Page 72 of Unrivaled

The fact that we’ve had sex twice now and have a kid together before our first date makes it all feel a little ridiculous, but even so, nerves swirl in my belly as I get ready. I opt for a turquoise wrap dress that makes my cleavage pop and pair it with my favorite charcoal ankle booties. Ben plays on my bed as I finish putting on my jewelry in my bedroom, singing to himself while he goes through the quiet book my mom made for him last year, unzipping the mama lady bug to get out the babies inside and play with them, counting them under his breath. I watch him in the mirror, smiling to myself.

When the doorbell rings, he pops up, his quiet book forgotten. “Gray’s here, Mama!” he shouts, running out of the room.

Chuckling, I pick up my clutch and follow him more slowly, knowing that my parents will beat me to the door no matter what. My dad’s been sitting in the living room pretending to read his newspaper all evening just waiting for this moment.

I rolled my eyes at his antics, but no power on heaven or earth will stop him from trying to scare Gray into treating me right. Not that Gray needs that kind of fear put into him. He’s the one who sought us out, after all. But reminding Dad of that fact did nothing but make him grunt and turn on the TV, his clear sign that he doesn’t want to discuss the matter further.

When I get to the entryway, Gray stands just inside the door, my parents ranged opposite him while he holds Ben in his arms. My mom looks almost starry eyed at the view of this young, handsome football player holding an adorable child.

My dad on the other hand …

He’s not so easily impressed.

He stands there, arms crossed, glaring at Grayson holding Ben, and I can’t help but smile.

Gray looks up and catches my eyes, his smile going from polite to delighted to mischievous in a matter of seconds. Oh man. I’m in trouble. If he’s sticking around and I’m getting a preview of what Ben will grow up to be like, that streak of mischief runs wide and deep.

He passes Ben off to my mom, ignoring Ben’s indignant squawk of protest, and comes straight for me, that smile firmly in place. “Hey,” he says to me, voice low. And I know without any shade of doubt that if it weren’t for my ban on kissing in front of Ben, he’d absolutely have locked lips with me already.

“Hey,” I return, my own smile curving my lips.

He looks me up and down, then reaches for my hand and spins me. “You look beautiful.”

Dad harrumphs, but Mom smacks his arm. “Be nice,” she loud whispers. “Let’s all say goodbye and let these two get out of here, okay?”

Tearing my attention from Gray, I give my dad a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Everything’s alright,” I whisper to him. “I can handle myself. I promise.”

His stern expression softens as he looks down at me, finally uncrossing his arms to return my hug. “Be safe. And if you need anything, we’re only a phone call away.”

“I know.” Turning to my mom, I take Ben from her, and he winds himself around me like I’ve never left him alone with my parents before, instead of it being a regular occurrence.

“I wanna come too,” he pouts.

I pat his back and give him a squeeze. “I know. But we’re going to a boring grownup restaurant to talk about boring grownup things. I promise you’ll have more fun here with Gramma and Grampa.”

His pouty lower lip and baleful glare tells me he doesn’t believe a word of it, but my mom reaches for him and whispers, “We’ll make cookies, okay?”

That does the trick, because he releases me instantly, his face all smiles now. “Chocolate chip?”

“Whatever kind you want,” she promises.

He claps his hands. “Chocolate chip!”

Leaning in, Mom gives me a quick hug. “Have fun,” she calls over her shoulder as she lets Ben drag her to the kitchen.

I retrieve my coat from the front closet under my dad’s watchful glare. Gray takes it from me and holds it out for me to put on. As I’m adjusting my hair and doing up the buttons, he slides his hands in the pockets of a nice black wool coat I’ve never seen before. Charcoal gray slacks cover his legs, and he has on sleek black loafers. I’ve never actually seen him dressed up before.

He looks yummy.

Dad makes a disgusted snort. “Get on out of here before I puke from watching you make eyes at each other.”

Raising my eyebrows, I turn to him. “You’re the one who decided to stay and watch.”

Gray stifles a laugh next to me, trying to turn it into a cough and fooling exactly no one.

Shooting him one last glare, Dad turns and walks into the living room, casting glances at us over his shoulder.

“We should go,” I whisper to Gray, and he snickers but holds the door open for me.

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