Page 26 of Knox
I set the phone face down on the couch cushion beside me and didn’t move for a while. The apartment was too quiet, and I hated that my son’s laughter was happening over a thousand miles away without me there with him. I told myself that he was happy and surrounded by people who loved him. But it didn’t alleviate the ache in my chest.
11
Knox
It had beenfour days since Crew had left for spring training, and I was catching a flight in a couple of hours to join him and the rest of the Seawolves in Arizona. Of course, I couldn’t leave Portland without saying goodbye to Grady and Mallory first.
Since we’d been bouncing between houses the last few weeks, neither Crew nor I bothered knocking to make Mallory or her mom answer the door. Walking inside, I found Mallory in the living room, propped up with pillows on the couch.
“Hey, Mal. How ya doing?”
She smiled and set down the remote. “Not too bad today. Mom helped me get in the shower this morning. It’s amazing what clean hair can do for a lady.”
“Well, you look gorgeous.” I handed her the coffee I’d picked up on my way over. “Half-caf with two Splenda and a splash of oat milk.”
Her eyes lit up. “You’re too good to me. Thank you.”
“Of course. You’re my favorite kid’s mom, so I gotta treat you right.” I chuckled. “Speaking of my favorite kid …” Before I couldask her where Grady was, Debra came into the room. “Hi, Mrs. Wade,” I greeted politely, like I did any time I saw her.
“Knox,” she replied, icily, then headed down the opposite hall from where she’d entered.
Mallory sighed. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why she acts that way with you, but I’m going to talk to her.”
“You have much more important things to deal with. One day I’ll win her over, but until then, don’t worry about me.” I grinned, hoping what I said was true.
She gave me a small smile. “I just wish she could show some appreciation for all you’ve done for us. You even stayed behind when you could have left with Crew for spring training.”
“Like I was going to leave you all before I had to.” The original planwasto drive down to Arizona with Crew, but that all changed when we figured it might be helpful to both Mallory and Archer if I hung around as long as I could. “Besides, I got four extra days of Grady time.”
“And he loved every second of it.”
“Me too. Now, where’s G?” I looked at the time on my phone. “My ride will be here in ten minutes, and I want to say goodbye.”
“He and Archer are in the kitchen, likely making a mess and claiming it’s lunch.”
I grinned. “Sounds about right.”
Rounding the corner of the kitchen, I saw Grady standing in his toddler tower at the counter, Archer holding onto him while he arranged apple slices on the plates.
“Lunch is looking good,” I said, catching them by surprise.
“Knox!” Grady shouted.
I crossed the room and lifted him out of the tower for a hug.
“Are you still leaving today?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. My plane leaves soon.”
“Will you call me every day like Daddy does?”
“Of course I will.” I ruffled his hair.
“He’s already picked out the book he wants to read with you guys tonight,” Archer stated. “I think the video calls have been helping with him missing Crew. I’m sure it will help with him missing you too.”
“I hope so.” I glanced at my boyfriend’s son. I never expected I’d be dating a father at this point in my life, but there wasn’t a single thing I’d change about our situation. Grady had worked his way into my heart, and I believed all of our lives were better with him in them. “G, I’ve got to go. Be good for your mom and listen to Archer, okay?”
“I always listen,” he replied firmly.
