Page 17 of The Only Goal

Rachel laughs. “It’s okay. He just likes to sniff everything.” She bulges her eyes, making a face that pulls a laugh out of my sweet boy. “Come on. You can do this.”

Kai inches forward again, crouching down this time and holding out his hand. Fezzik gives it a quick sniff, his black nose twitching as he investigates this new person. Then he gives Kai’s thumb a lick and lets him stroke his fur.

“He’s soft.”

“I know, right?” Rachel beams at him, staying low until Kai is obviously comfortable, then rising to talk to me again. “Please let me know if there’s anything else you need. We’re not officially open yet, but I’m going to treat you like my first VIP guest.” She winks at me, and I fall just a little bit in love with her.

It takes everything in me not to start bawling on the spot. Her kindness is too much, yet exactly what I need.

Her gentle green eyes soften as she reaches out and rubs my arm. “I’m not sure exactly why you’re here, and you don’t have to tell me, but just know that we’ll take really good care of you.”

“Thank you.” I nod.

Rachel steps back from us, pointing down at the dog. “If you want him gone, just order him to go find Baxter and he’ll shoot out the door in a hot minute. He loves the guy.”

I can believe that. Baxter always had a way with animals. His mom used to joke that he was better with animals than he was with humans.

Watching Kai jump on the plush armchair and beckon Fezzik up beside him, I have to wonder if my son’s the same. Sure, he was scared at first… but that’s only because he’s never had pets in his life. I should get him a dog.

When we get back home, I?—

The thought cuts off, and I cross my arms, shrinking in on myself and fighting the urge to throw up. When we get back home? Is that my plan? To return to Hudson after I’ve had a chance to cool off? Or is this it? Is my marriage over and then… what? Am I a solo mother now? Do I have to find a job and support my son? What if Hudson decides to fight me for custody or something? What if?—

“Tammy? Are you okay?” Rachel’s soft voice slices through my panic, and I blink at her, barely able to nod.

After a thick swallow, I manage to rasp, “Yeah. All good. Just tired after driving all this way.” Lamest excuse ever.

“I’ll leave you to get some rest, then.” Her smile is kind, yet somehow all-knowing.

I look away from her, crossing my arms and digging my fingers into my biceps.

“You’re welcome to join us for dinner later, or I can deliver it up here to your room. Just let me know.” She walks for the door, gripping the handle before turning back to smile at me. “You’re safe here. I don’t know what’s going on, but Baxter’s pretty protective of us girls.”

“Us girls?” I frown, wondering if this is some kind of harem situation or something. Baxter said a bunch of them live here, but is it just Rachel’s boyfriend, Baxter, and a bunch of females?

“Yeah. I mean, all the guys are protective, but… I just know that Baxter will make sure you’re safe. If that’s the issue.”

I shake my head with a wobbly smile. “It’s not. It…” I wince, not even sure how to word this.

“Okay. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. I just want to make you feel better.”

My laughter is short and more of a scoff as I shake my head and feebly reply, “Thanks for trying, but I’m…” I shake my head again.

Rachel just nods with a smile and leaves the room.

As soon as the door clicks shut, my shoulders deflate, and I slump onto the bed. I don’t know what to do with myself. Baxter had to go to a hockey practice. He didn’t say much before he left, but I felt bereft when I knew he wasn’t in the house anymore. Thankfully, Rachel appeared with books, games, and food to distract us, but now she’s gone, somewhere inside this big villa, and I don’t know when Baxter will be back.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I glance over my shoulder at Kai. He’s happily pointing at pictures and making up stories. He knows some of the words on the pages but not all of them. I love his singsong whisper as he talks to himself, unaware of the world around him.

My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen. It’s Hudson again.

Where are you?

Tell me that you’re safe. Please.

I asked for space, and he gives me less than a day. He’s relentless! I find it so frickin’ ironic when he’ll go days at work, barely checking in, but as soon as I leave, he needs constant contact.

With a huff, I quickly reply.

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