Page 111 of Mr. Broody

“I’m not sure, but Mack was a good distraction when he brought over this whole tent and fort contraption he said they could build in the family room.” I lift my phone and press Mack’s number.

It rings three times, and I worry they’re out at Starbucks or somewhere getting a late-night snack since Mack is famous for that when he watches him on the weekend.

“Daddy!” Bodhi exclaims, and Jade smiles at me. “You won!”

“Yeah, bud, pretty great, right? How are you?”

“Good. Mack made a sundae bar.” I hear a spoon hitting a bowl.

“What toppings did you put on?” Jade leans over and says into the phone.

“Jade?” Bodhi asks. I can hear the excitement in his voice.

“Yep. Tell me Mack has sprinkles.”

I hold the phone out toward her.

“Yeah, colored ones.”

“The best.” She cuts another piece of steak and forks some asparagus before putting it in front of my mouth. I’m liking this whole her feeding me thing way more than I should.

“And caramel sauce. That’s my favorite.”

“Mine too,” Jade says. “Whipped cream or no whipped cream?”

“Whipped cream. A lot of whipped cream.”

She eyes me. “I like whipped cream too. A lot.” Her tongue slides across her bottom lip. Hint taken.

“I miss you guys,” Bodhi says.

“Hey, we’re having fun,” Mack says in the background. “Stop spoiling our fun.”

“I’ll be home tomorrow,” I say.

“And Jade?” Bodhi’s voice sounds so hopeful.

She giggles. “I’m coming back to Chicago too.”

“But are you coming here?”

I have a home game Sunday, then I’m off to Toronto on Monday. We’re running into the grueling part of the season, and I worry that none of us are going to have the time we need to be together to really solidify this thing.

I ask her with my eyes if she wants to come over, and she nods.

“Yeah, Jade will come over, and we can go get dinner somewhere together.”

“Yay!” he shouts. “Mack, I need more sprinkles,” he whispers as if I can’t hear him.

Jade laughs and shakes her head.

“Tell Daddy and Jade bye, they’re ruining our fun,” Mack says.

“Bye, Daddy. Bye, Jade. See you tomorrow. Love you.” He hangs up before we can say goodbye too, so I figure I’ll send Mack a message to give him before he goes to bed.

“Anyone tell you that you have one pretty awesome kid?” She feeds me another piece of steak, and I slide back against the headboard, continuing to watch her.

“Yeah, but your opinion matters most.” I won’t mention that I hope that one day he’ll be her kid too.

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