Page 129 of The Way We Score

I look over at my fiancé shaking his sexy ass on the bar beside Craig, and a smile spreads across my face.

Mom puts her hand over mine, and leans closer. “I knew you’d learn to trust again.”

I glance at her frowning. “What do you mean?”

“After your father left, I was so worried about you. You cried for him every day, and I didn’t know how to explain to you it wasn’t your fault.”

My chin drops. “I used to think if I were only good enough at something, he’d love us again.” I study the diamond ring on my finger. “Now I’m afraid none of this would be happening if I weren’t pregnant.”

“I don’t know about what-ifs and hypotheticals,” she sighs. “But what if this baby is divine intervention, correcting a past mistake?”

Wrinkling my nose, I look up at her. “I’m afraid to reach for too much happiness. I should be thankful for having the baby I thought I never could.”

“Pfft!” Mom shakes her head. “When has my daughter ever let fear stop her?”

“Not often enough.”

“Well, don’t start now.” She wraps her arm around me. “I knew your father so much better than you did, Olivia. It’s how I can tell you with complete confidence, Garrett Bradford is nothing like your father. He will give you the love you deserve.”

My eyes go to him again, standing beside the bar with Craig and looking up at the television screen showing us hugging andkissing withShe said yes!in a banner across the top. His smile is filled with satisfaction and pride, not smug acquisition, and peace settles in my chest.

He’s my family. He always has been.

“I don’t know about push presents, but I gave Craig a stuffed chicken for our nesting phase,” Clint volunteers between bites of hot salsa. “I would’ve loved to give him a silkie, but we don’t have room for a real hen.”

“You’ll get there, just give it time.” Mom pats Craig’s boyfriend’s arm. “I wasn’t able to have chickens until Liv moved out for college.”

“That was hardly the reason,” I huff beside her. “The only thing you changed was the yard.”

“I was very focused on you,” Mom fusses. “I couldn’t have cared for my hens the way I do now with you at home.”

“How many hens did you start with?” Clint has Mom on her favorite topic, and I push out of the booth, needing to walk around.

“You okay, babe?” Allie scoots up beside me. “I know when I was pregnant with Austin, the third trimester was the worst.”

“I can’t get comfortable.” Holding the side of my stomach, I take her arm, and she walks with me to the screen door leading to the playground on the bay.

“I hated being pregnant,” Allie laughs, counting off on her fingers. “I got the rash, the hemorrhoids… you name it. It was like being handicapped for nine months, with a nightmare at the end.”

“How big was Austin when he was born?”

“Gosh, let me think.” Her chin drops, and her dark brown hair falls over her cheek. “He was around eight pounds?”

“Did you tear?” I’m still struggling with my old anxiety.

“I’m not sure. I wanted all the drugs,” she laughs. “Oh, wait—yes! I must’ve, because I remember the doc saying she gave me an extra stitch. She did it right there on the spot.”

“What does that mean?” My brow furrows.

“An extra stitch.” She elbows me, leaning closer and arching an eyebrow. “You know, to make it a little tighter.”

“Does that work?” A whole new possibility crosses my mind.

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, looking down. “Jessie was in jail before I even brought Austin home.”

“Oh.” Embarrassment heats my neck. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s okay. I was pretty dumb when I was younger. Throw a bad boy in my path, and I thought it wassoexciting.” She shakes her head. “I’ve come a long way, baby. Now I’m just trying to get Austin through school and into college. Jack has been really great with that.” She sighs, looking up to where Garrett’s oldest brother stands with Zane watching the boys playing pool. “He’s just been really… great.”

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