Andrew.
He stopped beside the woman, just slightly behind her.Like he didn’t expect to be noticed.
My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
What the fuck was he doing here?
At a seven-year-old's hockey game?
Was it his friend’s kid?The one he bought the book for?
My thoughts scrambled.None of them made sense.
He pulled out his phone, typed something, and slid it into his coat pocket.
And then he looked up.
Our eyes locked.
My heart lodged in my throat.
My phone pinged.
I looked down and saw the new message.
Andrew:I’m not giving up on us.I told her it's over.I promise.It can finally be me and you.
I looked up again and saw her watching me.
The blonde.The wife.Victoria.
Her expression wasn’t surprised.
It wasknowing.
My chest tightened; it felt like I couldn't breathe.And then...
It got worse.
Jackson came sprinting toward us, grinning from ear to ear."Aunt Cass, did you see my goal?"
Behind him was a boy I didn’t recognize at first.
Until I focused on his features, and I did.
Same eyes.Same smile.Same fucking face.
The boy skidded to a stop and looked at Andrew.
“Dad, can we go for ice cream with them?”
Clara smiled gently at them like this was all fucking normal.“Not this time, sweetheart.We’ve got a family BBQ.”
But I wasn't really listening anymore.Because the boy...he...
Dad.
The boy had calledhimDad.
