Sea Breeze 04 - Just for Now

that had been haunting my dreams clearly so I could remember them when I was alone.
    “How are you?” she asked, breaking into my thoughts about how much I wanted her naked and under me again.
    “Good. I guess. I’ve been thinking about things.”
    I stopped and shifted my eyes to Brent, who was reading the menu, before looking back at her.
    “Me too. I’m sorry about how things came out.”
    Why was she sorry? I was the only one who should be sorry. “Manda, you have nothing to be sorry about. That was all on me.”
    A small grin tugged at the corner of her lips. Could they be any sexier? “Maybe. But I wasn’t thinking clearly either.”
    “I want a cheeseburger,” Brent announced, handing the menu to me. I needed the reminder that we had an audience. I’d almost said something Brent didn’t need to hear.
    “Good choice. It’s what I always get,” Amanda told him.
    “Preston brought me here once before and I had a cheeseburger. It was good. But I had to share my fries with Daisy ’cause she forgot to ask for some and wanted some once I got mine. It was annoying.”
    Amanda glanced back at me. “Who’s Daisy?”
    “My little sister. Preston treats her like a baby. She ain’t, though.”
    The smile on Amanda’s face softened. She liked that.
    “Preston has a thing for females. I’m sure his little sister is no different,” Amanda told Brent.
    Brent nodded. “Yeah, I know. Momma says he’s got a different girl every night—”
    “That’s enough, Brent.” I stopped him before he could get too out of hand. Brent grinned and ducked his head. He knew what he’d said.
    Amanda stifled a laugh, and her eyes twinkled with amusement as she looked at me through her long lashes.
Amanda
    Brent was adorable. He was Preston’s Mini-Me. I listened to him tell me about football practice and how his first game was coming up. Preston had signed Brent up and paid for him to play football this year, and Brent was extremely grateful. Something that small was a big deal to him. It made me wonder just how bad off Preston’s family was. I knew he’d grown up on the rough side of town, but I didn’t know exactly how bad it was.
    “So, can you come to my game next Saturday?” Brent asked, breaking into my thoughts. I hadn’t been expecting an invite. Peeking over at Preston, who was watching me closely, I wasn’t sure how to answer. I didn’t want to let Brent down, but I also didn’t want Preston to think I was using his brother to get to him. I didn’t want to get to him again. I’d done that. It hadn’t ended well.
    “Um, well, I’d love to come to your game. If that’s okay . . . with everyone. . . .” I trailed off, waiting for Preston to tell Brent why this wouldn’t be okay.
    “Cool, yeah, it’s fine. Preston will be there too. You can sit with him.”
    “Okay, bud, that’s enough. Don’t pressure Manda into anything. I’m sure she has plans.”
    There was the excuse I was waiting on Preston to throw in the path. I watched as Brent’s face fell, and I didn’t care anymore what Preston wanted. If he was worried about me coming there for him, then he could get over it. I wasn’t turning down Brent’s innocent invitation just to appease Preston.
    “I’ll be there. Can I bring a friend? He likes football too.” I had no idea who I was bringing, but it felt like the right thing to say at the moment. Letting Preston know I didn’t plan on coming to see him or sit by him was my main goal. I’d find a “friend” later.
    “Yeah! Cool. Bring whoever you want.” Brent’s eyes lit up. I could ignore the adult Preston, but the little boy who looked so much like him, with innocent hope in his eyes—I couldn’t turn that down.
    A short snippet of “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes played on my phone, alerting me to a text message. I needed the small distraction. I pulled my phone out of my purse and looked down to see Jason Stone’s name on the screen.
Jason: Can I call you?
    The reminder I needed that getting near Preston Drake was a bad idea. Jason was a good idea. He was safe. I glanced up at Preston. “I’m going to leave you two to your dinner. I’ve got a call to make, and I need to get home. I have an early class in the morning.”
    Preston’s forced smile didn’t go unnoticed. Why was he annoyed? I turned my attention to Brent. “I’ll be at your game. Have Preston text me the details,” I told him.
    His big grin was worth the uncomfortable situation he had put me