“Anytime.”
I left my hand on my thigh. It would have been the easiest thing in the world to reach over and take hers. The distance was nothing.
But the crowd roared again, a foul ball flew into the stands, and the moment broke before I became brave enough to bridge the gap.
After the game,we filed out with the rest of the crowd, the energy still electric. Mom was moving slowly on her crutches, Dad hovering close in case she needed help. Travis had Leo on his shoulders while Brooke wrangled Annabella and Oliver. Erica looked exhausted, one hand on her belly, Devin keeping a protective arm around her.
“That was a great game,” Dad said, grinning at all of us. “Worth every penny.”
“Absolutely.” Mom shifted her weight on the crutches, then turned to Emily. “It was so lovely to meet you, sweetheart. You’ll have to come by for Sunday lunch sometime. I’d love to hear more about your art.”
Emily’s eyes went a little wide, her cheeks flushing. “Oh, I’d love that. Thank you.”
“Wonderful.” Mom patted her arm gently. “Just let Cam know when works for you and we’ll make it happen.”
We said our goodbyes in the parking lot, kids being loaded into various vehicles, promises to do this again soon. Travis clapped me on the shoulder as he passed.
“Good game, bro.”
“Yeah. Good game.”
He shot me a knowing look but didn’t say anything else, just headed for his car.
The girls climbed into my truck, still buzzing from the win. But by the time we’d made it out of the stadium parking lot and onto the highway, both of them had gone quiet. I glancedin the rearview mirror to find them both slumped against their seatbelts, mouths open, completely out.
“That was fast,” Emily said softly, looking back at them.
“Long day. They’ll be down for the count.”
The drive home was quiet. Just the hum of the engine and the occasional passing car. Emily had her window cracked slightly, her hair moving in the breeze. I kept my eyes on the road but I was hyperaware of her presence beside me, of the way she’d shift slightly in her seat, of how she’d glance at me when she thought I wasn’t looking.
It seemed like an eternity passed before I finally pulled into my drive. When I cut the engine, the girls didn’t even stir.
I undid my seatbelt, looking over at Emily. She was already moving, unbuckling her own belt with soft, careful movements so the click wouldn’t wake them.
“I’ve got Audrey,” I whispered.
She didn’t argue, just nodded and slipped out of the truck.
We worked in tandem. A quiet, synchronized dance that felt like we’d done it a hundred times before. Alice’s head dropped onto Emily’s shoulder immediately, her small arms wrapping around Emily’s neck in her sleep. Audrey was heavier, all gangly limbs and dead weight, but I managed to get her settled against my chest.
Inside, neither of us spoke as we climbed the stairs. The house was dark and quiet, the only sound the soft pad of our footsteps on the carpet.
I nudged the bedroom door open with my shoulder, carrying Audrey to her bed while Emily moved to the other side of the room. It was effortless. Domestic.
I pulled the quilt up over Audrey, smoothing her hair back from her forehead. When I looked up, Emily was tucking the sheet around Alice, her expression so tender it made my chest ache.
She looked up. Caught me watching her.
Her eyes were dark, unreadable, in the dim light spilling in from the hallway. We stood there for a beat, separated by two sleeping little girls and a whole world of complications.
Then she turned and slipped out into the hall.
I followed her, pulling the door closed with a barely audible click.
The silence in the hallway felt different now. Heavier. Charged.
We walked downstairs, the air between us thickening with every step. I didn’t want her to leave. I couldn’t think of a single logical reason to make her stay, but the thought of the front door closing behind her made my skin itch.
