My mother laughs. “I’m pretty sure you’re safe from broccoli today, my girl. But I think I saw some carrots over there. I’ll join you.”
With one hand in Adeline’s, Avery reaches for my mom. Then the three of them walk away. I can’t take my eyes off them. Especially when Adeline and my mother lift Avery between them, swinging her,and my daughter lets out the happiest laugh. This is what she deserves. A room full of people who love that laugh. My mother and Adeline showing her the love a mother and grandmother should.
My heart pinches. Adeline’snother mother.
My father steps into my side, his arm brushing mine as we watch the scene unfold. Knowing my dad, he’s swooning internally. He always does when he looks at my mother. And he’s the best damn grandfather there ever was. He’s so good with Avery.
“Have you heard from Tabitha?”
Without turning away from the beauty in front of me, I shake my head. Regardless of the depressing topic, my mood doesn’t dip. How could it when Adeline is smiling warmly at my little girl and pointing out every kind of cookie so she can pick which one she wants?
“But she’s been served?”
That question hits me, sobering my mood. “No. She’s working hard to avoid the sheriff.”
His jaw flexes. “You never should have married that woman.”
The familiar defense flares in my chest. My father and I fought a lot when I told him I was marrying Tabitha.
Just because you had a baby together doesn’t mean you have to marry her. You don’t love her. What are you thinking? She was a puck bunny. She is going to ruin your life.
He was right. About all of it.
My shoulders deflate. “I know.”
My father’s blue eyes, the same exact icy shade as mine, widen.
I’ve never admitted as much. Through all these years, all her affairs, all the misery she put us through, I’ve always told him to mind his own business. That I had it handled.
Truth is, I never wanted to touch Tabitha. I gave her free rein, permission to do whatever the fuck she wanted so long as she was a good mother to Avery. I told her when I proposed that I was doing it for Avery.
I wasn’t the good guy. I didn’t give a relationship with her a shot. I was still in love with Adeline. Of course I was. I still am.
But I was hurt after finding Dirk in her room and I couldn’t find myway past the pain, instead becoming destructive. Marrying a woman I despised in a huge wedding that Adeline couldn’t avoid hearing all about or seeing pictures of all over the internet.
I was cruel. I deserve everything that has happened to me. But Avery doesn’t.
“We’ll get her served.” Dad squeezes my shoulder. “Have I told you how proud I am of how you’ve handled all of this? What a good father you are?”
Throat tightening, I force out a jerky response. “Learned from the best.”
He pulls me into his chest, hugging me tight. “Love you, son.”
I wrap my arms around him, and for a moment, I allow myself to take the comfort I need from the strongest man I know. “I love you too, Dad.”
“They’re taking the field,” Hope squeals.
Releasing me, Dad pats my shoulder, then the two of us head over to the glass. Uncle Cash and Beckett are standing side by side, watching as Tennessee’s players rush the field.
And keeping with the schtick my cousin is famous for, he runs out wearing a cowboy hat.
The crowd cheers wildly. Even though Theo plays for the opposing team, the people of Boston still consider him one of their own. He’s like a damn celebrity everywhere he goes. Everyone loves Theo James.
When he gets to the sidelines, he takes off his hat and snags the helmet a member of the staff holds out to him.
“He going to do that in Boston too?” Beckett asks.
“I don’t think you’ll get him to stop that.”
