Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Her arms fall to her sides, and the wall that was hiding the electric green of her eyes from me slowly lowers. She shifts, glancing down at the floor and exhales sharply. When she looks at me, I get a semblance of a grin, but I’m not going to argue about it. I’ll take anything she’s willing to give. “It meant a lot to me, too, Griffin. I’m sorry that this has spiraled out of control.”
“Life came at us fast, huh?”
“That’s what I get for taking my eye off the ball.”
I smirk but keep it restrained out of respect. “Using baseball analogies now?”
“Tennis,” she snarks, twisting her lips to try to hide the smile that bounds forth right after.
With a shrug, I reply, “I’ll give it to ya.”
Her stance relaxes through her shoulders and hips, and the smile doesn’t wash away, but it does soften. “All this trouble because I thought a wild and nameless night was a good idea.” A laugh follows, but it’s filled with the sound of regret more than humor.
“Hey,” I say, reaching over to tap her hand before pulling back. “It was a good idea if it meant I got to meet you not only once but twice because of it.” I raise my left arm just off my side. “And we have a son.” The words hit harder this time, like they’re finally sinking in. I exhale slowly, but that doesn’t alleviate the emotions wanting to consume the rest of me, just as they have my heart. “A son.” I drop my head into my hand, feeling the weight of the words. The responsibility. The connection I have to him by blood. My blood. My mom’s grandson. Fuck . . .
Cricket wraps her arms around me and kisses my head. “It’s okay.” She laughs gently. “I felt the same. It’s amazing and shocking all at once.” When I lift to look at her, she says, “And the best thing that ever happened to me.”
My chest is so tight, the hold this kid already has on my heart feels immeasurable. How is that possible when I don’t even know if he’ll like me. “What if he doesn’t want me in his life?”
Her smile is soft at the corners, but there’s a confidence in her eyes. “Jacob’s going to love you so much. What’s not to love about a dad who plays your favorite sport?”
I want to chuckle, but she’s probably not that far off. “I can get this kid to the majors.”
“We’ll focus on kindergarten first.” She gives me a wink. It’s playful in nature but comforts me in a way she’s not even aware. The tightness in my chest loosens under her gaze and the warmth of her proximity.
“Kindergarten? That’s a year late to be starting Little League.” He had a solid grip on that hobby horse. All he needs to do is turn it sideways, and he’ll be hitting homers in no time. Well, in about fifteen years. Twelve if we work on it. “I’m starting him on T-ball as soon as possible. When’s his birthday?”
She slow blinks at me, already knowing I’m up to no good. “His birthday is May third.”
“Perfect. He’ll be four before the Little League deadline at the end of August.”
“Oh lordy.” She rolls her eyes and plops in a chair in front of me. “I think you should meet him first.”
I sit on the edge of the couch closest to her. Reaching forward, I cover her knee with my hand. Her skin is as warm as her gaze when she looks at me. There’s no fear and no anger. All I see are her beautiful greens with trust lying inside. “I want to tell you something.”
“Okay,” she says with a hint of nerves in her voice. “What is it?”
“I think you’re amazing.” Her smile returns, and even a glimpse of what I would have typically considered charmed, but I know that doesn’t fit. I’m just not sure how to read her eyes when they look a lot like they did last night at Whiskey’s.
She covers my hand with hers. “Why is that?”
“The gravity of what you’ve done, raising our son and keeping him safe.” I smirk, though I try not to be an asshole about it. “Teaching him baseball. Thank you.” Tears swarm in the inside corners of her eyes, and this time, she drops her head down as if she’s too shy to cry in front of me. Moving in, I kneel in front of her and take this incredible woman in my arms. “I wish I could have been there, but since I couldn’t, I’m glad he has you as a mom.”
As a sob racks her body, I take her into my arms to hold her, console her, or whatever she needs from me. Her tears fall against my neck while I rub her back. Kissing the side of her head doesn’t stop her emotions from coming, but when she leans against me, I know it was the right thing to do. I lift her into my arms and situate her on my lap. Her long hair flows over my shoulder and down the other side of her face. Tucking the strands behind her ear, I get to see this stunning woman I’m in total awe of.