Missy grabs my hand before I can leave. “I appreciate this, Derek.”
“I’ll see you Friday.”
Then I’m out the door, breathing in the salty air. Fuck. I needed that. Every nerve is fried at the thought of letting Troy be with Missy.
But I have to do this.
I only hope it’s not the worst decision I’ve ever made.
Chapter Twenty-One
SUTTON
“I’m glad you guys were free tonight. It seems like it’s been ages since we’ve gotten together,” Gunnar tells everyone at the table.
“It’s hard when I want you all to myself.” Jameson drops a kiss on his cheek.
“Well, I’m glad we could pull you away from one another long enough to get together.” Derek laughs. “Hopefully we can make this work once spring football starts.”
Jameson looks confused from his spot across the table in the restaurant we’re in. Golden Edison bulbs hang above each table. Hard metal chairs sit around colorful wooden tables that have small succulents in terra-cotta pots.
“Football? Isn’t football a fall sport?” Jameson sips his drink.
Derek laughs. “It’s year-round for coaches. We’ll start training with the kids soon so they’ll be ready for tryouts in the summer.”
“And you’ll have to defend your state title,” I point out.
Derek beams at me. “Well, that too. But one thing at a time.”
“Just tell me if I need to be at the ready for balloon hats again.”
“At least for the kids. Lydia was so sad when hers deflated,” I tell him. “She misses her balloon animals.”
Jameson’s face lights up. “Maybe we can watch the kids one night for you two. Let you have a night together.”
Derek grabs my knee under the table and squeezes it. “That’d be really nice of you guys.”
“I will need some guidance. I’m not as good as this guy.” Gunnar throws a thumb to Jameson. “They love him.”
That has Derek pulling out his phone.
“Everything okay?” I ask, leaning into his side.
He shrugs a shoulder. “I guess no news is good news.”
“Everything okay?” Gunnar asks.
“Sorry,” Derek tells him. “You mentioning babysitting has me worried.”
Jameson laughs. “Gunnar won’t be a bad babysitter. I promise.”
“It’s not you. It’s Missy,” I say.
“Troy’s mom?” Jameson asks.
The moment her name is mentioned, Derek stiffens beside me. It’s like a freeze has gone over him. He hates any mention of her. Mainly because everything about the situation is unknown.
All I know is that she’s with the babysitter tonight. I’m praying things go well for everyone.
