I gave him an uneasy look. He gave me a weak smile, but it felt like an OK to answer his mom. “Yes, a boy. Grant Thomas Orion Jones—GTO Jones. The story is he was conceived in the back of the same vehicle—a red ’67 GTO—as my brother, Luke. Grant is 18 months and so stinking cute. He looks just like my brother, but has his mommy’s personality—fun.” I probably went too far. I didn’t even look at Cage. The enthusiasmfor my little nephew, and the sister-in-law that I practically worshipped, was too hard to hide.
Cage set the pan down and retrieved his phone from his pocket.
“Banks, what’s up?”
I tracked him as he paced the kitchen.
“I am. She is. Hold on.” He held out his phone. “Banks. He wants to talk to you.”
My eyes narrowed at the phone as I took it. “Everson?”
“It’s been more than a week. You said you’d be gone a week. You didn’t leave me your cell number.”
“I said a week or so. You never asked for my number. What’s wrong? Is it Shayna?”
“I’ve interviewed fifteen different nannies, but I can’t decide and that’s probably because I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. She hasn’t had a bath since you gave her one. That seems bad, right? I can’t do this, I can’t fucking do this.”
“Slow down. It’s fine. She’s fine. The bath thing is pretty bad, but I’ll help you.”
“How can you fucking help me when you’re not here?”
“Please tell me she’s not standing there while you’re dropping all these f-bombs.”
“She’s watching TV in the other room. When are you coming home?”
“Um… I’m not sure.”
“Today. I’ll pay for your ticket.”
I laughed. “I don’t need you to buy me a ticket.”
Cage continued drying dishes with Brooke, giving me the occasional narrow-eyed look.
“Not today. I’ll get a flight home tomorrow.”
“A morning flight.”
“Anavailableflight. Bye.”
I handed Cage his phone.
He pocketed it. “Sooo… we’re flying back tomorrow?”
Brooke pulled the drain on the water and wiped her hands. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
“I’m sorry. He’s having a rough time with Shayna.”
“It’s fine.”
Were we a couple? Were we having our first fight? It didn’t feel like a fight, but his “fine” didn’t really sound fine.
“You don’t have to leave tomorrow. In fact, you should stay with your family. I’m sure they’d love to spend as much time as possible with you during the offseason.”
Cage nodded slowly, more of a processing nod than an approval nod. “That’s… fine.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’m yours for the day, Monaghan. I do believe you promised me a bounce house and some cake.”
He tugged on my ponytail. “Did I mention I kinda like you—a lot?”
