Page 56 of The Sweet Spot

“Later, Kane.” Ripley ends the call, and I look around the empty house.

He’s not wrong. Isla’s going to be chattier than normal. It’s what she does when she’s nervous, and we’re all nervous. This is a ton of fucking change for Kennedy. And what the hell am I supposed to do if my kid hates Brynlee?

As all the possible ways tonight can go to shit race through my mind, I hear the doorbell ring before it cracks open. “Honey... I’m home.”

Guess I forgot to lock the door.

I make a mental note to get her a key.

Not sure when the sound of her voice started to fucking center me, but that’s exactly what it does. “I’m in the kitchen, dear,” I tease as a tiny tornado runs ahead of Brynn into the kitchen and right into my leg. The little white and brown puppy lays its head on my foot and snorts, kinda like a piglet.

“What the hell, Brynn?”

She laughs sweetly and places two pink bakery boxes on the counter, then lifts up on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck. “Deacon, meet Winnie.” Her citrusy scent is almost as mouthwatering as she is when she runs her lips over mine. “She’s not the most energetic thing in the world. But she’s a great bed buddy.”

“I’m the only bed buddy you need, wife.” I lift her up and sit her on the counter in front of me, then move between her legs and cup her face, forcing her eyes to mine. “How did this morning go with your mom?”

“You’re going to be gone half the season. Winnie will be right here, keeping me and Kennedy company.”

The fact she even thought to include my daughter in that sentence pulls at something deep in my fucking chest.

“And. . . my mom was her normal overbearing self. But that’s her, and she’s not going to change. Let’s focus on your family tonight, okay? We’ll have plenty of time to talk about my dysfunction later.”

“You okay?” I ask, just before pressing my lips to her forehead. “This isn’t one-way, you know? You’re helping me. Let me help you.”

She drops her hands to my chest and smiles. “Once I’m done with the Revolution and I tell my parents about you, there’ll be plenty for you to deal with. Just be thankful Max is the Revolution’s GM and not my mother.”

“Hello...” Isla calls out as my front door opens.

“Knocking isn’t optional, Mom,” Kennedy lectures, and I smile.

Winnie’s head lifts slowly from the floor, and she looks Brynlee’s way but doesn’t move. She’s a cute, roly-poly little thing.

“You ready for this?” I ask Brynn as she shakes her head no. “Too late now, wife.”

Kennedy is the first to walk into the kitchen, and she stops abruptly when she sees Brynn and me. Her body language is closed off. Lanky arms that she hasn’t quite grown into yet are crossed over her chest as she glares at us. “Mom says it’s rude to sit on the counter.”

“Kennedy—” Isla chastises as Brynlee hops down.

“No, it’s fine,” Brynn reassures. “Your mom is right,” she offers with a big beautiful smile. “Your dad is just so tall that it’s easier to see his eyes if I cheat and gain a few inches.”

Winnie picks that moment to realize new people have walked in the room, and she moves behind Brynn’s leg, probably scared of the new people.

My daughter tilts her head to watch the chubby puppy.

“Who’s that?” Kennedy questions, and I know she’s talking about the dog, but I see my chance, and I take it.

I put my arm around Brynn and glance around the room at Kennedy, Isla, and Shaun. “Guys, this is Brynlee... My wife.”

Brynlee

Well that was one way to share the news.

Deacon may be good at many, many things, but apparently tact isn’t one of them.

“She meant the dog,” I whisper, my eyes darting between Kennedy and Deacon.

Isla looks utterly shell-shocked, which is a complete one-eighty from the first time we met. “Oh my.” She walks forward to hug Deacon, then turns to me. “Well you two certainly move fast.”

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