Page 137 of Third and Ten

“Is that what you want?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Ethan, don’t guilt yourself into making a choice between Ryan and us. While we’d miss seeing you every day, this is your decision to make, and I know I speak for Tenley when I say there won’t be any hard feelings if you’d like to get to know your father better.”

“I want to stay here with you guys,” he replies quickly, to my relief.

“I’m glad. Just be sure you aren’t saying that to make the rest of us happy.”

He huffs. “You know, that’s the funny thing. Ryan only tried to convince me that I’d be making a mistake if I came back here, because he can give me ‘so much more than Tenley ever could’.”

I clench my jaw, trying to keep my voice even. “He may be right. I don’t have a mini mansion. We can’t offer you a brand-new car, and we probably never would, on principle alone. We don’t have a trust fund set up for you, and you’re stuck in public school. Chances are you’ll be babysitting and helping us change diapers before long. And as long as you live here, you’ll have to pull your weight and respect our rules.”

“I think I’m more than okay with all of that, even diaper duty,” he says, smiling until he adds, “Although, Ryan’s confident he’s going to get custody.”

“Well, I heard Ryan crawfished when Blake called him out the other day,” I retort, and he grins even wider. “But we don’t want you worrying about any of that. Tenley, Blake, and I will handle Ryan.”

“Okay,” he exhales. “As long as this is what you really want, too.”

I smirk at him, warming myself up for another proclamation, though much more G-rated than the one I made for my brother. “It is. I love your Aunt Tenley, I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and I don’t see the point in waiting to make those vows when my feelings aren’t going to change.”

He looks relieved. “It’s too bad you’re not going to get to do one of those grand-gesture proposals, though. I was looking forward to seeing how badly you’d embarrass yourself.”

“I am a little disappointed, but we both know she’d hate that, anyway,” I say with a short laugh before my expression turns more serious again. “Thanks for being my wingman, Big E.”

“No worries, Coach.”

“I mean it, kid. I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me. And I promise I’ll make it up to you by trying my best to be a decent uncle.”

“Cool.” He nods, then he looks away and clears his throat.

Then the bell rings, a welcome interruption.

“How awkward is this going to be around school? Everyone’s going to have questions once you randomly start stunting a wedding ring.” He stands and throws his backpack over his shoulder.

“At least we don’t have football for a while. And I’m not your teacher anymore,” I point out, walking him to the door.

He rolls his eyes. “Just the assistant principal.”

“I can yell at you in front of everyone if it’ll make you feel better,” I offer.

He laughs. “Yeah, I guess I’ve got no chance of flying under the radar now that you can make all-calls. Who wants to be the principal’s kid, anyway?”

“Oh, I’m sure there’ll be some perks,” I return, trying not to let him see how happy he’s made me by referring to himself as my kid. “I very seriously doubt anyone will dare to TP our house next homecoming, for example.”

“Good point.”

“All right. Now get your scrawny behind to class, Robin. Don’t make me write you a tardy slip.”

“Right. Because then you’d have to sign both sides, for the administrator and for the parent,” he says mockingly before closing the door to my office behind him.

And I take a deep breath and blink away the moisture in my own eyes before stepping out into the hallway again.

CHAPTER 41

TENLEY

Once he’s officially on Christmas break, JD sets up a morning appointment with the priest, less than a week after our decision to move forward with a wedding. I have to admit, his impatience is endearing.

“Hi, Father. Thanks so much for letting us come in on short notice,” he begins.

“It’s no problem at all,” Father Conrad says, shaking each of our hands and gesturing for us to sit. “So, I understand congratulations are in order?”

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