“It’s okay, man. This is a bro-hug,” Mitch teased, his tone light. “We do it all the time in the pros after a bad loss.”
They pulled apart, and Simon wiped his eyes.
“I never lost a relative, but I’ve had a few close friends go. And it’s never easy, not even years later.” Mitch smiled with fondness. “Wiley K., remember him?”
Simon nodded. “The Coyote.” His eyes widened. “Oh, right. He set all kinds of records for the Eagles when you started.”
“Yep. One tough son of a bitch and one of the best wide receivers we had. Man, he used to make me laugh all the time. He never stopped talking. The guys used to walk around him going ‘meep meep,’ like that damn road runner in the cartoons. And Wiley would chase after them. The pranks he’d play…” Mitch sighed. “Then he took a hit wrong, broke his neck, and lingered in the hospital for two months before he died. I loved that guy. Ten years later, I still miss him. And he wasn’t my father.”
“Yeah. I know mom still misses Dad. Maybe because it was so sudden the way he died. None of us expected it. But she was sad for a long time, even though she tried to hide it. But she’s not sad now.”
“She’s had time to mourn, Simon.”
“No, she gets weird this time of year. It’s when he died, you know.”
Mitch nodded.
“But with you she’s different. She’s really into you, man. And if you break her heart, it wouldn’t be good.” Simon clenched his fists. “If you’re not serious about her, or you just plan to hook up until something better comes along—which is impossible, by the way—you should break it off now. I don’t care if it’s Christmas or not. Be good to my mom. She deserves it.”
Oreo trotted to him and sat, looking up at Simon in concern. Mr. Energy didn’t care, now carrying that ball around in his mouth like a trophy.
“Let me ask you something,” Mitch said. “If I was to want to make myself a more permanent member of your family, would you be okay with that?”
Simon frowned. “Permanent how? Like her steady boy toy?”
Mitch sighed. “That’s boyfriend. But no. Simon, I’m just gonna say it. I love your mom like crazy. And you’re not half bad yourself. But I can’t rush your mom. If she isn’t comfortable with the idea of forever yet, I’ll be patient and wait. You can’t rush her either. That’s if you’re okay with the idea of me being in your life.”
Simon blinked, and once again Mitch saw a suspicious shine…that damn it all, crept into his own eyes.
So they stood blinking at each other and trying to be manly.
“I think that would be pretty cool.” Simon wiped his nose on his sleeve.
“Yeah? Good.” Mitch cleared his throat. “That’ll give me time to work on your game, because you have a few areas needing work on the field.”
“Okay. Sure.” Simon’s smile widened. “So, if we’re gonna be family and live together…” He watched Mitch for a reaction. “Can I have parties in the pool?”
“No beer. And no girls overnight. Your mom’s head might explode.”
“But Jenna could hang out in the media room with us.”
Us.“Sure. And your mom can have the kitchen to cook all her wonderful meals.”
“Yeah?” Simon petted Oreo, who looked to be in heaven. “Can I get a dog?”
Mitch sighed. “That’s up to your mom. But Simon… I’m serious. We can’t force her to accept this. She needs to be okay with me. I might look like it, but I’m not as perfect as you’d think.”
Simon laughed. “Yeah, sure, Flash. Okay. Or is that Daddy Flash? My Step-Mitch?”
“Stop. Stop. Mitch is good. We can work on othernicenames—when your mom is on board.”
“You know she loves you.”
Mitch prayed to God she did. He didn’t think he could handle it if she didn’t. “I don’t know that. I hope she does. I think she might. But Becca needs time to… Why are you shaking your head at me?”
“Mitch, Daddy Flash, can you trust me?”
“Yes.” Seeing that look on Simon’s face, Mitch knew to be wary. “Why?”
