Page 45 of Wicked Love

And it is. Even on our hardest days, when she’s struggling with her temper and having a meltdown, I have always loved being with her most. It doesn’t mean life is easy. Some of her health struggles have nearly taken me out, and I hate to see her going through any kind of hardship more than anything…but the heavy responsibility I carried was as a child. As a man, I’ve earned my stripes.

And doing it alone suits me fine. I have help when I need it.

She smiles. “And you love her so well,” she says. “That little girl worships the ground you walk on.”

“Seems like she worships the ground you walk on right about now,” I say, my lips lifting.

Her laugh bounces around my house and injects it with warmth. “I’m just the new, shiny thing.” She waves me off. “It’ll pass.”

I tilt my head, narrowing my eyes. “Becca doesn’t really work that way. Once she’s in, she’s all in.”

She laughs. “I love that about her.” She frowns suddenly and points at me. “Hey, wait a minute. Is that…are you smiling?”

“Shut up,” I mutter, grinning down at the floor.

I hear a gasp and groan.

“Dad! Say sorry,” Becca says, coming up behind me with Martha.

“Sorry I said shut up,” I tell Poppy. I let out a long-suffering sigh and it just makes Poppy laugh.

“The games will begin at ten in the morning.”

“We’ll be there.”

She nods. “Excellent. See you then.”

“Excellent.” Becca nods just like Poppy and my face actually feels weird from smiling as much as I have.

She leaves and I loathe admitting it, but…I kind of miss having her here.

I pick up my phone and text the guys.

I’m taking Becca to Briar Hill tomorrow at ten and agreed to play flag football with them. Anyone else in?

Henley

I’ll be there in spirit. My leg’s not up for it and we’re taking the girls to Boulder this weekend. Wait a second. Isn’t this where Poppy works???

Weston

Dang. I’d love to get in on the next one. We have plans with Sadie’s family.

Rhodes

Let me see if I can pull it off. I think maybe I can.

Penn

Hell to the yeah. Is it okay if I bring Sam?

Absolutely. Just give him a heads-up first about Briar Hill in case he doesn’t know already. It won’t be the fast-moving pace he might be used to keeping with flag football.

I don’t have any concerns about Sam at Briar Hill. He’s fantastic with Becca, as evidenced by the massive crush she has on him. But it’s helpful to be prepared before being around kids with a large range of different disabilities.

Penn

Will do. But have you seen the kid lately? He’ll be eleven before too long, so maybe it’s puberty? I don’t remember being so slow at his age. I’m not sure he’s capable of hurrying to do anything.

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