Cody seemed to like my new look, as he’d complimented me the first time he saw me in something other than the jeans that Jess had talked me into wearing when I got here. I guess mom had a point, as I felt more feminine in my new digs.
Like the color block O-neck coat shirt and button skirt in white and black I chose today that hugged my body perfectly. “Babe, what’s the favor?”
“Oh, can you teach me how to drive?”
“You want to learn to drive on my Junker?”
“About that, my dad has bought me a car.”
“Really? Where is it?”
“It’s not here yet; maybe tomorrow or the day after.” I made my tone as sullen as I could.
“Why the pout?”
“It’s a little bit embarrassing.”
“Why is that? You don’t like it?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s very expensive; I’m afraid people are gonna think I’m a snob or something.”
“That’s silly. A lotta the kids here have expensive cars.” I told him what kind of car my dad had bought, and his mouth fell open.
“Seriously? You’ve got to let me drive it at least once.” He went on to tell me everything about the luxury vehicle like he was a salesman.
“’ You really know a lot about cars, huh.”
“I know that one, that’s like the king of SUVs. I can only dream of getting behind the wheel of one of those. Wait, that’s your first car?”
“Yeah, I don’t really know how to drive, so there was no need to get one before.”
“Damn, I better make it into the Pros.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If I want to keep you in the style you’re accustomed to, I’d better.” He said it almost jokingly with a smile, but the words made my heart warm and tingly.
“It doesn’t matter, I want you to make it because it’s what you want, but the truth is, I have more than enough money for the both of us.”
We never discuss finances. Even though he hadn’t complained about my interference with his dad’s medical situation, there was no telling how he’d react to me having the kind of money I have. Even if he made it into the NFL, there’s no guarantee that he’d ever make as much as I stand to inherit.
I held my breath now and waited for his response. “That’s great; if I get hurt or just decide I want to be a bum, it’s good to know you can support us and the kids.”
“Kids?” He’s trying to kill me. My poor heart can’t take too much of this.
“Well, yeah, didn’t you think we were going to have any?” I know we were just playing around, but the conversation had me giddy, and when he swung our joined hands between us, I felt like I could fly. “How many kids?”
“Six!” Now it was my mouth falling open as I stopped dead in my tracks.
“Six?” My eyes were like saucers. “You can’t be serious.”
“Hey, it’s not eleven; I could’ve gone for a whole football team; I went with a basketball team with one backup.” His facetious grin didn’t exactly reassure me that he was kidding.
“I guess I’m gonna be fat and happy in my thirties.”
“Who said anything about thirties? As soon as you graduate, we’ll get started. And as smart as you are, that should be three years instead of four, maybe even two. Or we can get started now if you’d like.” I punched his ribs playfully, and he wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled me into his side to kiss my temple, and that’s how we walked into the dining hall, where all eyes turned to watch us as we made our way to the table where the others were already seated.
My heart picked up speed this time for a different reason. She was here. It was always hit or miss whether she’d be here or not, but I was hoping. My revenge won’t work unless she’s here to see me in action after all. I don’t know if he noticed, but I was more handsy than usual, even going so far as to feed him from my fork.
I’m not sure he even knew she was here because he never looked in her direction. In fact, the only ones who seemed to notice were Jess, Alexis, and me, and since they were in on my little scheme, they went out of their way to help. “You two are so cute it’s nauseating.” Alexis rolled her eyes playfully.
If anyone noticed that her voice was louder than necessary, they didn’t mention it. At her words, I leaned into Cody and batted my lashes at her making her grin. Cody put his arm around me and nuzzled my head before going back to his conversation with the guys from his team. I didn’t realize he was telling them about my new ride until they started asking questions.