Curveball- Strike Zone Series Book two

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Kayleigh

      Nate, Dillon and Reese went to the gym first thing this morning, so I woke up alone again. After our talk last night and my realization that Nate has been dreaming of me lately, I was completely embarrassed. Nate only laughed and teased me about it. Telling me that he's wanted me since that day my car broke down. I didn't believe him, reminding him that he was quickly yelling at me and getting me fired. He wants me to believe it was all part of his plan to get me to fall for him. I'm still not believing it. I'm not giving up my heart just yet. I know how quickly things can change.

     The house is so quiet as I start down the stairs, I'm not sure if anyone else is even up and moving yet. I figured some water would be okay to grab and headed into the kitchen. I stopped just inside the room, finding Nate's mother sitting in there alone, reading Molly's book. The same one from the car ride, while drinking what I can only guess to be tea.

     As I walked in she looked up, immediately marking her page and smiling at me. "Good morning, Kayleigh! You're an early bird this morning." She greets me much differently than yesterday. Setting down her mug, she goes around the island and fixes another cup and passes it my way.  "Molly has gotten me hooked on these romance novels she reads. Did you know that it took fifteen years and many rejections for this author to get published? Have you read it yet?" She waved the book to me.

      "No, ma'am." I whisper, taking a seat at the island. I love books, but I usually just check them out at the library because it's free. I was never able to actually buy books. I've never had a place to keep them anyway.

      "I've always wondered how hard it was for people to get discovered. It just seems like all the good ones take forever to get out there. Do you like to read?" She sips on her tea, making conversation.

     "Yes, ma'am." I answer, sipping my tea and glance down at the bare chested football player on the cover. He doesn't compare to Nate, it's my first thought. I probably shouldn't think that in front of his mother.

      "Feel free to grab any of the books in the study. Molly and I have accumulated quite a collection. We've got everything from history books and poetry to romance novels and thrillers galore. I think there's some horror and mysteries too, of the boys collection. Molly and I have collected the most. We tend to lean more toward books than the boys." She softly lifts her lips with a friendly smile.

      I'm always cautious when it comes to people who change the way they treat me over night. My experience has been that they are just putting on an act and the real deal comes out as soon as I let down my guard. I don't like thinking this way of Nate's mother, but it's all I know.

     "Did you sleep well?" She fills up my mug again then passes me the sugar and cream. I nod and fix my tea, but keep my eyes out for anything I need to prepare for.

    "Yes, I did. Thank you." I hold the cup and just stare into it. I don't know what to say to her.

      Chewing on my lip, I look around the room. I wonder where everyone else is. She smiles, sitting across from me. Reaching for my hand, she gives it a light squeeze before she speaks. It's clear she's uncomfortable with this conversation too.

     "Kayleigh, I'm sorry about last night. Nate told me you were coming with them and I assumed you were friends with Molly. I was surprised that you and Nate are, well.. together. We just saw him on TV with Carla and... it's not like the kids to just show up on such short notice. I don't want you to feel unwanted here. We were just surprised." She explains.

      It's a decent and viable explanation for her. I just don't completely buy it. I'm too careful of people. I've been burned too many times. I won't be treated like that again. I only nod. I don't know what to say to her. If I had known that no one else was up, I would have stayed in Nate's room and hid until he got back.