Page 6 of Stone's Promise

I had two choices: freak out or go with it.

I smiled, tilting my head just enough to play along. "Looks like you did."

"We still need to talk about Oliver.” My ex’s voice sliced through the air. "It's time I took a larger role in his life."

Surprise caught in my throat, sharp as a shard of glass. I steadied my voice, the practiced calmness not quite reaching my rapidly pulsating heart. "This is unexpected."

"I’m his father. He needs more than what you're providing."

I bristled but kept my response level. The last thing I wanted was for the whole gym to hear our business. "Oliver's happy and thriving. But if there’s something specific you’re proposing, I’m listening."

"We'll discuss it over dinner tonight." It was a command cloaked as an invitation.

“Tonight’s an open mic fundraiser.” I leaned into Cody, feeling his body heat light up one side of my body. “We have to be there so I can’t do it.”

“Tomorrow night, then.” Trey spared a disdainful look at Cody. “Just the two of us to talk aboutourson.”

"Fine," I replied, though nothing about this felt fine at all. I would show Trey the stable, caring environment I had built forour son, without his help, no matter the turmoil churning inside me.

Trey made a show of staring at his smartwatch. “If we’re done, I’m late for my training session.”

I slipped past him without a second glance. Once I got outside, I realized I had been holding my breath. I exhaled as I reached my car, my hands gripping my purse strap. I needed a second to breathe, to process, but before I could, the sound of footsteps followed me. I turned to see Cody approaching, Max right beside him.

"What just happened?" I asked, still caught off guard by his sudden act of playing the protective boyfriend.

Cody hesitated, rubbing his earlobe. "I just wanted to shut him up. He’s annoying. No offense."

"None taken," I admitted. "I would like that, too, though I have to deal with him now that he finally wants to see his son." I shook my head, more frustrated than anything. "Sorry. I'm not trying to dump all this drama onto you. I really only wanted to come here and give you the stuff for Family Day."

"You're good," Cody said, his voice even.

I appreciated that. No prying, no unnecessary comments. Just a simple reassurance.

I exhaled, shifting gears. "So what are you wearing to open mic tonight?"

Cody’s eyes widened. "You want me to go? I thought you just said that to Trey."

"I did, but you don’t have to be there," I admitted.

He crossed his arms, the movement making his biceps flex just enough to distract me. "I stepped in to make him think we’re together. We’re going to have to go with it."

I bit my lip. He was right. If Trey thought I was seeing someone, it might get him off my back long enough for me tofocus on Family Day. And if word got out, well, I knew how to handle press. A little extra attention wouldn’t hurt the event.

"You're right," I agreed. “This might result in a little sports gossip. Just warning you, in case a cool MMA fighter such as yourself doesn’t want to be seen in photos with a basic city employee.”

“You’re not basic. And trust me. You’d be doing me a favor if someone gets a picture of us.”

“That’s sweet of you.” How was this man making my skin tingle and the back of my head feel warm without touching me?

“Your smile is big enough for the both of us.”

I wasn’t quite sure if I should take that as a compliment, but the playful glint in Cody’s eyes made me want to grin. Like an idiot. “That’s nice to hear. Thank you.”

He glanced down at his sweaty t-shirt and joggers. "So, what am I supposed to wear on our date?”

The fact he said date made me feel oddly excited on the inside. "It's casual. You can wear jeans and a nice shirt. Showing your biceps won’t hurt."

The left side of Cody’s mouth curved. "Is that for you or the people we’re trying to convince we’re dating?"

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