Page 89 of The Only Goal

“Mommy and Daddy don’t want any.”

“Yeah, well… like I said, they’re talking right now.”

I tried to stop him running through before, but he wouldn’t listen. Sweet Kai, so oblivious to how awkward it would be for Hudson to see me.

I don’t even know if he’s aware that Tammy and Kai have been staying with me. Has she mentioned my name or kept me out of the picture?

If I was just a respite while she processed what Hudson did, it’d probably be easier if my name never came up in conversation.

A bitterness twists through me as I try to relive, and analyze, the look on her face when she held up her bare ring finger and told me she was divorcing Hudson. Did she mean it at the time? Or was she just lying to me? Maybe she was lying to herself.

My heart is heavy, my chest aching.

The kitchen door swings open and Tammy walks through it, looking pale and wrecked.

I stand up, wanting to go to her, wrap her in my arms, and comfort her.

But it’s not my comfort she seeks, right?

She looks at me, her eyes teeming with sadness.

Shit.

She’s about to tell me something I don’t want to hear.

She’s gonna break my heart, and I can’t…

“I can’t do this,” I murmur.

“Baxter, please. Can we just talk for?—”

“No.” I shake my head, backing away from her. “I can’t hear you say goodbye.”

Rachel’s gone still by the stove, her large green eyes staring at me while I walk for the door.

“Baxter,” Tammy whimpers.

I stop in the archway to the mudroom, gripping the frame and looking over my shoulder. “It’s okay.” I try for a brave smile. “I know you’re going back to him. I can tell by the look on your face.”

She goes to shake her head, but she’ll be lying to the whole room if she does that.

It’s not just about her and me.

It’s about Kai.

And even though I could be his stepdad, I’m not his flesh and blood.

She knows it.

I know it.

The easiest choice is that she returns to her marriage. She still loves Hudson. Who wouldn’t, right? He’s the big catch.

Clenching my jaw, I sniff and force myself to say it. “It’s probably the right thing to do anyway. Can’t go breaking up a family.”

Her chin bunches.

“It’s always been him anyway. I get it. We’re friends…” My jaw shakes as I try for a smile. “High school buds.”

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