Sweet but Sexy Boxed Set (42 page)

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m doing this.” Jake tightened his hold on her hands, making her feel as if she’d found an anchor in a storm.

“
You are so beautiful. So smart. And if I ever meet this Gerald, I’m probably going to have to hang up my stethoscope because I’m going to break my Hippocratic Oath and do harm rather than good to a human’s body.”

Sharon laughed at that, though the tears didn
’t stop falling. “I can’t tell you how much tonight has meant to me. But there’s something more I need to tell you.”

Jake nodded.
“Okay.”

Sharon took a deep breath.
“That woman you saw in the hospital today? She’s my mother.”

Jake nodded.
“I thought maybe she was.”

The tears stopped and Sharon pulled her hands back. She lifted her napkin and wiped at her eyes before she frowned at him.
“Then why didn’t you say something?”

“
Because it wasn’t my business until you decided it was.”

A gasp escaped her lips as something inside her chest expanded until she thought she might just burst from the glory of it.

Sharon wasn’t certain, but she was afraid she might have just fallen in love.

Chapter Seventeen

The movie was interesting, the company great, and the kiss at the end of the evening chaste and, because it was, enchanting. Kyle didn’t make it out with them after all. Johnathan and Kyle were now best friends, and they wanted to hang out and four-wheel over the Hoods’ wooded property all afternoon then camp out in the back yard with the coach. Lilly asked if he could stay until after church Sunday evening as well, which would be around nine, she’d said.

Sharon agreed without hesitation, thrilled her son was so happily entertained, and though she hated to admit it, she didn
’t want anyone else around since Jake made plans for them not only for a Saturday evening movie, but for a daylong outing in Gatlinburg on Sunday as well.

So here she was, her smaller hand captured in his much larger one as they moseyed up and down the hills. Though that was the only part of their bodies touching she felt covered in warmth, making her feel secure. They stopped in one shop after another, and instead of being bored that they all mostly carried the same touristy items, he simply waited any time she wanted to pick up something to inspect it or check a price. His smile was readily available every time she looked his way and there was so much affection in his eyes when he spoke to her, or laughed with her, or even if he just glanced her way and caught her looking at him. Sharon hadn
’t ever felt so in tune with another person. She wanted to wallow in the pleasure of it and never leave what felt like a place of enchantment.

She knew it wasn
’t the place. It was the man.

With darkness only a couple of hours off and the air cooling quickly they moved a little faster on their way back to his car, their next destination a restaurant somewhere between Gatlinburg and Legend. They had no definite destination in mind, which didn
’t matter. All that mattered to Sharon was, wherever they went, they were going there together.

They stopped by the passenger door for Jake to pull his keys from his jacket pocket, but he reached for her instead. Sharon smiled up at him, watching as their breaths intermingled, wondering if the kiss she saw coming would be as sweet as the one the night before.

“Is it too soon to tell you I think I’m in love with you?”

Sharon
’s breath came out in a shaky rattle. “Only if it’s too soon for me to say it back.”

Jake smiled at that and lowered his head until his lips feathered across hers. Sharon began to pull back, thinking he was done, but his arms tightened and his lips returned, this time with power and purpose. A touch, some nibbles, before his lips locked onto hers and their mouths opened and tongues danced, tentatively at first, then with hunger. By the time he lifted his head, Sharon was glad for the support of his arms. He pulled her into him so she laid her head against the pounding heartbeat of his chest. Jake blew out a breath and she smiled, understanding completely.

“Sharon.”

She looked up then, saw the love in his eyes, and knew her eyes were tearing with the overpowering emotions filling her.
“Yes?”

He shook his head.
“Nothing… I’m moving too fast.”

The thud she heard was her heart dropping to her knees, Sharon realized.
“It’s okay. I understand. You need time.”

Jake
’s brows drew together. “What?
No!
I don’t need time. But I’m sure you do.”

Now that it was easier to breathe, Sharon punched him.
“Don’t tell me what I need. Ask me.”

Jake laughed.
“Yes, ma’am. What do you need?”

That was simple.
“You.”

Another long kiss, and then another, before they broke apart.
“We’d better get going if we’re going to have time to eat before we pick up your son.”

At the mention of Kyle, Sharon
’s heart skipped another beat, but she knew it was time to let her son in on the fact she was dating Jake. She just hoped he wouldn’t mind.

Dinner ended up being steak at a popular chain. Though the steak was cooked to perfection, it could have tasted like sawdust for all Sharon cared. Jake was all she could think about. His smile. His joy of life. His wanting to be with her. They left with just enough time to get back to the Hood house as the family and her son returned from church.

The curious looks on all their faces as she introduced Jake and herself to the coach were nothing but normal curiosity, which told her two things. Coach Hood didn’t recognize her, and Kyle wasn’t surprised she was in the company of the man she worked for. Of course, she’d have to explain why she was in his company once they were in the car.

Sharon didn
’t know where to start once they were buckled in; thankfully Kyle took it out of her hands.

