Page 26 of The Sweet Spot

“Holy shit, Deacon Kane. That woman’s got you bad. Deacon, the bachelor, is done. I can see it in your eyes.”

I open my mouth to stop her, but Isla steamrolls over me like she always does. “I can’t even tell you how happy that makes me. I mean, it changes things... sort of.” She hops up on her white sandals, beaming like I just handed her the world, and I’m not really following.

A night of non-stop mind-blowing sex and no sleep will definitely slow response time.

I may have left my higher-level reasoning in that lake.

I smirk to myself... Or maybe it’s on the shower floor.

“Deacon . . . Are you listening to me?”

I cross my arms over my chest and shake my head. “We’re divorced, Isla. I don’t have to listen to you anymore. That’s Shaun’s job now.”

She rolls her eyes the exact same way Kennedy does, and it makes me smile until I remember yesterday’s call. “What are you doing here, Isla?”

“Shaun and I talked last night, and as much as the thought absolutely kills me, I think Kennedy should stay with you. We’ll be gone a minimum of one year, but it could possibly be two. I don’t think dragging our already-anxious daughter to a country where she doesn’t know the language or the customs is fair to her. But I owe this to my husband. He’s been working toward this position for years and already turned it down once before because he didn’t want to put me in this position. He told me again last night that we don’t have to do this, but he’s lying to himself. He has to do this. If they pass him over again, he’ll never get another chance. I’ll try to come home as much as I can, but I don’t know how often that will be.”

I lean back against the dresser, unsure what I’m supposed to say.

“Isla . . .”

“Don’t, Deacon. I cried so much last night, I shouldn’t have any tears left to cry. But they’re right there, sitting behind my eyes, waiting for me to crack. It’s why I forced Shaun to come home early. I needed to talk to you face-to-face. And I can’t even tell you how happy I am to know that you have someone in your life. Will she be able to help you when you’re on the road?”

She asks the question with so much hope that I take the coward’s way out and nod.

I hadn’t given that any thought because I took the job before Isla told me they were moving, and until now, I had no idea I’d become her primary parent.

I don’t bother telling her I’m not sure what Brynlee and I are because I know what I want us to be. “She works for the hockey team now.”

“Oh? In the office?” She stands and pours herself a cup of coffee, then adds a spoonful of whipped cream.

Fuck. I had plans for that whipped cream.

“No. She’s the team’s physical therapist. But she just gave her notice. Her father is a former MMA world champion. He runs a gym now, and she’s going to work for him.”

She crinkles her brow. “Was that... Are you in love with a Kingston?” She gasps, excitedly, and I groan in frustration.

“Boundaries, Isla.”

“Fine. But that’s her, right? Her mom runs the football team? The Kroydon Kronicles loves to write about her and her friends.”

“Isla—”

“Deacon . . .”

“She’s a St. James,” I tell her even though Brynlee is every bit Kingston, even if it’s not her last name.

She mimes zipping her lips.

“Do you need to figure out whether you can do this, Deacon? We’re talking about our baby. If you’re not sure whether you’re up to it?—”

“I don’t need time. I’m her father, and this is what’s best for our daughter. Thank you for trusting me, Isla.” Her lip quivers, and she puts down her coffee and walks into my arms. We hug like the friends we are until she starts laughing and steps away.

“Two things.”

I wait, not knowing where she’s going with this.

“One, I want to do a dinner this weekend with all of us and your new Kingston.”

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