Drawn Deeper by Brenda Rothert Page A

didn’t. She probably just knew rumors would start flying if she showed up anywhere near the Lockhart family.
    “Maybe next time,” Jordan said.
    “I’d like that,” she said. “You play first base, right?”
    “Yeah. Sometimes third.”
    “Well, good luck tonight.”
    I walked her to the front door as usual, and she turned to me right before walking outside.
    “Are we still on for tomorrow?” she asked softly.
    “I hope so.”
    She smiled. “Okay. What should I bring?”
    “Just you. When I get home, I’ll run the boys over to my parents’ house.”
    “I’ll probably run home and change when you get home. I mean . . . you probably don’t want the boys to know about . . . not that we’re . . .”
    Her cheeks had turned bright pink, and it was really damn cute. I grinned and leaned against the doorframe, hoping she’d continue.
    “Anyway . . .” She took a deep breath. “I’ll just bring some wine.”
    “And a swimsuit.”
    She arched her brows with surprise.
    “In case we want to swim,” I said.
    “Oh, right.”
    “Do you, uh . . . have any two-pieces? Not that the other swimsuit wasn’t nice, you know, but . . .”
    “I’ll see what I can do.”
    “We’re practically whispering here,” I said.
    “I know. I feel like a naughty kid or something.”
    “Naughty, huh?”
    Her blush deepened. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Kyle.”
    “Looking forward to it.”
    As Eric and I sat in the stands at Jordan’s baseball game that evening, I felt a twinge of guilt. My mother made no secret of her feelings about Meredith. And while my kids were having dinner at my parents’ place tomorrow, I’d be making dinner for Meredith.
    When I left the bleachers to get Eric some popcorn, my mother followed me, pulling me off to the side where no one could hear our conversation.
    “I’ve been hearing Meredith Hobbs’s Jeep has been seen at your house quite regularly lately,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “What’s going on?”
    “She’s been helping the boys with homework after school.”
    “It’s summer.”
    I shrugged. “Extra help. They both need it. Their grades slipped after Kim left.”
    She narrowed her eyes slightly. “But why Meredith?”
    “Why not? She offered. The boys like her.”
    My mother’s laugh did not sound amused. “I bet she offered. She regrets what happened with Reed, and now she’s moving in on you.”
    I shook my head. “She’s not moving in, Mom. Relax.”
    “You’re probably the most eligible man in all of Lovely, Kyle. A handsome doctor with a beautiful home. I know how women like Meredith work.”
    “She’s not working anything.”
    “She’s going on thirty now, and no man will give her a second glance after what she did to your brother. She’s an opportunist looking to secure her future.”
    “Mom,” I said firmly. “Stop. I mean it. The boys like her, and I don’t want you talking about her this way.”
    “That’s all this is, then? Just tutoring for the boys?”
    “Yeah.”
    It was sort of true. Nothing else had happened . . . yet, and my mom was overstepping her boundaries. I wasn’t about to tell her I was attracted to Meredith—that was none of her business.
    “I just want what’s best for you and my grandsons,” she said softly.
    “Let me worry about that, Mom.”
    She nodded. “I know Meredith is a pretty girl, Kyle, but she’s bad news.”
    “I think she’s a nice person who made a mistake. I’ve been there myself.”
    “A mistake?” She stared at me in disbelief. “She humiliated your brother in front of this whole town.”
    “He’s over it, Mom. It was a long time ago. Now, I’m going to get some popcorn. You want some?”
    “No, thanks.” She hesitated before continuing. “You know, it may be time for you to consider dating again.”
    I sighed, but I stopped short of glaring at her. She meant well.
    “ I’ll decide when it’s time. And then I’ll decide who. I’m not dating your hospital foundation