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“Played a killer game, my boy,” Mom tells me, pulling me in for a hug. She still smells like jasmine.
“Thanks. I’m really glad y’all could make it out. I know it’s a lot to ask,” I say.
Mom waves me off. “Oh, stop. I had the night off, and besides, Jack hooked us up.”
Yeah, he did. Coach always makes sure our families are taken care of, giving them direct access to the Tower Lounge.
“I had five ice cream cones!” Delaney says, jumping in excitement while Jackson retorts, “You had ten, Laney.” I laugh, realizing how much older Jackson is getting. He’s nine and wise beyond his years.
I make a mental note to thank Coach for taking care of my family later.
The Tower Lounge is stocked full of snacks, drinks—a closed bar tonight—and clean VIP access bathrooms.
You don’t realize how necessary private bathrooms are until you visit a public stadium during the thick of the summer heat.
It ain’t pretty.
“Where’d Tatum go?” I ask, frantically realizing I lost sight of him for a second. Kids are fucking fast at two.
“He’s right here,” the prettiest feminine voice exclaims from behind us. I turn to meet my little venom and stop short at the sight in front of me.
“Glovffff!” Tatum shouts, attemptingto say glove. “Yay!” he squeals, a near-toothless grin reaching his chubby cheeks as he claps his hands.
“Good job, bud!” Tenley cheers, gently tossing the ball to Tatum as he works hard to catch it in the glove.
I’m suddenly unable to breathe, and it’s the kind of breath I’d never complain about losing. This picture in front of me is my reason for existing on this earth.
The woman behind my purpose.
My woman—even if she never admits it—looks as radiant as ever carrying my child, while showing unmatched care and attention to my family.
No one asked her to keep watch on Tatum. I knew Tenley had gone to the restrooms to freshen up after our sauna escapade and planned to wait for her here. I must have missed her entrance, too caught up in seeing my family again.
Her sky-blue eyes lift to mine from her crouched position as she casts me a beam so bright, I should wear goddamn shades.
But I would never. Miss out on the beauty that constitutes Tenley Abrams? Not a chance. Not when I’m seeing it more than I ever anticipated.
Enough that I’m beginning to believe she might actually…like me.
Does the mother of my child, and the most beautiful woman in my worldlikeme?
I intend to find out.
“You must be Ms. Graves.” Tenley stands, wasting no time to greet my mom. “I’m Tenley. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
Fuck. She’s perfect.
Mom smiles. “Leanne Matthews,” Mom corrects herkindly, and I see horror immediately paint Tenley’s face. “Oh gosh. I’m so?—”
“Don’t be,” Mom cuts her off, laughing to herself. “At one time, I was a Graves. Good riddance to the man with that last name, but I still love it because this special man wears it proudly.” She places her hand on my shoulder and sends me the kindest grin.
“I love that,” Tenley tells her, seeming to have relaxed by now. I watch as Tenley works herself up to continue. I can tell she wants to say something important, and if I’ve learned anything about Tenley by now, it’s that voicing how she feels is a struggle.
I’d really like her to tellmehow she feels, but we’ll celebrate little victories.
Her courage finds her, and my mouth drops open in shock at the rawness of her words. “I know it may sound strange saying this after we literally just met two minutes ago.” She chuckles. “But I just wanted to say thank you for raising such an incredible man. I could have had any father for my child, but the fact that our son gets to grow up with a dad like August…” Tears fill her round eyes. “Well, you’ll never know what that means to me.”
Tenley sends me a look of pride, and I refuse to do anything but soak her in. Bask in her words and let them shape me into the man and soon-to-be father I’ll be.
