Dare to Kiss (The Maxwell Series Book 1) by S.B. Alexander Page A

have been a good idea. “Relaxing has nothing to do with trusting people, Dad.”
    “Regardless, remember what Dr. Meyers told you. You need to learn to break down your walls. When you do that, then you’ll begin to heal. You’ve made significant improvement in less than a year, Sweet Pea. And baseball is helping that, I’m sure. Now allow your friends to get to know you, that’s all I’m saying.”
    I only had two friends—Tyler and Becca. Could I trust them? The jury was still out, although Tyler had a large part of my trust. He hadn’t said anything to anyone about the gun incident with Kade—at least, not that I knew of.
    Dad made a pot of chili for dinner. He had a few signature dishes—aside from chili, he made the most delicious lasagna, and he loved to make beef stew.
    After dinner, I washed dishes and cleaned up while Dad went into the family room to pick out a couple of movies. I decided to ditch the football game. I sent Becca a text message letting her know I would be hanging out with my dad. She was disappointed that I would miss the game. I hated that she was upset, but it was the first time in a long time Dad didn’t have to work on Friday night. He’d hired a night manager, and he wanted to see how the guy handled the situation without him for one night. If Dad had to go in, though, he would. He’d said he was tired, and the dark circles under his eyes supported that, plus he wanted to hang out with me.
    Once the kitchen was cleaned, I popped two bags of popcorn in the microwave then joined Dad in the family room. Halfway through our second movie my phone beeped.
    It was a text from Tyler. Where were you? You missed my game.
    I’m sorry. My dad stayed home tonight. Hanging with him. Did you win?
    Of course.
    Cocky, aren’t you?
    Maybe. Need help practicing tomorrow?
    Yep. I could always use his help.
    See u at the field.
    “Everything okay?” Dad stretched in the leather recliner.
    “Yeah. It was just Tyler asking if I was practicing tomorrow. I have to keep the momentum up for tryouts next week.”
    “Jot down the dates on the calendar in the kitchen for me, please,” he said.
    After I put my phone on the coffee table, I curled up again on one end of the couch. We resumed watching Miracle . Dad loved this movie. We’d watched it at least a dozen times during the past year. He’d said the story instilled a sense of how humans could overcome adversity. I liked it because it showed me dreams could come true. As the credits rolled and Dad snored, I said a small prayer that we would both make it through this next year.
    Puffy clouds drifted lazily across the sky as the sun rose on Saturday morning. I met Tyler at the school’s ball field bright and early. He had everything ready for our two-hour practice instead of three. I couldn’t do more than that. My arm was becoming a noodle with all the pitches I’d been throwing.
    “Hey, Lacey,” Tyler said in a chipper voice. “You look well rested.” He wore a Kensington High sweatshirt and black sweatpants.
    “I do? Or are you being sarcastic because I didn’t go to the game last night?”
    “Maybe.” He dumped a bag of baseballs into a five-gallon bucket behind home plate.
    “I told you I was sorry. Why was it so important for me to be there?”
    He raked his gaze over me slowly. Ooookay . Under his scrutiny, a sinking feeling swirled in my stomach. Dropping the bag he’d been holding, he gently grasped my wrists.
    I didn’t move. What was he doing? We were friends. Moving closer, his gaze lowered to my lips. I blinked a few times, praying I didn’t have to kick him in the balls like I’d done to Kade.
    “Get a room, you two.” Out of nowhere, a familiar voice cut through the sudden tension between Tyler and me. I was never so glad to hear Kelton’s voice.
    Slowly, Tyler dragged his attention from me to Kelton. “Hey, dude.” He let go of me.
    What the heck just happened ? “What’s he doing here?” I asked, trying to shake