“I knew he wouldn’t.”
“Well, your secret’s safe with me too.”
“I know. Thanks, man. And Dustin doesn’t know about DC. No one does.”
“I’m honored you called.”
“She’s changing me.”
“The best women always do.” He smiles and bites into his sandwich again.
We finish our meal and I clear our plates.
“Don’t you have a game this afternoon?” Patrick asks as I’m loading the dishes into the dishwasher.
“Yeah. Last one to see if we make it into the playoffs.”
“Well, good luck with that.”
“Thanks. And thanks for coming by on a moment’s notice.”
“Anytime,” Patrick says. “I mean it, Grey. I’m here for you if you need me.”
“Yeah. That goes both ways,” I tell him.
“I’m glad it goes both ways now.”
He doesn’t have to explain. I’ve been the giver. This time, I made the call.
Chapter 29
Hallie
It is easier to build strong children
than to repair broken men.
~ Frederick Douglass
“Go Mia!” Dustin shouts from his spot about four people down from me in the bleachers.
Yes. My whole crew is here—at a coach pitch little league game—with their wives and girlfriends and their friends. Including my mom and Avery, we take up more than a whole row.
And Dustin is cheering for Mia when the game hasn’t even started.
“Meee-yuh! Meeeeee-yuh! Gooooo Mia!”
“Shhhh,” Emberleigh puts her hand on Dustin’s forearm. “Babe, at least wait til she’s up to bat.”
“I’m getting her pumped for the game. It’s a thing.”
He pulls a stuffed unicorn head out of a bag and pops it on his head, waving a glittery wand around. “Go Llamacorns!”
Emberleigh leans forward and looks down the row at me. “I’m sorry!”
I’m laughing so hard I can’t breathe. “It’s okay. I’m used to him.”
“Tell me your secrets,” she says through her own laughter. “I’m married to him and I’m not used to him!”
