Page 99 of The Obvious Check

“Yeah. I want to do that for you, and she needs to be comfortable with me too.” My voice is steady, but my chest feels tight with the weight of what I'm promising. “Plus, I have zero doubt the adoption agency is going to grill her about me. About us. She needs to know who I am, really know me, not just the guy who's suddenly in her big sister's life.”

I watch Savannah through the screen, the way her shoulders seem to relax just a fraction at my words.

“I'm not just marrying you, Sav. I'm choosing your family, your life, all the beautiful chaos that comes with loving you.” I lean back against the hotel headboard, my voice dropping lower. “Adley deserves to feel safe with me. To trust me. And that's not something that happens overnight.”

The truth of it settles in my bones because this isn't just about convincing some faceless agency that I'm good enough. It's about earning the trust of a teenager who's probably been let down by too many adults already.

“We'll figure it out together, Pretty Girl. All three of us.”

“You’re right.” She nods, and I can tell she’s not completely sold yet, but we’ll get there. We have time. “Thank you.”

“You’re always welcome.”

She sniffles softly as she continues stroking Stanley, and the sound makes my chest ache. I need to pull her out of this spiral before it drags her under completely.

“We destroyed them tonight.”

“I know.”

That catches me off guard. “You do? Well, look who's talking about stalking. Seems like you were doing a little reconnaissance of your own, Pretty Girl.”

“I wasn't stalking.” There's the faintest hint of a smile in her voice, and I feel like I've won the fucking lottery. “I just checked the score. It's not like I can actually watch you play.”

“Yet,” I correct, already planning how to fix that particular problem. “Soon you'll be at every home game, wearing my jersey and cheering loud enough to distract the other team.”

“Is that so?”

“Damn right it is. You're going to be my good luck charm, Sav. My personal cheerleader.” I grin at the phone even though she can't see it. “You free tomorrow?” I have a few things planned, but the less she knows about it, the better. “You’re not working, are you?” I try to make it sound nonchalant, that I’m not chewing myself up just thinking about how to get her out of there.

She shakes her head. “No.”

The relief I feel from that one word is pathetic.

“I told Luke I’m still recovering from your visit.”

I smirk. My visit. The one where she came on my fucking lap and thanked me for it later in the shower. “Glad I’m not the only one recovering,” I say, blowing out a breath. “Doubt I ever will.”

She rolls her eyes at that.

“But just so we’re clear, the next time you go there, it’s going to be handing in your notice and never returning.”

“I like your optimism.”

“It’s not optimistic. It’s a fact. You’re getting out of there, Savannah. We’ll torch the place down if you want.”

“I wish.” She lets out a big yawn, stretching. “You should get some sleep. You’re probably exhausted after your game.”

I arch a brow. “Are you kicking me off my own dog cam?”

“Well, if you called my phone like a normal person, maybe I wouldn't be able to do that.”

“I tried calling your ancient piece of technology. Twice. It went straight to voicemail, and even if it had worked, I wouldn't be able to see your beautiful face.” I shift against the headboard, already missing her. “So do me a favor and charge my iPad so I can actually talk to you properly next time.”

“There's no getting rid of you, is there?” she teases, and the sound of her laugh is better than any victory celebration.

“Not a chance in hell. I'm like a parasite. Once I'm attached, I'm yours for life.” I glance at the time, knowing she needs sleep even though every selfish part of me wants to keep her talking until sunrise. “Now get some rest, Pretty Girl. I'll be home tomorrow afternoon, and I'm already counting down the hours.”

“Me too,” she says, that soft smile evident in her voice. “Good night, Cade.”

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