Page 66 of Cross Check Daddies
I text back.
>> Just bring yourself. And wear that soft blue shirt. The one that makes your arms look unfair.
>> Yes, ma’am.
I smile, toss my phone onto the bed, and pull my hoodie over my head. Outside, Miami glows. The city doesn’t know what I’ve done, what I’m doing, or how close I am to pulling off everything I said I would. But I know.
And tonight, I get to be held by a man who listens when I talk, laughs when I’m sharp, and kisses me like I’m a secret he never wants to give away.
Two months in, and I’ve never been more sure.
This isn’t chaos.
This is a choice.
I walk into the living room to find Jackson lying on his stomach on the rug, completely immersed in coloring a T-Rex with hot pink spikes and bright green claws. The dinosaur book beside him is the one Tanner gave him two days ago, and it’s already bent at the corners like it’s been loved too hard. He looks up when he hears me, holding up his masterpiece with a proud grin.
“Mom, look! This one’s got lasers.”
“Lasers?” I crouch beside him and squint. “Where exactly are the lasers?”
He points to red streaks shooting out of the dino’s eyes. “Obviously right there.”
“Right. Of course.” I ruffle his hair, kiss the top of his head, and hear Sasha’s soft footsteps behind me.
“I’m heading out,” she says, pulling her bag over her shoulder.
“Thanks, Sash.” I walk to the kitchen, tap into my banking app, and send her the transfer. “Let me know if you want to switch Saturday’s hours.”
She nods, already halfway to the door. “Got it. Tell Jackson he owes me another dance battle.”
He hears her from the living room and shouts, “I’ve been practicing!”
She laughs and closes the door behind her.
I take a breath, then wander back to my son, settling beside him on the rug.
“Hey, babe,” I start gently. “Can I ask you something?”
He looks up, marker cap clenched between his teeth. “What?”
“My friends... the ones who visit sometimes. Do you mind when they come over?”
He pauses, thinking. “You mean the ones who bring me stuff?”
My lips twitch. “Yeah. Those ones.”
He shrugs. “They always bring me treats. Superman Tanner has toys for Buddy. Cam brought me the goalie gloves. And Coach Ace lets me ride on his shoulders. I like them.”
I lean back, studying his face. “You’re okay with them coming over sometimes?”
He nods like it’s no big deal, like this thing I’ve worried about is just a simple truth he already made peace with. “They like you. And they let me pick what movie we watch.”
I smile, ruffling his hair again. “You’re the coolest kid in the world.”
“I know.”
“You up for another hockey game next week?”
