Page 30 of Tight End

“No, nothing like that. Friend and co-parent. I’m sorry I brought it up. It was clearly a bad idea.”

I blow out a breath, shaking my head, and start to stand, but June stops me, placing a light hand on my forearm. “It’s not a terrible idea. I guess I didn’t realize you were really famous. Wow.”

“I know it’s not ideal, and I can’t predict how the fans and the media will handle the fact I have a son. It may roll over fairly quickly, but you never know. We could have gossip reporters hanging out for months.”

She nods, her hand slipping away. “Setting up your account is easy, and it’s only natural to post about your life. A lot of people do it, maybe some too much. But, you know, if you’re going to do videos with me, you’re going to have to actually do yoga. You can’t just stand there in the background looking creepy.”

“It’s no problem. I’m a professional athlete.” I can bend over and touch my toes. Okay, I can bend over. It’s just stretching, right? If a soccer mom with three kids can do it, I shouldn’t have any issues.

This time when she smirks, there’s a bit of an evil glint in her eyes, like she’s planning out several different ways to torture me. “We’ll see. Might help your game too.”

I doubt that, but I’m not going to argue, especially if she’s willing to help me out. I just hope this whole thing doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

TWELVE

June

He offered to do yoga,we all heard it, and that’s definitely something that’s going to come back and bite him in the ass. I’ve worked with guys like him. They think it’s easy. They think it’s no big deal. And then they end up having to practically drag themselves to their cars because they weren’t ready for a real workout.

I’m sure he was hoping I’d wave him off, not hold him to his offer, but I really do think it can help him on the field. It’s no different from football players taking ballet. Not to be biased or anything, but I do think yoga is leagues better.

Although I’d pay good money to see Ryan in a tutu. A light-pink one.

Plus, with the now-added financial strain, money is going to be tighter, paying for advertising will be harder, and I could really use some help. If he’s as famous as I think he is, he’ll be a great asset for the studio. Not me, the studio.

“Mom.” Oliver crawls out of the tent, his shoulders slumping forward as he yawns. Poor guy must be exhausted.He’s usually already taken a nap, but today has been such a clusterfuck that time got away from us. “Can I ...?”

Another yawn.

“Do you think it’s time for a nap?” As soon as I say the wordnap, Oliver is shaking his head and telling me no. “If you take a nap, when you get up, we can convince your dad to order some pizza, and maybe we can have a movie night.”

“The one with the monsters?” He perks up, his eyes looking between Ryan and me.

“What one with the monsters?” Ryan turns toward me and whispers.

I don’t answer him; he’ll figure it out soon enough. It’s one of Oliver’s favorite movies, which means we watch it one to three times a week. I do, however, give Oliver a nod. “Sure. I bet your dad hasn’t seen it yet.”

“Yeah.” One more yawn and he points to the tent behind him. “Can I nap in here today?”

Ryan jumps to his feet, beelining for the closet. “Sure, Oli. I can bring you a few blankets and some pillows.”

“Can you nap with me?”

My chest swells with emotion and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. My damn throat clogs, and I can barely breathe. Time seems to stand still, and Ryan freezes right in front of the closet, his hand extended toward the door handle. I can’t see his face, but if he’s feeling an ounce of what I am, I’m not sure I need to.

I just ... I never thought this moment would happen. For years I was so worried Oliver wouldn’t have a dad, that he would be missing out on a huge part of his life.

I love him with all my heart, but it doesn’t make up for a whole person. It can’t. I hated thinking he would suffer for my mistake.

Oliver yawns again and Ryan spurs into action. He pulls open the closet, glancing back at us, his eyes going to Oli before landing on me. I’m not sure what this could mean, this indecipherable look he’s giving me, but it throws me off-balance. Should I stare him down? Should I look away? Do I pretend there’s fuzz all over the sweater I changed into earlier?

Before I can decide, Ryan takes my decision away, turning around and quickly pulling a stack of bedding from the closet. “I could use a nap. As long as you don’t mind me taking up half the tent, I’d love to nap with you. Do you snore? I bet you snore?”

“You might take up the whole tent.” Oliver laughs, extending his arms out to demonstrate. “And I bet you snore.”

Now that he’s gotten in his parting shot, Oli gives me a quick hug and dives back into the tent, making sure the stuffed dino goes with him.

Ryan chuckles, and while he may be across the room, it runs right through me. It’s deep, throaty, and just as sexy as those shoulders of his. Maybe more so because I can vividly picture him between my legs, that rumbly chuckle rolling across my skin, the warning I get before he lashes my clit with his tongue. He’s the only man to put his mouth on me like that, and I’ll never forget how good it felt.

---