Chapter
Sixteen
Hayes
* * *
“It’s Leighton’s mom, and I just made a piss-poor impression,” I mumble, hopping out of the car. I weave through the parked cars to the front steps, holding my hands up, hoping she’ll hear me out. “Mrs. Sinclair, I am so sorry. The game ran a little late.”
“Miz,” she clarifies.
“Right. Ms. Sinclair.”
She looks past me, and I’m really regretting allowing Easton and Decker to join me.
Lincoln jumps off the stairs and walks right by me. No high-five. No great game. Reason number two I should’ve come alone. Look how easily I’ve been replaced.
“Easton Bailey? Decker Davis?” Lincoln’s voice reflects his awe.
Monroe comes down the stairs and tugs on my hand. “Can we go?”
“In a minute.” I give her a smile.
“You’re late, and the ladies are waiting for me. Try to pay attention and not lose one.” Ms. Sinclair walks down the stairs. “Are these your reinforcements because you can’t actually handle two kids by yourself but want Leighton to think you can?”
“No, no—I can handle them. They’re just clingy.” I laugh. She doesn’t. She’s already walking down the sidewalk. “I apologize again.”
“Another disappointing man. Nothing I’m not used to,” she mumbles as she walks toward the sidewalk. “Stay with them, Lincoln and Monroe. One pair of long legs and they’ll forget all about you.” She waves then disappears around the corner.
“She’s fun,” Decker says.
“Yeah, I guess you’re not on the Mommy-Approved list,” Easton says and laughs.
I’ve never spent any real time with Lillian Sinclair, but from what Callie said, the divorce and the cheating scorned her to the point that she’ll never trust another man, and she’s seen to it that Leighton sides with her. I hate that Leighton has never found a man she could trust. But maybe I’d hate it more if she had.
Lincoln jumps up and down next to us. “Can we all play catch?”
“No, we’re going to get my nails done,” Monroe says. “We have to get there before it closes.”
“All right, first—where is Lake?” I head up the porch stairs and into the house, everyone following. I need to walk Lake to the party.
“She already left. Aunt Lil got her ready, and we walked her to her friend’s house.” Lincoln walks into the family room and grabs his glove. “Now can we play catch?” He tosses the ball, and Decker catches it, tossing it back to him.
“Then I guess it’s off to the nail salon,” I say.
I spot a note on the table, in Leighton’s girlish handwriting, along with a key secured on a silver half-heart keychain.
“Did you break her heart already?” Easton eyes the keychain as I shove it in my pocket.
“Stop meddling.” I shoo him away with my hand.
“He’s good at meddling. Says he learned from his Grandma Dori,” Decker says.
I laugh, remembering Easton taking credit for getting Tweetie from the Falcons back together with his ex.
Monroe and Lincoln stare at us since they don’t understand what we’re talking about.
I clap my hands. “All right, let’s go!”