“
Are you guys working on a Sunday?”

Sharon shook her head.
“No. Jake and I spent the day in Gatlinburg, and last night we went to a movie, and basically, we’re dating. Is that okay with you?”

Her son looked from one to the other of them, and then he shrugged before giving all his attention to Jake.
“Have you ever hit a woman?”

Sharon
’s gaze flew to Jake’s face. His expression of surprise would have been comical if not for the seriousness of her son’s question.

Jake shook his head slowly, his brows pulled together as he looked Kyle in the eyes.
“Of course not.”

Sharon turned back to her son only to see him nodding.
“Make sure you don’t start with my mother.”

Though his expression was concerned when he looked at Sharon, he turned back to Kyle with a nod.
“I guarantee you won’t ever have to worry about that with me.”

Sharon was finally able to exhale when Kyle nodded and smiled.

“We’re cool then.”

Jake smiled first at him and then at Sharon, and she couldn
’t help but smile back as the two most important men in her life were okay with each other.

“
Are you sleeping together?”

Sharon frowned at her son then.
“Kyle, that isn’t your business.”

Jake held his hand up to her.
“Maybe not, but I’d like to answer him anyway.”

After she nodded, Jake turned around in his seat again to look back at Kyle.
“We aren’t. But that isn’t to say we won’t. I want you to know, if and when we do, it’s because we’ve grown very close over the last few weeks, and we are both finding it’s leading to more than friendship.” Jake smiled. “Actually, it’s led to love.”

Sharon
’s heart melted and she couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to lay her fingers on his strong jaw. She turned back to Kyle. “I’ve never been this happy.”

Kyle looked from one to the other then slid down as far as his seatbelt would allow and closed his eyes.
“Cool.” He yawned. “I’m ready to go home.”

Chapter Eighteen

Sharon dressed for the game with great care, making sure there was nothing the least bit sexy or revealing. Though the air had cooled considerably over the past few days, it still wasn
’t quite cold enough to warrant the hoodie, scarf, and the ski mask she wanted to wear to completely hide herself from those who would attend the game.

In the past week she and Jake learned a lot about each other. His life was a cakewalk compared to hers. The hardest discussions they
’d had covered the abuse she suffered at both her mother’s hands and Gerald’s, but Jake’s reactions to it all were more than she could have asked for from any man. His compassion, his ability to listen and not judge, and his unwavering affection even after she revealed what a foolish child she’d been in her teens, solidified her feelings for him, and eliminated all the fears she’d had about revealing her past.

But the cocoon of safety while in his presence didn
’t negate the reality that those people she’d known while in her horrible teens would still be there waiting to judge her, and by association, judge and possibly reject him, or more frightening, her son.

“
Are you about ready, Mom?”

Sharon turned to Kyle and wanted to hug him so hard it hurt, but his mind was on the upcoming game and she didn
’t want to distract him from his purpose with her fears, so she smiled and nodded. “Yep!”

“
Are you staying? We have to be there an hour early so you’ll probably be bored.”

Sharon shook her head. Not only did she not want to sit in the stands alone until Jake joined her, there was something she had to do.
“I’m going to leave, but I’ll be back before kick-off. I can’t wait to see you do your stuff!”

Kyle grinned.
“I can’t wait either. But I’m a little nervous.”

Sharon walked to him and hugged him then, not surprised that he immediately stepped back when she let him go.
“Too big for a hug from your mother?”

His cheeks instantly pinked.
“No. Just don’t do it there, okay?”

Laughing, Sharon agreed.
“Never!”

Kyle smiled at her then and headed to the door.
“I’ll be in the Jeep.”

Sharon grabbed her jacket and purse and followed him out. The trip down the mountain, and then across town to Dragon Street took twenty minutes. Once she dropped Kyle off, she turned around and headed toward Scarbrough Drive and then turned left on Second. With a mixture of dread and anticipation, she turned right into Legend Memorial
’s parking lot and was fortunate enough to find a parking spot close to the main entrance of the hospital.

Determined not to talk herself out of it, Sharon made her way to the elevators and pressed the button for the third floor. Over the past week Jake had kept her apprised of her mother
’s declining condition, but until today, she hadn’t been able to force herself to come.

When she reached room three-twelve, Sharon blew out a breath and walked through the open door. The elderly woman in the first bed snored softly so Sharon quietly made her way past the curtain divider to find her mother also sound asleep.

In slumber, just like when she was awake, Candy looked decades older than she actually was. Her eyes fluttered open and only a slight movement of her brows indicated her surprise at seeing Sharon.

“
Hello, Mother.”

A lone tear slid down the side of Candy
’s face. “I didn’t think you would ever come.”

Sharon shrugged.
“I didn’t think I would either.”

Candy searched the area by her hip while watching Sharon. Finally she located the remote that allowed her to raise her bed enough so she was reclining.
“Why did you then?”

