Page 44 of Play For Me
“What’s that?”
“Don’t insert yourself into their lives if you have any doubt in your mind about wanting them for your future. It’s one thing to involve the heart of a woman, but that little girl out there,” she says, pointing to the window, “doesn’t need to get her heart involved just for you to decide it’s not what you want. They are a package deal, and if you’re not ready to step up and be a father, then you need to let them both go now before it goes any further.”
“I promise I won’t involve Bee’s heart until I know for sure.”
“Good.” She pats my legs and stands up. “I need to get back out there. Your sister has probably got poor Olivia agreeing to adopt a whole litter of kittens by now.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. She can be very persuasive when shewants to be,” I chuckle. “I should know. I have a one-eyed gremlin sleeping with me.”
“That’s because under all those tattoos and muscles is a guy with one of the biggest hearts I know.” She leans down and kisses my cheek before walking away.
Putting my hands on the back of my head, I lean forward with my elbows on my knees as my thoughts race about all that was said.
She has a daughter.
I knew she was hiding something from me, but never in a million years did I think I would run into Olivia at my brother’s house today. And Bee…God, she’s the most adorable little girl I’ve ever seen. Except for the dark hair, she looks just like Olivia with her light hazel eyes and dimples.
I always knew I wanted to be a dad one day. I love my nieces and nephews with all my heart. I just never pictured it happening so soon. It should scare me, but for some reason, it doesn’t. It feels like I’ve found two missing pieces of my life, and we fit perfectly together just as it was meant to be.
Lyla is right, though. This wouldn’t be just casual dating if a little girl’s heart gets involved. It makes more sense now why she’s been so guarded with me. We would have to keep our relationship separate until Olivia feels ready to let me into her daughter's life. For now, I’ll just be Charlie’s fun uncle.
Feeling better that I have a plan in place, I walk back out to the party, grabbing a beer from the cooler on the way. The kids are running around in the grass with the sprinkler as I head over to all the dads lined up watching them. I spot Ryder at the swing set pushing his youngest son, Levi, on the swings. He’s never going to believe the girl I have my eyes set on is a single mother. I still can’t believe it.
I glance over at Olivia, and she’s laughing at something Sophia said. I’m glad she’s getting to know them. I want her toknow that side of me and see how amazing my family and friends are.
“Where the hell have you been hiding?” Travis asks when he sees me walking up.
“Don’t ask,” I mutter, taking a sip of my beer. I watch my oldest nephew, Max, throw the football to his little cousin, Mason. I can tell he’s being gentle with the pass because of the eight-year age difference. Even though he’s only fourteen, he’s got an arm like nothing I’ve ever seen. Football is his life, and he’s damn good at it.
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with the beautiful single mom that just joined our group, would it? I saw you two talking and could feel the sexual tension from across the pool,” Jake laughs. “I thought you were hooked on the girl who friend-zoned you.”
“Turns out she’s also a mother.” I watch Bee jump over the spray of water that rotates her way. Her dimples flash as she laughs. A small smile plays on my lips as I watch her joy in that moment.
“Oh shit,” I hear Noah’s brother-in-law, Maverick say, his vivid green eyes go wide. “You slept with a single mom? That’s like rule number one of thingsnotto do when you want some company for the night.” He bends down and picks up his three-year-old son, Holden, who appears at his legs. His long blond curls frame his face as his bright blue eyes follow his older sister around the yard.
Even though he has his momma’s eyes, he looks just like Maverick and every bit of a surfer boy, just like his dad. He even acts like him. The kid is literally a fish in the water and already learning to surf at just three years old.
“Thanks for the rule book rundown,” I glare at him. “I obviously didn’t know it at the time.”
“Just be careful, brother. I was a single dad when I metSophia, and things get a lot more complicated when kids are involved,” Travis reminds me.
“I already got a lecture from Lyla. She cornered me in the bedroom and let me have it. I don’t need to hear it again from you guys. I’ll be careful.”
“That’s my wife,” Jake grins.
“I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it later. No one seems to be able to keep their mouth shut in this family.”
“It would appear that way,” Noah says. I follow his line of sight and see all the girls talking with their heads together. A couple of them glance my way and give me anif you hurt her, I will murder you in your sleeplook. “Good luck, Miles. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes if youfudgethis up,” he laughs, and the others join in.
Welcome to dadhood, where fuck becomes fudge. There always seems to be at least one kid in the mix, so we try our hardest not to corrupt them at a young age. The one time we did slip, Ryder’s youngest picked it up right away and was running around sayingshitfor two weeks straight. Eve about killed us.
“Who gave Savi wine? You know how she gets when she drinks. She can’t keep a secret to save her life when alcohol runs through her veins.” I can only imagine what she’s telling Olivia right now.
“Don’t look at me,” Jake laughs. “My wife isn’t drinking.”
“Uncle Miles! Come play with us!” I smile at Travis’s six-year-old daughter, Quinn, and Maverick’s daughter, Maven. The two are the same age and inseparable, just like their moms.
Sophia’s brother Maverick married her best friend, Bella. To make things even more interesting, Bella is Noah’s younger sister, and Maverick ishisbest friend. Somebody really needs to put this in a book because it sounds just like one of the romances Savi reads.
