Page 94 of In The Game

“I think it would be good to take a little trip together.”Like a family.“Have some time to get a feel for everything without life getting in the way. No work, no schedules, no fans interrupting and asking for selfies, no practices, or obligations.”

“Barrett—”

“When was the last time you and Arthur went anywhere?”

She picks at a loose thread on the robe. “We went camping last fall.”

“Come on, baby. You deserve a holiday. Arthur would love it.”

She laughs. “I’m going to tell you a secret, what a four-year-old likes and dislikes changes hour to hour.” She pauses, giving it real consideration. “I mean, how long would you even want to go? I have work and there’s daycare...”

“Four weeks.”

Her eyes practically bulge. “What?! That’s not alittle trip. That’s amonth, Barrett. I can’t take a month off work! I’ll lose my job. Even if I didn’t, I can’t afford a four-week vacation.” She laughs, almost hysterically.

“I’ll take care of everything.”

“It’s not just that, I can’t afford to not be paid for four weeks. I have a mortgage, utility bills…” She waves her hand around and looks at me with raised eyebrows, like I’m an idiot who wouldn’t understand the day-to-day responsibilities of life.

I know she won’t give me four weeks, but now we have a jumping off point to start negotiations.I’m guessing she still hasn’t taken that trip.

I pull her back against me. “You always wanted to go to Hawaii, right? Did you?”

She angles her head toward me inquisitively. “No.”

Oh, she’s fucking mine now. I’ve got her.

“Then let’s do it.”

“I can’t take off four weeks, that’s ridiculous. I mean, at most I could maybe do two.” I’m sure if she batted her eyes at her boss, he’d do whatever she wanted. But in the unlikely chance I’m mistaken, I’m sure if I tell Rob that our ad deal for Camp Conway relies on her vacation time, it won’t be an issue. She rests her head against my shoulder.

My smile can’t be contained, but I don’t let her see it.

“Two and a half,” she says with finality.

I tuck her blonde hair behind her ear. “Three and a half.”

“Three.”

I’ll be the one handling any negotiations in our future.

She shakes her head and tucks her tongue in her cheek.Try and hide that smile all you want, love. I can see your excitement.I squeeze her, knowing she wants to go. “Arthur could see the ocean… you could relax on the beach while he and I build sandcastles. We could eat fresh pineapple. You deserve this.”

“I’d have to get approval from my boss and HR.”

She’ll get it.

“Are you sure you want to do this? Arthur sometimes struggles with change. He’ll probably take a few days to get used to the transition.”

“Maybe we should do four weeks, then, give him enough time to adjust.”

She sits up and pushes my shoulder. “I’m serious.”

“Me too! I’m new to this, but I want a chance to see how it works with the three of us together. This isn’t meant as a threat at all, and I don’t want to scare you, but I’d like to have a little practice with co-parenting. I have a lot to learn.”

Her searing gaze meets mine.

“It’ll be okay,” I say, reassuring her and pulling some of her tresses out from the collar of the robe.

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