Page 30 of I Got You

A knock comes from the front door, and Teddy dashes from the kitchen. I have no doubt he’s been quietly planning. I smile, wondering how Shane will handle it.

Liv climbs down from the counter and runs to the door, swinging it open. “Shaney, you’re going to come live with us!” She grins up at him.

“That so.” Shane looks like Gulliver towering over her in shorts, a t-shirt, and a backward hat. He sets his brown-green eyes on me, and they dip to my stomach for a split second before popping back up.

I look down at my loose jeans and cropped t-shirt, expecting a smear of brownie, but…nothing. Huh. “Can you go tell Cole to start the grill?” I push Liv back toward the kitchen.

“Yep. Can you sit by me at lunch? Then I can show you all my princesses.” Liv skips off before Shane can answer.

I hold on to the door like a security blanket while my heart suddenly decides it’s time for a jog. This is all just so…weird.

I push my fingers into the loose hairs at the back of my neck. “Sorry, I should have talked to you before I said anything to the kids, but I have no idea what I’m doing. I told them you were coming over and might live with us.” I put my face in my hand. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“It’s fine. I told you I wasn’t going to change my mind. They might as well know.”

“I also talked to Cole, and he’s surprisingly ok with it.”

“Really?” He sounds doubtful.

“Come in. For some reason, this is more nerve-racking than it would’ve been introducing you to my dad.” Shane steps in, not looking the least bit on edge. “Seriously, you aren’t nervous?”

“How do you know I’m not nervous?” That stiff brow furrows under the clasp of his hat.

I wave my hand and close the door. I’m not telling him that before games, when the camera landed on his face, I could see he was already in play in his head. But also, like he might puke.

“Oh, wait.” I grab his arm but immediately release it. His skin is hot, and I can’t help but think of what it will be like sleeping next to him. My own personal furnace. I stop that train of thought right in its tracks. “Watch out for Teddy. He’s our little prankster, and I have no doubt he has you in his crosshairs.”

“Got it.”

Ok, then. I need a little of his confidence and certainty to wash over me.

I lead Shane from the entryway, past our family room, and into the kitchen. He sets his keys and phone on the counter, and the simple gesture makes my stomach clench. What will it be like to have him come home and put his keys and phone next to mine each day? Someone else here with me being a part of our everyday chaos.

Garrett is sitting at the island reading. I lean down and wrap my arms around his shoulders, comforting the both of us. “Garrett, this is Shane.” I know this kid has some anxiety rolling around inside him.

“Hi,” he says quietly.

“Hey.” Shane leans over, placing his forearms on the counter. “I heard your little brother’s probably got big plans for me. You want to find out what he’s up to, and we’ll join forces to reroute his plans?”

Garrett smiles. “Yeah. Give me a few minutes.” He takes off upstairs.

“He gets anxious with change, so thanks for distracting him.”

“I’m not being taken down by an eight-year-old,” Shane grumbles.

“We’ll see about that. Let’s go outside until the food is done.”

We step out on the patio that opens to our big yard, bordered by aspen and pine trees, where Cole is manning the grill while Hank shows Liv something on his phone.

“Hey, coach.” Cole and Shane do some hand-slapping thing.

“Let’s just go with Shane here.”

“Ok. I’ll try,” Cole responds. “I hope you like burgers.”

“Sounds good,” Shane says, taking in his surroundings.

I wonder what he’s thinking. This whole thing feels so awkward, and I have no idea how I’m supposed to act. It’s like I’ve suddenly become socially inept.

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