Page 119 of Waiting for Redemption

“Does that mean we can’t finish soccer practice?”

Oh, my sweet committed child.

“No, I mean we still have a month until Christmas. We can finish soccer practice.” Tank assures him, making Hendrix’s face light up a little more now.

“Oh, yeah! Will Santa still be able to find us? What about Christmas at Uncle Max’s house? We always go to Uncle Max’s for Christmas,” he asks as we all walk over to the soccer ball together.

“That’s true. You guys kind of have a tradition already. We don’t have to go if you want to stay to have Christmas with our friends.” Tank stops to look down at me.

“I think we can spend one Christmas away. Maybe we can celebrate with them early or something.” He narrows his gaze, wrapping his hands around my waist to pull me into him.

“Okay. Counteroffer. What if we stay here for Christmas, and spend New Years at the beach instead?”

“I think that sounds like a great plan.” I reach up on my tiptoes to kiss Tank just as Hendrix starts groaning again.

“Okay, okay, we’re ready,” I say, pushing away as Tank’s hands linger on me for as long as possible.

“Change of plans, we stay here so Santa can find us, then we go on vacation after,” Tank informs him as Hendrix kicks the soccer ball at me.

“Sweet!I’ve never been on vacation before.” I see the realization hit Tank and the sadness on his face is almost instant. He glances over at me and I muster up a shrug and a half smile to try and play it off.

I hate that I haven’t taken Hendrix anywhere cool for vacation before now, but with the fear of somehow crossing paths with Mark living in the back of my mind, I didn’t want to leave the comfort of Nashville. Where I knew Max was always a phone call away if I needed him, and there were people here to protect us.

Hendrix is just now at an age where he’ll actually be able to remember and enjoy a vacation though, and I can’t think of a more perfect way to experience it than as a family of three. Well, four if you include Mav—and how could we not?

“Me either, but you know what? I think this is going to be the best first vacationever.” I give him a wink, making him smile.

DING

Leah

Am I being a little clingy or does it feel like we haven’t had girls night in a year?

Lauren

Probably a little bit of both.

Leah

Taylor

Well, there’s been like, a shit ton of stuff happening the last couple of months.

Taylor

Cece’s teething and been attached to Shane’s tit. Rubes got MARRIED, fell in love with her husband, and is dealing with a shit bag ex that should go fall in a hole somewhere. Lauren is selling every house that’s available in Nashville. And I’m still trying to figure out what color I want to paint our bedroom.

Me

When the hell did you become the stenographer of the group?

Taylor

God, I need a martini.

Shane

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