Page 80 of Wanting the Winger

“Timeout. Mom’s home,” Ryan says.

“Mommy,” she yells, running toward me. I brace myself for the impact of her hitting me but she slows down at the last second, sparing me. She wraps her arms around me and I do the same to her. I press a kiss on top of her no longer neat blonde hair.

“Tillie, will you please run inside and grab us each a bottle of water from the fridge?”

“Okay, Dad.” She runs off without hesitation.

“How did it go with your dad?”

“Like you’d expect. He denied it at first and then he tried to justify the trade. We went back and forth until I told him he wouldn’t get to see Tillie anymore if he kept screwing with my life.”

“Damn, Evie. I didn’t expect to hear that.”

“How many times am I supposed to let this man walk all over me and just take it with no fighting?”

“I think you misunderstood me. I’m so proud you stood up to him. It was long overdue, and I bet he was shocked by your newfound strength. Darius has been good for you.”

I smile. “He really has, and in a lot of ways too.”

Tillie skips back out to us. “Daddy, you and Mommy can share this.” She hands a bottle of water to Ryan. “And I’ll drink this one.” She holds it up and Ryan removes the cap for her.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

The three of us sit down in the soft grass under the shade of a tall oak tree. Tillie ends up lying down with her head on Ryan’s leg and it doesn’t take long before she falls asleep.

“Someone’s tired after school,” I say.

“Someone who doesn’t go to school is also tired,” Ryan jokes, leaning his back against the thick tree trunk.

“Take a nap in the fresh air. You can’t move until she wakes up anyway,” I say.

He laughs. “Right? I guess I’m stuck here. Might as well take advantage of the situation.”

“I’m going in the house. I have laundry to do. Enjoy your nap.”

“That’s the plan.” He closes his eyes.

My hand is on the door to the mudroom when Darius pulls into my driveway. Parking, he gets out alone.

“Hey. I wasn’t expecting to see you now,” I say.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to come here.” He cups my face, and I rise onto my toes, connecting our lips. The kiss is sweet and all too brief, but when he draws back I’m smiling.

“I’m glad you did. Where’s Brutus?”

“He’s at home, probably sulking because I didn’t bring him with me.”

“Aww, poor baby. Why didn’t you?”

“I got some news about the trade and I wanted to let you know as soon as possible.”

“Is this good news or bad news?” I can’t tell from his expression. Did I push my dad into doing the opposite of what I wanted?Oh fuck.

“Neither.”

“How’s that even possible?” I ask.

“It’s great news.” He winks. “I got a call from your dad apologizing for the rumors going around about trading me.”

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