Page 26 of Personal Foul

“Digging your own grave, might as well jump in and start burying yourself alive.” Nick chuckles. Reagan shoots him a dirty look, stopping him. “Sorry, Ma.”

“What am I going to do with you two?” A tear leaks out of her eye.

“Aw,mi reina, don’t cry.” I stand up and go to her, pulling her into me.

“Come on, Ma, you know tears are my weakness,” Nick whines.

Before she can say anything the door swings open and an older gentleman walks in. “She throw anything yet?” he jokes.

Nick cringes. “Worse, tears.”

The old man hisses, “Shit. We better stop for some expensive whiskey on our way home.”

“Pops,” Reagan scolds.

“Don’t youPopsme, little girl.” He shakes a finger at her. He looks at me, brows raising. “Garrett Stone.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

“I would shake your hand, but it looks like your hands are a little full,” he teases.

“Just go, Pops, take them with you,” Reagan begs.

“Come on, kid.” Nick walks towards Pops who’s holding his hand up for a high five. “Good job protecting that girl.”

“Thanks Pops.” Nick beams.

“See you at home, Ma.”

“Bye baby. Later, Pops.”

Pops waves over his shoulder.

I let go of Reagan and walk to the door. I flip the lock and shut the blinds. I walk back to Reagan and pull her up from her chair. I sit down and pull her into my lap. I don’t ask questions, just offer her my silent comfort.

“I wasn’t trying to keep him a secret,” she says softly.

“I didn’t think you were.”

“His mom and my mom were sisters. There was a big age gap between the two,” she sighs. “When he was three, his parents were killed in an accident. I didn’t even think about it, I took him. I spent a lot of time with Aunt Ashley growing up. She was the one who taught me everything I needed to know about being a girl, if you catch my drift. Taking Nick in was the least I could do.”

“You love him.”

“I do,” she whispers.

I sigh. “Well fuck me, Reagan. I already knew you were an amazing woman, but now…” I trail off. “You are in a league of your own.” I kiss her temple.

“Now you know why family time is so important to me and why I don’t have a lot of time for relationships.” She nuzzles my neck. “I’ll understand if you want to end things here. You didn’t sign up to be an insta-dad.”

“Trust me,mi reina, if anything, this just gained you an easy hundred points.”

She laughs softly. “What time is it?”

I look at the clock on the wall. “It’s two.”

She sits up. “I have some more work to do.” She stands. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I tilt her chin up, making her look at me. “We’ll figure it out.” I kiss her softly.

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