Page 66 of Pucking Fate

“I’ll have to think about it and talk to Preston, so don’t tell Finley yet?”

“I won’t,” he assures me as he rolls off me, climbing off the bed to grab his clothes. Or at least his navy-blue boxer briefs. “Can I still spend the night?”

“Yes,” I easily agree.

God, I should’ve let him stay all the other nights too, now that I know he’s leaving so soon…

That familiar ache in my chest makes me want to cry. I already miss Christian and he’s still here, in my bedroom. Once he’s gone, the longing for him is going to be so much worse.

And the doubt, well, it’s inevitable. I can feel it already setting in.

Everything is about to change again.

I fucking hate change.

Christian

I wake up early the next morning, a sense of anticipation and sadness bubbling in my chest. Today’s the last day I get to spend with Finley before I leave, and I’m not going to waste a second of it.

Maya, well, I’m trying not to think about leaving Maya, or about how I was the one who put the brakes on to stop things last night after waiting for so long to be with her again.

It just didn’t feel right. Physically, yes, the night was perfect, but emotionally, I know Maya’s not ready yet, even if I weren’t about to leave.

By the time the pancakes are sizzling in the pan, Finley comes bounding down the stairs, still in his pajamas, his hair a wild mess. “Morning, Dad! What’s that smell?” he asks, waking right up.

“Pancakes,” I say with a grin, flipping one of the golden-brown discs. “You ready for our big day?”

Finley nods enthusiastically, practically bouncing on his toes. “Yeah! Where are we going?”

“I was thinking we could go to the arcade first,” I suggest, plating the pancakes. “And then maybe grab some lunch, go to the park, then hit the community pool once it’s smoldering hot outside. What do you think?”

His face lights up. “Yes! Can we play the racing games at the arcade?”

“Of course,” I say, ruffling his hair as I set the plate of pancakes down in front of him. “We’ll play whatever you want.”

Maya comes downstairs just as we’re finishing breakfast, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, freshly showered and in a red, sleeveless cotton dress. She gives me an easy smile, leaning against the counter as she watches Finley devour his pancakes. “You two ready for an exciting day?” she asks.

“Yep,” Finley says through a mouthful of food. “We’re going to the arcade and park and pool! Dad said I can play the racing games!”

Maya smiles, her eyes flicking to mine. “Sounds like you’ve got a full day planned.”

I return her smile. “Yeah. We’re going to have the best day ever.”

I’m torn between wanting to invite Maya and wanting to make the day solely about Finley. As if understanding that, she leans down and kisses the top of Finley’s head before turning to me. “I’ll go pack up a bag for him with his swimsuit. Have a good time today. I’ll be here tonight when you get home.”

28

Christian

The arcade is exactly the kind of chaotic fun I remember from when I was a kid. The flashing lights, the sound of coins clinking in machines, and the laughter of kids running from one game to the next. Finley’s eyes are wide with excitement as we walk in, and he immediately pulls me toward the row of racing games.

“Come on, Dad! Let’s race!”

I chuckle as we sit side by side, and Finley picks the biggest, flashiest car on the screen while I opt for something more modest. Not that it matters — I’m going to let him win, anyway.

The race starts, and Finley is a bundle of energy beside me, leaning into every turn as if he’s really driving. I keep pace with him, but I make sure to fall behind just enough so that he crosses the finish line first.

“I won!” he shouts, jumping out of his seat and pumping his fist in the air. “I beat you, Dad!”

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