Page 137 of The Love Playbook

“So, I was miserable these last five days thinking we were over when we really weren’t?”

He shakes with quiet laughter. “Pretty much.”

I smack him in the arm. “Chris! Where were you?”

With a chuckle, he lowers his head so he can meet my eyes. “Do you wanna know why I made myself barf so I could miss the game?”

“Why?”

“Because I had a one o’clock appointment at New Hope Rehabilitation Center to move your mother into her room.”

I blink up at him, confused. He may as well be speaking a foreign language for how well I understand what he’s trying to tell me. My mom went to rehab? “I’m not following . . .”

“I don’t know what you said to your mom, but when I stopped by, she asked me for help. So, we talked about it, and together, with the help of all our parents, your mother got into a rehabilitation center that specializes in chronic depression and emotional trauma.”

“Wait.” I grip his arms, needing to anchor myself. “You’re telling memymother went to a live-in facility for her depression? On her own?” I choke out. “And you skipped your game for it?”

He smiles softly, brushing my bangs out of my eyes, his touch light as a feather. “She wanted to do this for you. I just helped facilitate it.” Reaching out, he takes my hand and lifts it to his mouth, brushing a kiss over my knuckles. “And if it’s not already clear, I’d do just about damn near anything to make you happy.”

Unable to find the words to tell him how much this means to me, I cup his face in my hands and close my mouth over his while I let my body do the talking for me until he pulls back, hitting me with his signature grin.

“As much as I’d love to stay here and kiss you all day, if you want a chance to see your mom, we need to go now. Once she starts rehab, she’s not allowed visitors for a couple of weeks.”

“I get to see her?”

“Lettie,” he runs a hand over my hair, “do you really think I’d send her off for several months without giving you a chance to see her first?”

Warmth spreads in my chest, filling me until I’m bursting with it. “I . . . I don’t know what to say. I’m . . .”Stunned. Flabbergasted. Awestruck. Grateful. Hopeful.“So damn in love with you.”

Chris’s gaze heats as he reaches out and pulls me into his arms, holding me close. “I’m in love with you too, every single thing about you.” Then with a little laugh, he kisses the side of my head while he rocks me in his arms. “In fact, I’m kind of obsessed with you, if you haven’t already noticed.”

“Here I was thinking I’d complete your grand gesture for you, when you finished the playbook all along.”

“Pfft.” Chris pulls back and bops me on the nose. “Doubting me was your first mistake, Lettie girl, because I always finish what I start. Now,” he says, taking my hand and tugging me down the hall. “How about we complete your happy ending?”

Chapter 38

CHARLOTTE

I tighten my hold on Chris’s hand while I grip the large envelope with my other as we step onto the front porch. A couple more feet and Chris will reach out, pull open the door, and . . .

Spinning on my heel, I make a beeline for his car like the coward I am, but not before two strong hands grab my arms and spin me back around until I’m staring up into eyes so pale blue, they’re like a cool drink of water.

“Where ya goin’?” His lips quirk.

“I can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can,” he says firmly.

Panic grips my chest. “What if she hates me?”

“She doesn’t hate you.”

“Ugh.” I nearly stomp my feet, my gaze drifting ominously toward the door. The last time I was here I almost felt like a part of the family, but this time, all I feel is . . . remorse. “You don’t know that.”

“I do.” He dips his head, catching my eyes once more. “My mother raised six boys. Do you really think we never told a lie or made a mistake?”

“I dunno,” I mumble, knowing he’s right. Barb isn’t the type to hold a grudge.