Page 110 of Second Chance for the Single Mom

“Yeah. We’re playing catch.” He threw the ball back to Jordan. “What’s a cutter?”

“It’s a cut fastball. Like a regular fastball, but it moves a little more. Like a sneak attack!”

I turned back to Shay. “I don’t understand what’s happening right now.”

The sound of a toy speaker filled the air, along with Lucas’s distorted voice. “We’re making another grand gesture to you.”

Lucas was above us, on the balcony that overlooked the backyard. He was holding Bran’s toy speaker in one hand, and the corded microphone to his mouth with the other.

“Oh my God,” I groaned.

“Hales.” Lucas’s voice drifted out of the toy speaker. “The three of us have been talking. And we want to move in with you.”

I closed my eyes and laughed. “Just because you did this once and it worked, doesn’t mean it’s going to work again.”

“It’s not going to work because of the toy,” Lucas replied. “It’s going to work because it’s something we all want. You can’t keep living in your sister’s apartment. You and Bran need more space.”

“Bran and I have plenty of space,” I called up to him. “It’s only crowded thanks toyouthree.”

“Exactly,” Shay said behind me. “We want a space forallof us.”

“This place issick,” Jordan said, tossing the ball to Bran. “Have youseenthe living room? And the kitchen?”

“I know it’s great!” I insisted. “I’m literally the real estate agent in charge of selling it!”

“Let’s buy it,” Lucas said. “All of us. Together.”

I stopped protesting and allowed myself to actually consider what they were suggesting. The four of us—five, including Bran—under one roof. We would each have our own space, rather than constantly arguing over who got to sleep in my bed and who had to crash on the couch. Not to mention the yard, and how close it was to the neighborhood parks…

“You already did a good job selling me on the house,” Shay pointed out. “All the reasons it’s perfect.”

“Except for the school district,” I said.

“Which doesn’t matter since Bran goes to Worthington.”

“What about any future children?” I found myself asking. “Will they all go to Worthington? What if they don’t get accepted? I don’t want to get stuck in a bad situation regarding their education.”

Shay’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Future children?”

I threaded my fingers into his. “We haven’t talked about it. But I think I might want more. At some point. And I think you do, too.”

Shay stared deep into my eyes for a long moment before nodding. “The thought has crossed my mind.”

“Same!” Jordan shouted while continuing to play catch with Bran.

“We can cross that bridge when we come to it,” Shay insisted. “For now, this is the perfect move for all of us. A chance for us to become one family. If that’s whatyouwant.”

I didn’t need to think before answering. “I want that very much.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Lucas demanded. “I can’t hear you from up here.”

“You sound ridiculous talking through that toy,” Jordan shouted. “That’s what we’re discussing.”

“You’re lucky Bran is around, or you’d be hearing a variety of curse words through this ridiculous toy,” Lucas replied.

I cupped my hands over my mouth and shouted, “I’m in! Let’s do it!”

“YEAH!” In a burst of energy, Lucas tossed the toy out to the side. It hung in the air for a frozen moment in time, then plummeted, smashing on the back deck below.

---