Page 52 of The Only Goal

“Yeah, he was asleep before I even finished the book.” She grins, reaching for a mug and filling it with water. “Thanks to you, that kid is sleeping like a log most nights. You sure know how to tire him out.”

“It’s the puppy.” I shrug.

She laughs. “You mean the puppy that is currently curled up at his feet?” She winces. “I’m not going to get in trouble for that, am I? I doubt the dog will be allowed in the rooms once guests start arriving.”

“Yeah, Vanessa would have a fit. We’re going to have to train the little guy, that’s for sure.”

“Well, you’re running out of time.”

“Yeah, I know.” I cringe, gripping the edge of the counter and watching her heat the water in the microwave and pull out a teabag.

“You want one?”

“Nah, I’m good.” I brush my hand through the air, my heart starting to thrum when her dimples pop into place.

She turns to me, her brown eyes lighting with a smile that calls to me like a siren’s song.

“Thanks for being so great with him. You’re so kind and patient.”

I shrug, brushing off the compliment. “He’s an easy kid to like.”

“Because he never says anything?” She smirks and shakes her head.

I let out a soft laugh. “Has he always been that quiet?”

“I guess. He speaks when he has to.” She quirks her eyebrow. “Sound familiar?”

I’m sure I’m blushing as I tip my head and cross my arms. “I always think it’s best to wait until you have something of value to say. The world’s already full of enough bullshit.”

The microwave beeps and she takes out her mug, cradling it in her hands and gazing up at me. “I always loved that about you.” Her eyes start to glass over, and she gives me a watery smile. “I’ve really missed you, you know? I’ve missed us.”

CHAPTER 23

TAMMY

There. I finally said it.

And Baxter looks like a soft breeze could blow him over right about now.

With a quiet tut, I reach for my teabag and start dunking it in the boiling water.

I’m probably venturing into really dangerous territory here, but I can’t help myself.

I’ve been here for two weeks, and Baxter and I have yet to have one decent conversation. It’s all surface features and stuff about Kai.

He hasn’t asked about what went down with Hudson. He hasn’t asked me how I’m really doing or where I’m planning to go in the future.

He’s just acted like me being here is the most normal thing in the world.

Which it kind of is, but also totally isn’t.

I know I can never get back what we once had, but the least we can do is remember it. Maybe reminiscing might help fix what’s broken between us.

Dropping the hot teabag in the sink, I take a seat on the kitchen stool, leaning my arms against the island. “Do you remember that time we tried to make teabags fly? You saw that clip on YouTube—Bill Nye the Science Guy or something—and you wanted to try it.”

There’s a heavy beat before he snorts out a laugh and shakes his head. “I burned a permanent mark into your mom’s kitchen counter.”

“And we told her it was Dad when he was cooking dinner.” I wince, fighting a laugh.

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