CHAPTER ELEVEN
Stephen
I woke up Sunday on my own, not needing any alarm. I talked to Brandon last night about the game, and he didn’t want to go. Mike and Danielle invited him to the local eat and play place for lunch, and I knew that was to offer me some personal space.
I insisted on making some waffles for breakfast for us, inviting the couple to make a plate once they got over. I liked to have some normalcy in Brandon’s life when I could, and breakfast was one of the traditions as well as dinner if I could swing it.
It was much harder than breakfast, given the fact that I stayed late sometimes.
I played some of his favorite video game with him after breakfast and before he was to go to the restaurant. I headed to my room to change into some shorts and a T-shirt that boasted the name of the team, something I’d gotten at a previous game. I added a ball cap in a dark blue ball cap to my head and headed down to get my keys to pick Mandy up. Brandon barely told me goodbye. He was so excited about their plans, and I grinned behind the wheel of my car. I was glad that he had people like Mike and Danielle in his life.
I drove to Mandy’s apartment and tapped on the door, smiling when her and another girl appeared at the door.
“Hi, Stephen. You remember Vanessa?” Mandy said as I nodded and looked at the blonde. We shook hands again, and she sized me up with shrewd eyes, something that was much more noticeable this time. We made some small talk as Mandy ran back to her bedroom to get a red hat, pulling it over her ponytail.
She looked beautiful, and I resisted the urge to kiss her as she gathered her purse and threw a jacket over her arm. Vanessa told her that she’d be late at the theater tonight as she hugged her, and they shared a knowing look.
I knew that girls talked. They had to discuss things with someone, and these two were best friends for a long time. I looked at Mandy as we left the apartment, knowing that she’d be tasteful about what she said about us. I didn’t mind if she told Vanessa that I was the best fuck of her life at all. I just didn’t want everyone she knew discussing that.
Lacy was like that. She bragged to all her friends about the hot guy she was sleeping with, and then suddenly a baby was involved. The fact surprised me she made it a year with us, since it was obvious to me that she wasn’t happy with a baby.
It was Mandy who stopped us by the car and cupped my face as she stared into my eyes. She leaned up to kiss me, and I slipped an arm around her waist to hold her against me as her lips parted. The kiss was passionate but brief as Mandy pulled away with a flustered smile.
“I hope you didn’t mind that. I’ve been thinking about you all day long."
“Me too.” I smiled at her and moved to unlock the door, letting her get settled before I closed it. I suddenly wanted the game to be over so we could be alone again but I told my body to calm down. We were going to have a great day today with my family. I knew that both Kevin and Terry feel better about how things worked out, given how happy Mandy made him. I didn’t want them to weight themselves down with guilt over Lacy. It was nobody’s fault but hers for walking away, and I didn’t blame anybody else. I just did what I had to do and moved on.
I headed into the city to get to the field, parking in the main lot and sending my brother a text to ask if he’d arrived. He was still on the way, and I smiled at Mandy.
“They’re headed in with the tickets, but we can have a drink at the bar over here. They’ll be here in a few minutes.” I offered her my hand, and she grinned as she took it, leaning up to kiss me again. We made our way to the bar that was just in front of the stadium. I ordered a beer while she asked for a hard cider. “How was dinner?”
“Oh, at my parents’?” Mandy frowned. “It was shit. My mom has been comparing me to my sister for years, and since Kate became a surgeon, she’s was so much worse. I feel like I’m not enough for her. The night ended with her running to her room and just saying goodbye to Dad.” She brightened as she sipped her drink. “Did Brandon say anything about the camp?”
“He liked it a lot and loved you. He talked a lot about the camp and can’t wait for next weekend. His absence today has nothing to do with you at all.” I laughed. “He loves his nanny and her boyfriend, who invited him out for the day. I think that she’s trying to push me to have a life.”
“Ah. How long has she been watching Brandon?” Mandy asked.
“Since day one. I had to find someone fast and talked to friends and looked at every platform that had nannies. Luckily, Kevin knew someone that knew Danielle, and I interviewed her. I knew right away that she was perfect and gave her a pay increase after the first two weeks. Danielle saved my life because I was suddenly on my own with this baby.” I shook my head. “Kevin’s wife is the one that introduced me to Lacy. She thought we’d have fun and hit it off. After she left, I knew that they felt like utter shit and finding Danielle helped things.” I stared into her face, finding myself incredibly attracted to her. She was too much woman for me, and I was a lucky bastard just to be sitting across from her. My cock twitched at her tight jeans and fitted white T-shirt. Fuck, she looks good. “I think they’ll be even happier when I settle down.”
“Yeah?” Mandy asked.
I nodded before kissing her. I was just getting ready to deepen it when I heard my name being called.
“There’s Kevin,” I pulled away and kissed her nose before turning to find him. He smiled widely, walking up to hug me before he turned a curious gaze to Mandy. “Kevin, this is Mandy Miles. She’s new to the office.”
He shook her hand as I gave Terry a warm hug, then introduced the two women. They each ordered a beer, and we chatted for a little while. They warmed up to Mandy immediately, and we were all laughing by the time we made it to our seats. Kevin got us all a hot dog, and a fresh beer for us and I smiled at Mandy as she bit into it. She looked happy.
The game started and I asked her if she liked baseball, sliding an arm around her waist. She told me that her father loved all sports and they watched them all together. As the game progressed, Mandy and Terry bonded over shared interests and music. They danced in their seats to the popular songs that were played and cheered for the home team as Kevin gave me a long, curious look. “She’s amazing, Stephen. You know that, right?”
I looked at the women and nodded slowly, meeting his eyes again. “Brandon likes her.” Kevin whistled and shook his head.
“This seems like it might be getting serious,” He told me from his seat beside me. The girls decided to sit together after an hour so they could talk.
“Maybe so. I guess only time will tell.”
Kevin and Terry went to get something from the snack bar, and I pulled Mandy against me. “I think you’re perfect.”
“You need to talk to my mom,” she quipped and looked into my eyes. “You don’t think I’m young and silly, acting like this with Terry?”
“No. I love hearing you laugh and seeing that smile.” I brushed my lips against hers for a soft kiss, wanting so much more as she leaned into me. I knew that I was falling for this woman and my heart raced in my chest. I heard my brother and scooted over to let him and Terry sit beside each other, needing her to myself for a while. Mandy snuggled into me, and I held her close, kissing her hair while we cheered on the team that won by five points. They were a great team, and I looked forward to coming back with Mandy and Brandon for the day, spending some time together.
I could see a future with Mandy, which was crazy. It was way too damn soon to get my hopes up.