“You know I don’t like surprises,” I grumble.
He mutters something under his breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” he snaps. “Just sit back and ride.”
I huff and cross my arms. I’m still all tied up in knots over Jesse. I haven’t heard from him since I ran from him yesterday, and I’m a confusing mixture of relieved and anxious about that.
Has he given up? Good if he has. That’s what I want, right?
Then why does a deep pit of despair widen in my stomach when I think of never seeing his arrogant face again?
Before we round a corner, my brother suddenly pulls over and holds out a blindfold
“Um, whoa, no way.” I shake my head. “Nate, just what is going on with you?”
“Just humor me, Cindy? Please? When is the last time I asked you for anything?”
“Just last week”, I deadpan.
He rolls his eyes. “Will you just stop being difficult and trust your big bro?”
I finally sigh and let him put the blindfold on me. “This better be good.”
“Shush up, cupcake. It will be. “
Again, he mutters something under his breath I can’t hear.
I wasn’t lying when I said I don’t like surprises. I don’t like going into something blind either—literally.
Yet, I let my brother help me out of the car and guide me wherever it is he’s taking me. I can tell we’ve left the outdoors and walked inside, but I don’t have a clue where he could be taking me or what he’s up to.
What Icantell is that wherever we are is crowded. I’m getting bumped into from all sides, and I must look like an idiot with a blindfold on my face.
The buzz of people gets louder and louder, and then my brother is carefully leading me down…stairs?
“Nate, what the crap is going on?”
He continues to steer me along, and when we finally stop, he lets go of me. “Nate?”
He doesn’t say anything, and I don’t sense him anywhere near.
I feel a trip of panic and lift the blindfold from my eyes.
My cheeks flame, and my heart starts beating a mile a minute when I see that I’m standing in the middle of a basketball court.
I’m starting to freak out. I don’t know what’s going on or why my brother would do this, but I vow to seriously kill him this time.
Then, I suddenly feel a pair of strong hands on my shoulders turning me around.
My heart leaps when I look up at Jesse’s handsome face. He’s outfitted in his team jersey, shorts, and court shoes, and damn if the bulging muscles in his arms aren’t sexy as hell. My cheeks flame brighter when I remember how they felt wrapped around me while he plowed into me and called himself “daddy.”
His eyes are riveted to my face, and he swallows nervously before he goes down on one knee in front of me.
I hear the aww’s from the crowd as I stand there in shock, not believing what I’m seeing.
And then he speaks where only I can hear.