Page 103 of A Game Plan for Love

She’s as equally nervous as Addie, and it calms a bit of the worry in my chest. Her eyes flicker between us, searching for how I fit.

“Declan, this is my mom, Cora, and my dad, John.”

I smile, though it doesn’t reach my eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

An uneasy silence falls around the table, and Addie’s eyes flicker around in panic. Cora continues to stare at Addie intently, like if she blinked, Addie would disappear.

John is the first to break the silence. “I’m sorry,” his eyes flicker to me, “but we were hoping to speak to Addie alone.”

Addie’s grip tightens, and I squeeze before leaning back in my seat. “That’s not going to happen,” I say casually. The vein in his neck pulses, but to his credit, John’s face is neutral. “She asked for me to be here, and we don’t keep secrets from each other.”

I keep my gaze fixed on her parents, but she taps her finger against my palm in thanks.

“You look good,” Cora cuts, quietly and unsure, “How are you? Are you doing okay? How’s Nora? She’s five now, right?”

The questions come out squished, one right after another, like she’s been holding them back for an age.

Addie’s face pales at the mention of Nora’s name, and her eyes meet mine in a panic. I can see the early stages of a shutdown, so I lean down and whisper, “You don’t owe them any answers.”

“I know,” she croaks, but turns to her mom.

“I’m doing well. Nora is good, too,” she whispers.

The waiter stops at the table, offering Addie a small reprieve, and I watch with thinly veiled disdain as John orders for Cora. She doesn’t seem to mind, but it only reminds me of the prick she went on a date with. When they circle to Addie, who holds the menu with a shaky grip, John opens his mouth like he plans to order for her, too.

Fuck that.

“She’ll have—”

“She can order for herself,” I cut him off, and his features morph into angry disbelief, and its with that look I know all civility toward me has disappeared.

He’s tolerating my presence because Addie is here, but I fear that courtesy is gone. So be it.

Addie’s voice is shallow and unsure as she places her order. “Could I get a cheeseburger, add bacon?”

The waiter nods. I ignore her parents' confused looks and order myself the same. It’s unclear if they’re staring because Addie is clutching my hand like a lifeline or because we ordered burgers at an upscale Italian restaurant, but I don’t care.

My girl can have a fucking cheeseburger on Mars if that’s what she wants.

The waiter leaves, and the table is deadly silent. Cora extends the first olive branch. “What do you do for work?”

“He’s a football player,” John responds, eyes travelling between Addie and me. “A popular one. Tell me, is she just another notch on your bedpost? Plan to toss her aside once she doesn’t fit your needs anymore like the last guy?”

His words strike like a slap, and Cora gasps.

This is the man who raised Addie? Kind, thoughtful, bright Adeline?

Cora and Addie stare at us, eyes wide as saucers, and for one moment, I lose myself in the hazel of Addie’s eyes. I know I supported this, but if this is how her father is starting this conversation, can any relationship be salvaged? Is it worth introducing Nora to this type of behavior, simply because they’re genetically related?

“That’s not how—” Cora scrambles to save the dinner, but I raise a hand and she pauses.

“Let me make one thingveryclear, “ I begin, voice laced with lethal calm. “You will speak to us with respect, or you won’t speak to us at all. She does not owe you this conversation or any explanation. And to answer your question—though I find it incredibly insulting—no, she’s not anothernotch on my bedpost,” I spit the words back with venom. “She is thelove of my life, and I will not sit here while you disrespect her. So, either you apologize and we begin again, or we’ll take the burgers to-go.”

Addie’s eyes burn a hole in the side of my head, but I keep my gaze fixed on John. His lips turn down in a frown, and he seems to consider his words. Seems he’s not entirely stupid. He releases a deep, tired sigh and his shoulders sag.

His focus turns to Addie, and I don’t miss the flicker of anguish on his face.

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