yes. She explained some things to me. I still don’t get it, but I suppose I can understand it a little bit better. But you never answered my question.”
So happy that he was coming around; I’d answer anything he asked. “Which one?”
“You and Cash. I mean Dad. Are you going to get back together? You’re not still mad at him, right?”
Was I? Should I be? “I’ve realized that you’re not my little boy anymore. So I hope you understand that my relationship with Cash is a bit more complicated. Do I believe that he didn’t know that you were his son? Yes. Do I forgive him?” I took a moment and looked at Cash. “Yes, I do, but that doesn’t mean we’re getting back together.”
Cash chimed in, “Your mom and I will figure things out. For now, why don’t we take one day at a time?”
“Cool. Is it okay if I stay here one more night?”
One more night. A gentle tingle spread through my chest as though my heart had doubled in size, knowing we were going to be okay.
“Yes, of course.”
“Thanks. I’m going to call Max now. He’s going to freak out. Oh, Mom, I need to sign up for camp soon. I can still go, right? I have my allowance if you need it.”
I could practically feel Cash vibrating. Yes, he had a lot more money than I did, but Jimmy never went without. We just didn’t go overboard.
“Yes, you can still go.”
“Great! Thanks.” He ran upstairs.
Cash and I worked together cleaning the kitchen. When the last dish was put away, he leaned against the counter. “We need to talk about something.”
I wiped my hands on the towel before laying it on the dish rack to dry.
“I have money, and the way I figure it, I owe you years and years of child support. I’d like to take care of you.”
“No, but thank you. We’ve been fine. I’m not after your money.”
“Stubborn woman. You don’t think I know that? Let me start over. Hannah, I’d like to pay for our son’s camp.” His brows tugged together. “What type of camp is it?”
“Baseball. It’s at the local college.”
“So he can get scouted?” he asked with a lilt of sarcasm—or maybe irritation, I couldn’t quite tell.
“No, to help him hone his skills and possibly get a scholarship.” Cash took a moment to reply, so I added, “I understand your profession and that you played professional ball, but this is about Jimmy, not you. Our son is very prideful, and as much as I know he’ll appreciate anything you can teach him, getting into college and doing it on his own is important to him.”
“Yes, I understand. I’d feel the same way. Our son has the talent to make it. I saw it. It’s why I want him for the Hawks. I just know that in a couple of years, I won’t be the only one who notices. Hell, I’d be shocked if the college didn’t send him a commitment letter with a full ride attached. If he goes. He could possibly do what I did. But we can talk about all of that later. For now, and with your permission, I’ll go to the bank and establish an account in your name for him for whatever you need. Please set your stubbornness aside.”
“Thank you, it’s a lot to take in at the moment. If you’d like to pay for his camp, that’s fine. The account would only be used for him and if completely necessary. I’m not prepared to think about him going to college or playing ball. I’d like to get through the next couple of years first.”
“Okay, so we have a deal?”
“For now, but that’s it.”
“See, stubborn.”
“I’m not stubborn.”
“Care to prove it?”
“Although I feel as though I already have, what do you have in mind?”
“Let me take you out.”
Rather than prove him right, I gave him a bright, toothy smile. “Maybe.”
Right when I thought I had the upper hand, a sexy-as-sin smirk spread across his face. “I’m going to make you fall for me again, Hannah Hall.”
“I’m not going to fall for you.”
“Stubborn.”
“Just being honest. It won’t happen.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Chapter 15
Cash
After Jimmy left for school, I decided to start getting some things done. First, I grabbed my laptop, and although on a brief hiatus, there was a report I needed to send in. Once that was completed, and despite the early hour on the West Coast, I needed to call my mother.
There was no telling how she would react to hearing my father’s part in not telling me about Jimmy and dismissing Hannah. I knew if my mom had answered the door the day Hannah went to their house, life would be completely different.
Which was something else that weighed heavily on me. Would we have stayed together? Would we have more kids? The only answer I could come up with was yes. Our breakup wasn’t our best decision. Granted, hindsight is always twenty-twenty, but that didn’t make it less true.
After grabbing my phone, I scrolled through my contacts and tapped on my mom’s number. When the call connected, I heard breathing, and for a second, I wished I had texted before dialing.
“Hi . . . honey. Hold on. Let me pause Franco.” I could hear a man’s voice in the background saying something about pace and power. The baritone faded off in the background. “Okay. Sorry about that.”