Sharon looked around the room, liking for the first time in years, her mother
’s environment was clutter- and odor-free. She looked back at Candy. “I’m not sure. I just felt like I needed to.

“
How are you doing?”

Instead of the tirade she expected, Candy bit her bottom lip before speaking.
“I’m pretty good actually. Had some really bad days going through the DTs. But my system is clean now.” She looked at her hands. “I’ve made a mess of my life. It didn’t seem to matter while I was intoxicated, which I guess I’ve been my entire adult life. But now I can see a lot of things more clearly.”

Candy looked up, regret and sorrow in her gaze.
“I’m really sorry, Sharon. I don’t expect or deserve your forgiveness. But I want you to know that I’m really sorry.” She exhaled a shaky sigh. “I’m going to try to stay sober. I can’t promise anything, but I’m going to meetings, and seeing Doc Jake weekly. He said if I don’t stop doing what I’m doing to myself, he won’t be my doctor anymore because he isn’t willing to watch me kill myself with alcohol.”

Sharon wasn
’t ready to involve her mother in her life yet, if ever again, so she didn’t comment. But knowing what Jake was doing, without even telling her, made her love him all the more.

“
I don’t know what else to say,” Candy said, softly.

Sharon walked over and took her mother
’s hand. “I can forgive, but only if you are really willing to change. It will take time, and I’ve got time, but you won’t see or have anything to do with Kyle or me until I know for certain you aren’t going back to who you’ve always been to me. I won’t have it in my life, and I won’t expose my son to it. So I hope you’re sincere.

“
I have to go now, but I’ll check back in on you soon.”

Candy nodded, the strain on her face making it clear she was trying desperately not to cry. Sharon braced herself against pity, knowing she needed time, and from now on her needs were going to be met by the people in her life, or they wouldn
’t be in her life. “Take care, Mother. I’ll be in touch.”

She released Candy
’s hand and turned to go, feeling better than she ever had after talking with her mother.

It only took minutes to get back to Legend High School but nearly fifteen more to find a place to park. She exited the vehicle and looked at those also walking to the football field. Some faces she recognized as people she
’d seen at one time or another, a few she actually knew when in school. But no one paid any attention to her other than giving her a friendly nod or smile when they looked her way.

Her confidence grew as she searched for Jake in the section she told him she
’d be in, and then her heart nearly stopped when she spotted him on the sidelines talking to Kyle Sanders.

With her legs nearly buckling, she stood where she was, but Jake must have felt her gaze because he turned and looked straight at her. Kyle turned too, and the surprise and pleasure in his gaze shook her to the core.

Since there was nothing else she could do, Sharon approached them, her heart beating painfully in her chest.

“
Hi, beautiful.”

Sharon barely smiled at Jake before turning her attention to Kyle.
“Hello.”

“
Hi! It’s great to see you. I didn’t know you’d returned to Legend. I just got here yesterday. I’ve been hired on as an assistant coach.”

Sharon couldn
’t speak. Had he met their son? Did he even know he had one? She had no idea.

“
Sharon? Are you okay?”

She turned to Jake.
“I’m, uh, fine.” She turned back to Kyle. “It’s…surprising to see you again. But I need to find my seat. Have a good game.”

Jake frowned at her, but Sharon couldn
’t say any more. She quickly turned and bumped into someone, but she couldn’t have cared less as she quickly made her escape.

“
Hey, wait up!”

Jake was at her side immediately and grabbed her elbow, took her to the end of the bleachers, and pulled her off to the side to give them privacy.

“What’s wrong? You look sick.”

Sharon slid up against him and locked her arms around his waist. Jake immediately hugged her to him.
“That’s him. The one I told you about. That’s Kyle’s father.”

They stood there in silence for long moments before Jake pulled back enough to look into her eyes.
“Are you okay?”

Sharon shook her head.
“I don’t know. Kyle…
my
Kyle doesn’t know him. And I have no idea if he even knows about my son. His father was so hateful to me, never allowed me to talk to him once I knew I was pregnant. I don’t know what to do.”

“
First, just calm down. We’ll watch the game then get your son. After that you’re going to need to talk to him, and then his father, and then we’ll see what happens. No matter what, Kyle is your son. Nothing will change that.”

Sharon nodded, thankful someone other than her could think clearly, because she couldn
’t. “Okay. Thank you. I’m sorry for falling apart like this.”

Jake studied her a moment longer.
“Just one thing. The new coach is a single man. And you told me that you were crazy in love with him back then. How do you feel about him now? Do you think, knowing he’s here and he’s the father of your child, that those feelings might resurface?”

Knowing she had to be honest, Sharon shrugged.
“I don’t know what I might feel for him anymore. It’s been years, and we were just kids. But all I can think about right now is how this will affect my son.”

Jake nodded.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m just so crazy about you….”

Sharon reached up and touched his lips with her fingers.
“I am crazy about you too. That won’t change either.”

Jake smiled as the National Anthem started.
“Let’s get back. I’m sure Kyle is looking for his mother.”