Page 51 of The Only Goal

She gave me a tight smile and nodded. “I know you will.”

Then she walked out of the room. I shared a glance with Rachel, who looked kind of pained. “I think she’s starting to realize that she needs to earn some money, and she’s really not sure how.”

“We’ll look after her.”

“I know you want to, Bax.” Rachel’s eyes shone with understanding. She knows what Tammy means to me. I told her and Lani about it months ago. Of course, I didn’t expect Tammy and Kai to show up when I was sharing that shit, but here they are and… I still haven’t done anything about it.

What am I waiting for?

I guess I wanted to know for sure that Tammy had left Hudson.

Well, it’s been two weeks, and she still hasn’t said one word about returning to him. Plus, I noticed she’s not wearing her rings anymore. That means it must be over, right? Which means I could probably tell her how I feel and that I’d do anything to keep her and Kai safe. I want to provide for them, give them a home.

But would that just freak her out?

I shake my head with a huff, wishing I could be more decisive over this, have more courage. But there’s so much at stake. If I bear my soul and she’s not interested, that will be so awkward, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s gotta leave… and I don’t want to be in this house trying to avoid her either.

It’s better that I just keep things as they are.

Kai’s doing great. He seems to love it here.

Tammy’s settled… most of the time.

“Hey, Baxter!” I turn at the sound of her voice. “Sorry to bother you, but do you know where Kai’s panda is? We’re about to start story time, and he can’t find Mr. Beans.”

“Yeah, I think I saw him in the den. He was watching TV this afternoon.”

“Okay, thanks.”

She disappears back through the door, and I wrap up the stick-throwing with Fezzik. We get back inside, and the little pup shakes off before trotting toward the entrance. He’s no doubt wanting in on story time, and I grin as he fires up the stairs.

The house is so quiet this evening.

It will be all weekend.

The guys have an away game, and the girls decided to join them for a change. They left after classes yesterday and won’t be back until Sunday evening. Since they’ve gone to the effort of flying to Arizona for the game, they figure they might as well enjoy Sunday there as well.

I was invited to join them but didn’t want to leave Tammy and Kai alone. And even though Mick suggested they come, too, I knew Tammy would feel the pressure of paying for flights. She might have access to money, but I get the sense that she doesn’t really want to use it. Because it’s not her money… it’s Hudson’s.

I really should ask her how things are going there and if she’s made any official moves to end it with him. But I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. She’ll talk to me when she’s ready, right? No point forcing the words out of someone.

Although I’m dying to know what’s going on.

Surely Hudson will be missing his wife and son.

Surely he’s tried to reach out and contact them.

Is Tammy keeping their location a secret?

Could she get in trouble for doing that?

Worry eats away at my insides while I clean up the dishes from dinner and make sure the kitchen is spotless. Rachel’s not back until tomorrow night, but still. I feel compelled to keep her space as clean as she likes it… even when she’s not here.

By the time I’m done, Tammy is padding into the kitchen. She’s in bare feet and a little cotton nightdress that makes my heart hitch. It comes to her knees, and she’s wearing a flimsy sweater over the top of it. The house is nice and toasty thanks to the underfloor heating Mr. Hyde insisted we install, and I’m grateful for it as I watch Tammy’s smooth legs approach me.

My gaze trails up her body, but then I flinch when I see that she’s watching me check her out.

“Uh…” I clear my throat. “Kai all settled?”

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