The Nerd and the Jock (1st bk of Nerd Series)

Chapter 23- Blake

The next morning, I sat at Bailey's table and watched her lost in my thoughts. I had no idea how I had gotten close to her in such a short time, but I was glad that I did. I had no idea that she was such an amazing and caring person when we were first met, and I was glad to see a part of her that not many people got to see.

Bailey was humming along with the radio while she whipped up some fresh homemade pancakes, and I saw first hand just how relaxed she was in this kitchen, unlike the one she had at the apartment.

She had the space to move around more than she did in the kitchen at the apartment, and I could see that she was happy to be in a space she grew up in. Her humming was soft and melodious, and I couldn't help but wonder how she sounded when she sang something.

She caught sight of me staring at her and smiled before she turned her attention back to what she was doing, this time not humming. Her whole body was still relaxed, and I was happy that she was relaxed in my presence.

Finally, she stopped humming along with the radio and turned it down. "You know," she said, cocking her head while she studied me. "You could set the table if you want something to do and not staring at me." She gave me a pointed look, and I smiled innocently.

I leaned back in the seat that I resided in and shrugged my shoulder. "No," I replied, shaking my head and keeping my gaze on her. "I think staring at you is exactly what I need to do."

She snorted, and her cheeks turned slightly red while she looked away from me. "I don't think so, Blake," she replied. She shrugged and grimaced while she finished cooking the food for everyone. "I mean, there isn't anything interesting in what I'm doing." She paused and cocked her head. "Besides making food for all of us."

I shrugged again. "I think it is interesting," I replied, watching as she placed the bacon onto a plate. "I mean, who knew that someone could make a lot of food in a short span of time."

She shrugged. "It's not that difficult," she replied. "And I have growing kids who love to eat me out of house and home." She gave me a pointed look, and I smiled innocently. "And not to mention that I have three other guests here."

I shrugged. "I mean, you could've kicked us out last night," I replied. I gave her a pointed look, and she smiled innocently. "So technically, it is your fault that we are still here."

She shook her head and chuckled, amused. "As much as I hate to admit, Blake, I do enjoy your company." She looked at me, her blue eyes filled with sincerity and truth.

My cheeks turned red, and I cleared my throat before I looked away. I had no idea why she said that, but it made me feel warm inside because I knew she wouldn't have said it if she hadn't meant it.

"Awwww," she teased, and I looked up at her and scowled. A smile was on her lips, and her eyes danced with merriment. "Did I get the star football player to blush like a girl?" she asked, cooing.

My cheeks turned a darker red, and I was very grateful that no one else was in the room to see it. "Shut up," I mumbled, earning a laugh from her. I groaned and rubbed my cheeks, trying to soothe the burning redness.

She chuckled and turned her attention back to getting the food into bowls and onto plates so that she would be able to put them on the table. "If you tell anyone that I said that, I would deny it, Blake. I hope you know that." She gave me a pointed look, and I smiled innocently because I knew full well that she would do that.

"I know," I replied, nodding my head. I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat, having this urge to say something in hopes of earning a blush from her. "Just for the record," I paused just long enough for her to look at me with a raised eyebrow and smiled, "I do enjoy your company, too."

A wide smile appeared on her face, and her eyes danced with merriment and happiness. Much to my relief, her cheeks turned a soft pink when I said that, but she didn't look as embarrassed as I was. Her whole face seemed to become a shade lighter while she beamed with happiness and relief. "Good," she replied, turning her attention back to her cooking. She looked up and winked, teasingly. "It means I don't have to kill you."

I raised an eyebrow and cocked my head while I studied her. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing because I knew that she could kill me if I crossed paths with her. "I don't think you have it in you," I replied after I made sure that I wouldn't laugh. "You would miss my company."

She narrowed her eyes and cocked her head while she studied me. "Oh, ya?" she asked, and I nodded in confirmation. "Who says?"

"Me," I replied. "I say that you would miss my company if you kill me." I narrowed my eyes. "Admit it, Bailey." My heart pounded hard in my chest while I looked at her. "Say that you would miss my company."

Bailey cocked her head further and studied me, her face becoming normal. She didn't say a word, and I couldn't help but forget how to breathe while she studied me intensely. Finally, she shook her head and looked away. "I can't," she replied. She looked up and winked, smiling. "That would mean I have to lie, and I don't want to do such a thing.

I let out the breath that I was holding and slouched in my seat. I had no idea if she would miss my company or not, and I prayed that she would if she killed me. "Damn..." I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat. "You're heartless."

She smiled innocently and winked. "I know," she replied. "Absolutely heartless."