Page 67 of Hard To Leave

Her eyes softened as she leaned across the table and covered my hand with hers. “Chloe, I wouldn’t push this if I didn’t think it was the right thing to do. Brogan still cares about you, and I know that you still care about him.” She sounded so sure of her words, but they did nothing to calm my nerves. “He’s not going to take Tanner away from you. He would never do that. Just be honest with him.” She gripped my fingers tightly. She seemed so strong and so put together when I was the one falling apart. “It’s going to be tough, but you’ve got this. You’re a good mother and a great person. You have always put Tanner’s needs before your own. This is no different.” Her words gave me comfort and tore me apart at the same time.

I knew the reasons I used in the beginning were no longer good enough. As much as I tried to convince myself that I was only doing what was best for Tanner, subconsciously, that decision was made out of fear. Brogan wasn’t ready to be a father at the time. He wasn’t a bad person; he just wasn’t ready for that type of responsibility.

The sound of the back gate swinging open got my attention. I could see Jack and Tanner’s smiling faces all the way across the yard. I quickly turned my head and wiped my eyes. The last thing I needed was for them to see me so upset.

I plastered on a fake smile as they got closer. I didn’t want to think about the changes I would be bringing into our lives. “Hey, you two. How did it go today?”

Jack placed his arm around Tanner’s shoulders. “You’re looking at the new starting pitcher for the Wildcats baseball team.”

“Oh, my God! You did it!” I screamed, lunging toward him. I lifted him up and covered his face in kisses. I loved this kid more than anything. I was so super proud of him. He worked his butt off and never gave up. He earned this one.

“What about me? Do I get my face covered in kisses too?” Jack asked with a lopsided smirk.

We both laughed, and just like that, my gloomy mood was gone. “I think I could spare you a few.” I strolled over as he tipped his baseball hat to the side. I grabbed onto his biceps and the next thing I knew, his arms were around me, and his mouth was on mine. The kiss was soft and sweet, not much more to it than that, but I still felt everything.

“Gross,” Tanner grumbled, squinting his eyes through the glare of the sun. “They’re always kissing,” he informed Carly as she spared a laugh at our expense.

Our kiss ended, and Jack’s forehead rested against mine. He brushed his thumb along my jaw and gave me one last peck before pulling away and throwing his arm along my shoulders. “I say this causes for a celebration.”

“What kind of celebration?” Tanner asked, adjusting the bill of his baseball cap.

Jack scratched his chin as if he were thinking it over. “I’m thinking the good stuff, like pizza, soda, and ice-cream for lunch.”

I groaned while Tanner gave Jack a high five.

Carly crossed her arms over her chest and gave me a once-over. “You might want to give your mom a few minutes to clean up and get dressed first.”

Tanner took off, running toward the house. “I’m going to call Tyler and tell him the news.”

Jack ran his nose along my face. “I think you look beautiful.”

I laughed. “You just want to get laid tonight.”

He brought his lips to my ear. “Maybe, or maybe I just like the fact that you’re hot, sweaty, and a little dirty.”

Carly busted out laughing, “I heard that, you dirty dog.”

Jack’s laughter was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. He pulled his iPhone out of his pocket, looked at the screen and groaned.

“Everything okay?”

He silenced the call and then placed it back in the side pocket of his cargo shorts. “It’s my mom.”

He had breakfast with her this morning after Chase and Emily left, but I haven’t had a chance to ask him how it went.

“You can answer it. I have to go clean up anyway.”

He looked like he didn’t like my suggestion. It was obvious that things between them were still tense. “I’ll go take the dog for a quick walk and call her back.” He leaned in for a quick kiss. “I won’t be long.”

“Take your time.”

Carly cleared her throat as Jack grabbed the leash off the railing and walked through the gate.

“It looks like things are getting pretty serious between you two.”

“They are.”

“He’s really good with Tanner, too.”

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