Page 89 of Tight End

“This is my mother, Margaret, and I’m June. Ryan’s told me so much about you. I’m sorry we haven’t found time to meet sooner.” I hold out my hand, hoping she’ll take my peace offering, hoping she doesn’t find me lacking, especially since she knew Caitlin. But instead of shaking my hand, she steps toward me and pulls me into a hug.

Her arms wrap around me tightly, and the air whooshes out of my lungs, not because she’s crushing me, which she kind of is, but because her hug is so warm. So accepting.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for you, June. I’m so glad my boy found you.” She whispers in my ear and pulls back, keeping her arms on my shoulders, taking in my floral dress. “You’re so beautiful.” And then she turns to my mom and opens her arms for another hug. “Maggie, I’m Nicole. It looks like we’re family now.”

My breath stalls in my lungs, and this time Ryan’s jaw practically falls to the floor. She called her Maggie. No one calls her Maggie. It takes my mom a few seconds, but she smiles. Like an actual genuine smile. And then hugs her.

I don’t know what kind of spell she’s put on my mother, but I need her to stay with us and never leave.

They pull apart, and by some miracle my mom loops her arm with Ryan’s mom. “I hope you brought your appetite. My ex-husband is on grill duty, and he has a tendency to overdo things.”

Nicole gasps, clearly faking surprise. “Are you telling mehewas the drama queen?”

“Yep.”

“Men. I know exactly what that’s like.”

They both cackle—that’s the only word suitable to describe the noise they’re both making as my mom leads Ryan’s mom outside. What the heck just happened?

Ryan grabs my hand, lacing his fingers with mine, and leans toward me, lowering his voice to a whisper. “What just happened? Did we witness hell freezing over?”

“I think so,” I whisper back, rising up on my tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. “I’m not really sure what to do. Your mom seems great, though, and after you warned me about the cane, I’m surprised to see her walking so well without it.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Today is a good day. She likes you, you know.”

We head into the kitchen, trailing a bit behind the moms, who are still walking with arms linked and whispering conspiratorially. “I’m so relieved. After Caitlin, I was really worried she’d hate me.”

He tugs on my hand, slowing us down, and turns me to face him. “Oh, she didn’t like Caitlin when we were together. She thought she was all wrong for me. In fact, I’d say she was a combative witness at the wedding.” He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “She coughed rather loudly when they asked if anyone had any objections. I really thought she was going to jump up, hands raised, and let us both have it.”

“That would have been a memorable moment.” I laugh, glancing at my mom as she opens the door to the back patio. “I’m sorry about my mom. She can be a lot sometimes.”

“She’s got nothing on Coach Wolfe. And don’t worry, there’s nothing she can say that will scare me off. I saw you vomit, and trust me, it was very unladylike. We’re bound together forever.”

“Ugh. Is there a chance we can forget that ever happened?”

“Nope. But cute of you to think so.” He gives me another quick kiss and nods toward the backyard. “Come on, let’s go introduce our son to my mom.”

I don’t know why that fills my stomach with nervous butterflies, but it does. His mom seems great, and she’s going to be good with Oliver, there’s no doubt in my mind. Maybe it’s because there’s another person who’s going to want a piece of him, someone who’s going to want some of his time. Silly, I know. He’s also going to have another person to love him, support him, and that’s really all that matters.

And Ryan’s mom lives alone, and while she tells Ryan not to worry about her, we need to make more of an effort to get to know her, to keep her company.

When we get outside, she’s still standing with my mom, and they’re watching Oliver kick a soccer ball with Poppy and Kinsley. They’re both wearing wistful smiles and his mom, Nicole, swipes under her eyes.

Oliver sees us first and runs full speed at Ryan. My breath catches in my throat, but Ryan doesn’t miss a beat, scooping Oliver up and flying him in the air before settling him on his hip. They both look so happy, so in love with each other, I’m not sure how I can leave this every day.

I’m supposed to go inspect my apartment after this, but maybe when I get back home, I can gently suggest staying. I just ... I know it’s too soon, I know it’s reckless, but maybe we could live together permanently.

“Daddy, you’re late. Mommy and I got here foreber ago.” He lets out a very exasperated sigh like he was completely put out by the five minutes between our arrival and his.

Ryan laughs. “Forever, huh? I was spending time with your Mimi. She’s very excited to meet you.”

Oli’s eyes widen, and he squirms out of Ryan’s hold. “You didn’t tells me Mimi was here. We couldn’t meet her when we was sick.”

Mimi crouches on the ground, wincing a little on the waydown. “You must be Oliver. I love all the dinosaurs on your shirt.”

“Dinosaurs are my faborite.” He pulls out his shirt, showing off the dino pattern. “I picked it out myself. Do you like to play soccer? Do you like puzzles? Grandma keeps some for me. Do you want to help put one together?”

“I’d love to.”

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