Page 107 of In The Game

It’s quiet again, except for the sound of him sipping coffee.

“Holy shit.” He pauses. “You’re really gonna do it, aren’t you?”

Rubbing the back of my neck with my palm, I peer across the lake, squinting to see through the morning fog coming off the top of the glassy water. “I still gotta talk to Ral. This is a decision she should be included in. Afterward, I’ll reach out to my agent.”

“You better do it soon. But whatever you need, whatever you decide. I support you.”

I nod even though he can’t see me. “Do you think I’m crazy?”

He laughs. “Yes. ’Cause you’re in love.”

THIRTY-NINE

The day before we leave, I stop by to assist with making sure she has what she needs. The plan is for me to stay the night at Raleigh’s since she lives closer to the airport and then in the morning, we’ll get a rideshare to take us to our terminal. I’ve never wanted to get on a plane so fast.

I’m barely in the door when she rushes up to me. She gives me a chaste kiss. “Do you want to take him for a couple hours so I can finish getting us packed?” Raleigh asks, frantic. “It would be a huge help.” Her hair is falling out of a ponytail, she’s clearly been rushing around, trying to pack the last-minute items.

One-on-one time with my son? Fuck yeah, I do.I roll my suitcase into her house and push it to the corner. “I’d love to. Sure you don’t need any help here?”

“That is helping me here. He’sveryexcited for the plane ride.” She stares at me with a forced smile through clenched teeth.Message received.

Arthur darts through the room with a plane in his hand. “Barrett!”

“Hey, bud!” I kneel and he jumps on my back. “How about we get out of the house and pick up some lunch for your mom?”

Raleigh’s shoulders relax, then she adjusts her messy ponytail. “Let me grab my keys for you. The booster’s still in my car.”

“No need, I had one installed in the BMW.”

She freezes and looks back at me. “You did?”

Shit, maybe that went too far. I didn’t discuss it with her beforehand. I’m inserting myself into their lives with force, but I’m not willing to waste time or hold back. I want to make things easier on her for once. If her life is more convenient with me in it, she might see me as a benefit rather than an invasion.

Raleigh and I have a resilient connection, but having a connection with Arthur is as important. She needs to see I’m as good for him as I am for her. This time away will show us how well we work as a family unit. It should be startling how quickly I’ve come to care for them both, but it feels so natural.

“I thought it would be easier for this kind of stuff, save some time so we don’t have to switch yours around all the time. Are you okay with that? It’s a good one. I did my research and the woman at the store said it had the highest safety ratings. If you want to inspect my installation—”

The more I ramble on, the bigger she smiles.

“Thanks, Bear. I really appreciate you doing that.” She looks around and holds her palms up when she shrugs. “Okay, I guess that’s it, then.” Pointing a finger at Arthur still hoisted on my back, she tells him to behave.

She plucks his shoes off the floor, and he giggles while she shoves them on his dangling feet. His hands are clasped around my neck. Any tighter and he’d probably collapse my windpipe.

I lean down so he can reach out one of his arms to give Raleigh a hug and then we are on our way. She gives another thank you and squeezes my bicep.

Getting Arthur in the booster seat is a breeze. However, on the road, my fear kicks up a notch. I’m suddenly so much more aware of the people driving around me. I trust none of these assholes. I’ve got my kid in the back seat. I need to keep him safe.

“Your car smells different than Mom’s car,” Arthur comments, oblivious to my newfound parental anxiety.

“Good-different or bad-different?”

“Different-different.”

I smile. “That’s fair.”

“I’m hungry. It’s good we’re going to lunch or my tummy will explode.”

“Explode?”

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