Page 84 of The Way We Score

I sit back on my heels, watching as he bends down to hug my tiny mom. “One person down, ten more to go?”

Releasing her, he shakes his head. “Nobody knows I’m here. The only person I’ve told is Jack, and he’s sworn to secrecy.”

“Why is it a secret?” Mom’s tone is indignant. “Everyone knows the two of you belong together. It’s the happiest news you could give us that you’re back together and having a sweet little baby!”

“Mom, you’re not listening. We’re not back together.”

“Why not?” She seems genuinely confused, and I exhale heavily.

“We can’t get married just because we’re pregnant.”

“People do it all the time.”

“And they get divorced all the time. I’m not vying to be the next Kim Kardashian.”

“I don’t know what that means.” She shakes her head, closing her eyes. “When it’s right, it’s right. And this is right.”

I look helplessly up at Garrett, and he gives me a warm smile. He doesn’t say a word, and so much emotion is in his blue eyes. My chest squeezes, and I have to look away.

How can we know if it’s right so soon? I thought for four years Garrett was right. I spent my entire high school career thinking we’d never be apart. I even went to college thinking we could never be apart. I was wrong.

Mom reaches up to take his arm. “Garrett, are you staying for supper?”

“No, ma’am, I’m taking the next flight back to Manhattan. I can only miss so many practices before it starts to add up.”

“What does that mean? You have to pay to miss practice?”

He gives her a little wink. “They like to call it a fine, but it’s basically the same thing.”

“Garrett!” I push to my feet. “You should’ve told me. I didn’t even think about you getting fined. I’m sorry.”

“I told you no more apologizing. You needed me here, and I told you I’d be here when you needed me.”

Mom looks from him to me, and she steps back, picking up her oversized bag. “Well, I’d better get going. If I hurry, I might still make my DnD session.” Stepping forward once more, she hugs Garrett again. “It’s always good to see you, Garrett. Liv, I’ll be back later.”

She hurries out the door so fast, I almost call foul on her hip replacement ruse. Instead, I look up at Garret. “You can’t do this.”

The smile that lifts his cheeks almost does me in. “I can do whatever I want, Liv. I only have one chance at getting this right, and I’m not wasting any more time worrying about other people.”

“Still, you have to tell me when I’m causing you a problem. I’ll understand.”

Reaching down, he takes my hand in his. “I only have one problem, and it’s scheduling. Now what should we do for an hour that won’t get me busted?”

Scratching my forehead, I look up at him. “Want to see a hysterical chicken?”

That makes him chuckle, and the protective shield I’ve been clinging to so tightly starts to slip.

18

Garrett

My phone buzzes, and I do my best to lift it discreetly as I sit in the Pirates owner’s office.

Logan

WTF, man? You sneak into town without telling anybody?

My brow furrows, and I remember my visit. Liv and I were really careful. We had lunch at her mom’s, sitting across from each other at that little table in front of the bay windows looking out over the yard… down to thebay.

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