My gaze finds hers, steady and certain. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” I think for a second before I continue, “What would help right now? Anything. Tell me.”
She sighs as she seems to ponder it before she responds, “People. I just need to be around people. Noise. Distraction.”
“Done,” I reply. I let go of her hand and grab my phone.
“What are you doing?” she asks warily.
“I’m creating noise and distraction for you,” I say with a wink.
Chapter Thirty-One
Jessie
This man is insane. I don’t know how he pulled this off, but here we are, in a suite at the Yankees game with … everyone. Eva, Roman, Colton, Sawyer, Lincoln, Kylie, Dean and all of the babies.
Kylie, Eva, and I are sitting on the carpet inside the suite as we play with the babies, who are sprawled across a large blanket. Kylie’s brother, Ben, is outside of the suite in the seats with the guys. He is only fourteen years old, but a wise kid for his age. He and Kylie have been through so much together, and it’s so nice to see such a happy ending for both of them.
I look down at Eli, who’s looking over at her cousin, Addie. She begins to babble and blow bubbles at her, and I can’t help but smile with affection at them together.
“Hey,” Eva says, pulling my attention. “How are you doing?”
“I’m hanging in there. Still a bit in shock, I guess.”
Kylie and Eva both nod their heads in understanding.
“I can’t imagine,” Kylie replies. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Just know we’re here for you whenever you need us.”
“Thanks.” I smile.
“You’ll get through this,” Eva says matter-of-factly. “It’s going to hurt for a while, but one day, the ache won’t feel so sharp. Sometimes, the things that break us open are the same ones that let the light in.”
We both look over at Walker, who’s laughing at something one of the guys must’ve said. He still manages to get my blood pumping without doing anything but be himself.
“He was a wreck when he came to me the other day,” Eva confesses.
“Was he?” I ask, my heart beginning to race.
She meets my stare. “Like I’ve never seen him before. I’ve never seen him cry. It broke my heart. He’s been tortured with this for years. He never wanted to hurt you.”
“I wanted to blame him at first. To label him as someone who would lie and hurt me. But he didn’t ask for any of this. He just … got caught in the fallout.” My throat tightens, and I force a shaky breath. “He’s made mistakes, sure. But this—what happened—it wasn’t his to fix.”
“Does that mean you two …” Eva starts, the hope in her voice evident.
I answer honestly, “I’m not in the headspace right now to do anything but heal. It’ll take time. I love him. I do. I always will. I just hope he’ll be patient with me as I try to process everything.”
Kylie smiles. “I get the feeling that man will do anything for you.”
I wrap that hope around my heart for comfort—something I desperately need right now. I just need to take life day by day.
Eli begins to fuss, and I take that as her cue to be fed and take a nap. I know Walker will get mad since he’s always making sure I’m not helping out of obligation, but I love my time with Eli.
I get her bottle ready and sit in a chair in the corner where we have her travel crib set up. As I feed her, my heart fills with so much love that it feels like it might burst. I love her so much, and I love her father.
Is this what my dad feels for me, even if I’m not really his?
I can’t focus on that right now. I peer down at the sweetheart in my arms. Something tells me this isn’t the end for the three of us. That there’s more in store for me and Walker.
I set Eli’s empty bottle aside and wipe away a stray droplet from her chin before laying her gently in the crib. She sighs, content, and my chest squeezes with love so fierce that it’s almost painful.
