The QB Bad Boy: Playing for Keeps

(22) "I have to go!"

S P E N C E R

"Shît!" The slam of the fridge door echoes in the kitchen for the fifth time. "Where is the cream?! I bought cream?! My eclairs don't work without cream!"

"What's going on?" Nathan appears in the kitchen with Lydia trailing behind him. She's wearing her gorgeous white jumper and jeans that Mom bought her for her birthday and I take a moment to appreciate that she'd sorted herself out.

Nathan however, is in track pants and a sleeveless top. "Babe, you look so good, but please change!"

"Oh," he glances down at his attire with a chuckle. "I'm not wearing this. I just got done with a workout."

"Oh. . . okay, sorry."

I turn around and pull open the fridge, once again frantically searching for the cream. It's not in there, I know it's not, but I'm hoping that it'll magically appear. "Where the hec-"

"What are you looking for?" Nathan's soothing voice sounds from behind me, his hand winding around my waist as he gently guides me from the fridge, letting it swing shut behind us.

"The cream. I bought cream and I need it for the eclairs!" I pout, pointing at the countertop where a spread of dishes is waiting to be loaded into the car. "We have to leave in half an hour!"

"You, go and shower." He puts his hands on either shoulder and starts steering me towards the corridor. "Lyds and I will sort the cream."

"Nothing's open, Nathan."

"I'll sort it."

He gives me a quick slap on the bum as I disappear up the corridor and I can't help but giggle which serves to soothe me. If he says he's got it, then he's got it and I appreciate it more than he realises. It's the little things.

Forty-five minutes after a shower, I've changed into an oversized white sweater and a pair of black jeans. My hair and makeup was a bit of a rush job but we're just going to Mom and Dad's so it's not a big deal.

When I come rushing back into the kitchen, I'm greeted with the sight of Lydia perched on the countertop while she scoffs down an eclair, the plate beside her is piled with fresh cream-filled eclairs. Nathan glances back from where he's rinsing the dishes and gives me a wide smile.

"You finished them!" I sigh, putting a hand across my heart. It feels as though I've been cooking and cleaning all night and morning, so to see the last of it done almost brings me to tears.

"Yeah, figured you could use the help." He dries his hands on a dishtowel as he saunters towards me. Before he has the chance to respond, I throw my arms around him and kiss him, because he has no idea what his thoughtfulness means.

"Gross." Lydia scoffs. I keep my arms wrapped around Nathan's neck and the two of us glance over at miss attitude who has whipped cream all over her nose and lips.

"Excuse me Lyds," I chortle. "You told me that Nathan should be my boyfriend."

"Momma, it's good but I'm only four. I don't want to see stuff like that." She jumps down from the countertop and struts off towards her dollhouse.

Nathan rests his forehead on my shoulder, his grip on my waist tightening as he quietly laughs.

"I have no idea where she gets that 'tude from to be honest."