Page 43 of The Game Changer

“Ready to drop Mom off and then have a boy’s afternoon?” I ask him before shutting the back door.

“Yep!” he exclaims.

“What are your plans for the two of you while I’m wherever it is that you’re dropping me off at?”

“Not sure yet. Think he’d like an indoor trampoline place?” I ask.

“Is the sky blue?” she deadpans.

“Okay, stupid question,” I say, laughing. “I guess we’ll head over and jump and play for an hour or until he’s wiped out. Then I’ll take him back home and see if I can convince him to n-a-p for a little bit before it is time to pick you back up.”

“Just how long are you dropping me off for?” she asks, and I can tell her mind is racking with what I’ve schemed up for her this afternoon.

“Your appointment is four hours long,” I tell her, giving her that one little piece of information.

“Four hours?” she questions. “Hmm… what could take four hours?”

I drive across town and pull into the large spa’s parking lot. I look over, catching a glimpse of her face as she realizes where we are at. “You didn’t!” she practically squeals.

“I did. You’ve got a four-service package. I figured you could use a maternity massage with how bad your back has been bothering you since you’ve been here. They asked if you wanted any other services, so I splurged and got the four-service option, or you can do a double massage and two others, your choice.”

“You are seriously the best brother ever! Thank you!” she says, attempting to lean over the center console to give me a hug.

“It’s the least I could do,” I tell her. “Let’s get you inside and checked in. I still need to give them my credit card.”

I help Mason out of the truck, and we follow Cindi inside. I pay for her package, making sure to add a hefty tip and leave instructions that she’s to add anything she wants or needs to the tab and they have my permission to charge my card for it. She doesn’t let me help out as much as I’d like, so doing special things like this is my way of getting away with it.

“Thank you, seriously, thank you for all of this,” Cindi tells me, wrapping me into a hug. “You be good for Uncle John,” she says to Mason, crouching down to his level and giving him a hug before they take her back.

“It’s you and me now, kid,” I tell Mason, holding out my fist for him to hit his knuckles against. “Let’s go have some fun!” I tell him as I help him up into his seat again.

“Yes!” he cheers. “What’s we going to do for fun?” he asks.

“How about we go to this really cool place. They have trampolines and bouncy things inside. I think that it’s a pretty neat place. Think we can check it out?”

“Yes!” he cheers once again.

“All right, let’s go,” I tell him.

* * *

“Hey, babe,” I greet Jill with a kiss at the door. “How was your day?”

“Good, and yours?”

“It was good, the zoo was fun, followed by lunch. Then while Cindi was at the spa, Mason and I went to that indoor trampoline park. We had a blast there for an hour or so, and then we’ve just been hanging out here. He napped for about an hour after we got back.”

“Sounds like a fun day.”

“It was. Cindi just texted me saying that she was finishing up with her pedicure, so I need to head out and pick her up. Can I leave Mason here with you?” I ask as I tuck a chunk of hair behind her ear.

“Of course. Do I need to do anything to get dinner going?” she asks.

“Steaks are already seasoned and ready to go. I’ve got a pasta salad already prepped and chilling in the fridge. I think we should be good. Once I’m back, I’ll get the grill fired up and start cooking.”

“Sounds great. I’ll see you when you get back,” she says, pushing up on her toes to give me another kiss. I pull her tight against my body, loving the feel of her curves in my hands.

I bury my face in her neck for a second, just breathing her in. “I’ve missed you today,” I tell her honestly. “And I need to be inside you tonight.”

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