Page 92 of Mr. Charming

“What about Tweetie?” Mason is in first grade, so he’s too young to remember Tweetie and me as a couple, but it’s been talked about enough around him that he’s aware we had a relationship.

I lean against the wall and search out the man in question. He’s sprawled out on one of the seats with his friends, talking and laughing. As if he can feel my gaze on him, he looks up, and our gazes collide. A slow smile tips the corners of his mouth.

Damn, I’m in so much trouble.

I quickly turn my back to him. “Oh, Mason, they have to get to the arena, and then they take a nap and then they play again. I’m sorry.”

“After the game! Daddy said we’re going, and I can miss school tomorrow.”

I hate upsetting him. “They fly out right away. But you have me.”

“Oh.”

Toby laughs in the background. “Aunt Tedi is way more fun than Tweetie, trust me.”

I cringe. I haven’t brought my family up to speed on Tweetie, and they probably still hate him. Which would make it uncomfortable if I brought Tweetie to dinner tonight. I can just imagine my two brothers and dad with crossed arms, glaring all night.

“I told all my friends that I knew him and the other Falcons. Kyler said I was lying and said I was making up stories to be cool.”

I close my eyes, hating to hear my poor nephew upset. “What’s Kyler’s last name?” I ask, the protective aunt coming out.

“Tedi,” my brother sighs with a warning in his voice.

Whatever.

“Watson,” Mason answers like the good kid he is.

I rack my brain for how I can make this up to him. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll try to get some autographs, okay? And you can show those off.”

“Anyone can get autographs.”

“Hey, Mason, let’s thank Aunt Tedi. That’s a big ask. Now eat your breakfast.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Hey,” Toby gets on the phone. “Don’t worry about him. This Kyler is a real asshole. So are his parents.”

“I wish I could help, but I don’t think my bosses would appreciate me taking the team to a school instead of them resting before their game.”

“Don’t sweat it. You know he’ll be really excited to see you when you come. So…”

“Oh god, I don’t want to know.” I find a corner to tuck myself into, really hoping my brother isn’t about to give me bad news. There’s always that so and a long pause right before he tells me something bad.

“Do I have to remind you that you’re the older sister? You should be calling me with these things.”

“It’s not my fault someone messed with our birth order personalities.”

It’s a running joke that Toby is more like a firstborn and I’m more like the middle child. The only thing that worked out is that Theo is definitely the baby. If only by five minutes.

“Dad’s got a girlfriend.”

“Oh my god. You scared me. Good for him. What’s she like?”

I’ve wanted my dad to find someone and be happy for years, but he struggled after my mom left. Raised us and spent the rest of his time keeping his business afloat. By the time we were all out of the house, Toby had Mason and needed help with babysitting. Dad’s never taken any time for himself.

He blows out a breath. “She’s okay. A little overbearing, always trying to give me advice on Mason. Like because I’m a single dad, I don’t know what I’m doing. But she seems to make Dad happy. She’s an artist.”

“Sweet. Is she going to be at dinner?”

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