Page 45 of Pucking Fate

“That’s what we do, right? Show a united front when it comes to our son?”

“Christian!” I hiss, turning around to make sure Finley had made it inside before he said that so loudly.

“Sorry. It slipped out. But god, I really do want to tell him soon.”

“I know you do, and we’re getting there,” I promise him. “We might get a little closer if you can do me a huge favor tonight…”

“Anything,” he says. “Whenever you or Finley need me, I’ll be happy to help if I’m here or in Greensboro. It’s not that far, but I wish I could be closer…”

Before we get into another argument about us moving, I tell him, “If that’s true, then how about you stay and babysit tonight.”

The hockey hotshot blinks at me with what looks like surprise on his face. “You mean, you want me to watch Finley, like all on my own?”

“Yes, Christian. All by yourself for a few hours. Do you think you’re ready for it?” I ask because despite his best intentions, the man still has no clue what it means to be a father. It’s not just hanging out and having fun every second of the day.

“Okay, well then, yeah. I can do that. Definitely.”

“Great. Thank you. You can stay this afternoon or go to your hotel and come back. I’ll need to leave here at around six-thirty at the latest.”

“I’ll stay, if that’s okay?” he says when he comes over and leans his forearms on the porch railing to look over it at me.

“Sure. And you’ll be responsible for dinner. Either making something or ordering in, but I hope you’ll stay here with Finley and not take him out anywhere.”

“We’ll stay inside the house if that will make you feel better,” he replies with a smirk.

“Great. Thank you. I know you two will be fine, but promise me that you’ll still call me if you need me?”

“I promise,” he agrees, then clears his throat. “And I should probably know where you’re going just in case I can’t get you on your phone or you don’t come home...”

Oh, the nosy bastard is so full of shit. But he’s not entirely wrong. “I have a date,” I tell him.

“Youwhat?”

“I’m going to dinner with Spencer.”

“Wow,” he mutters as he pushes away from the porch and starts to turn away.

“Does that change your mind about babysitting? If so, one of my neighbors is probably available.”

Turning back to me, his golden, unshaven jaw clenches as if he wants to refuse, but then he finally says, “No, I can handle it.”

“Great. Then, I better go start getting ready.”

I start back inside when Christian says, “It’s only four o’clock!”

“I want to look nice,” I tell him over my shoulder.

Despite trying to act confident about this date in front of Christian, my stomach is in knots as I shower, put on a little makeup, blowout my long black hair, and then try to decide what to wear. I finally pair a red floral dress that sits just above my knees with a pair of red strappy sandals. It’s an outfit that I hope says I wanted to look nice but doesn’t look like I’m trying too hard.

Christian and Finley are sitting at the dining table enjoying their hamburgers that Christian cooked himself out on the grill. The charbroiled scent smells delicious and reminds me of all the times Preston would cook out on the patio for us in the summer.

My stomach growls loud enough for them to hear and they turn towards me. The half-eaten burger in Christian’s hands falls with a thud to the plate as his jaw literally drops open.

“Do I look okay?”

“You look pretty, Mommy,” Finley says before he turns away to toss another potato chip into his mouth.

“Well?” I ask Christian.

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