Page 64 of Love is a Game

Pen finally appears, sexy as hell in blue jeans and a bright yellow asymmetrical top that makes her eyes glow gold.

We load into the car, though I catch the brief hesitation before Pen gets in the back. But Mom’s a solid driver, and soon, she seems to settle.

Then Dad raises the ladder incident from last night, which somehow spirals into me getting roped into clearing the gutters on both houses. So much for good deeds being rewarded.

We arrive at Brady’s parents’ farm to the kind of warm greeting that makes it impossible to feel like a guest. Nora and Harvey are the best—genuine, welcoming, the type of people who pull you into hugs and make sure your plate is always full. They smother Pen in extra affection, offering condolences and support.

Meanwhile, I spot my chance to talk to Brady, who’s busy manning the grill.

Halfway into my beer, I drop Pen’s baby bombshell.

“What?” He jolts. “That’s fantastic!”

“No—it’s not fucking fantastic!” I hiss. “She hasn’t thought this through at all.”

Brady frowns as he monitors the sizzling steaks. “What’s there to think about? Having a kid is awesome.”

I follow his gaze to Finn, who is completely wrapped up in conversation with a dark-haired girl.

“Looks like he’s solved his girlfriend issues?” I observe.

“Yeah.” Brady grins. “He and Molly spend a lot of time out here with Mom and Dad—riding, helping with all the rescue animals.” He pauses, tongs midair. “You know Violet, the event manager out at Monarch Mansion?”

“She’s overseeing Mia and Mason’s wedding, right?” I nod.

“Yeah, she’s Molly’s mom. Hopefully she’ll get away from work to join us for lunch.”

“Great.” I take another mouthful of beer. “So…back to the whole father thing. I mean, it was a shock for you, right? The secret baby you never knew about until—what’s Finn, now? Fifteen?”

Brady nods. “Yeah. And honestly? It’s going amazing. Only one regret.”

“Oh, yeah?” I push. “What’s that?”

“That I wasn’t there at the beginning. I missed so much. But then again, I probably wasn’t in a good place back then.” He grimaces. “You know what I was like…I would’ve messed everything up.”

I sure do. When Brady hit the big time as a celebrity chef, he had a knack for making headlines, for all the wrong reasons. But no need to dig into that history now. He’s settled into a whole new lifestyle.

“I’ve actually never seen you so relaxed and…” I pause, taking in his wide grin. “Content.”

“I’m super-fucking-content, Tuck!” He spreads his arms, tongs in one hand, beer in the other. “The business is going great guns. Viv and I even made a ten-year plan. I’ve never been so focused.”

He turns back to flip the steaks. “I wake up feeling so fucking grateful that I got a second chance with Viv, with Finn. It changes you, you know?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s like your heart cracks open, makes space for all this love you didn’t know you were capable of. But it’s terrifying too.” He shakes his head. “Like you want to protect them so much it hurts. Everything else just…shrinks in importance.”

I mull that over as Brady calls out for Finn, who reluctantly extracts himself from his girlfriend.

“So, seriously, Tuck, I don’t get why you’re not down with Pen wanting a baby,” Brady ponders.

“I’m notnotdown for it—” I try to explain, watching Finn amble over, looking so much like his dad it’s hard to fathom. “I’m just not down with her doing it alone. How do I convince her to let someone step in and help?”

Brady pauses, tongs hovering midair, his bright blue eyes scanning my face more intensely than an MRI. Then, his expression shifts.

“Wait a minute.” He waves the tongs in a slow, accusatory circle around my face. “You want in—don’t you?Shit.Are you for real? You want to do it together?”

“Fuck, Brady, can younotbroadcast this?” I hurriedly wave him down. “It’s all low-key, alright? I’m just trying to get her to consider it.”

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