Apollo’s fork is half to his mouth as his eyes widen. Like I caught him doing something bad. “I took notes.”
I’m still scrolling. Still stunned.
“All my likes. My dislikes. You have my period schedule in here? When my car’s due for an oil change? My restaurant choices. Fast-food orders.” I glance at him as he sets his tray aside. “My soccer schedule?”
“Uh, some of those I got from your mom. So if they’re wrong, I blame her. It was easier than trying to read and write from those books you gave me.” He shrugs. “At least I had an interest in the subject.”
“Youwroteall this?”
“Um, yeah. Sorry? Was that too…stalkerish?”
I rush toward him and toss the tray aside, scrambling into his lap. He grunts with pain, but I don’t care. My lips are on his, the taste of garlic and onion making my stomach grumble. I press little kisses along his stubbled jaw. His thick neck. His brawny chest. “I love you. I love you,” I whisper between each.
“Shit, tulip. I was hungry for Mom’s food. Now, I need you.”
“And apparently, I need you. More than I thought I did.” I hold his face with both hands. With a heart filled with gratitude, I tell him, “I’m so fucking glad I married you.”
forty-seven
ELI
“Dad? Can I talk to you?”
My youngest son hobbles over to me on a crutch during halftime of the Stallions game. I glance behind me, where Essa’s in the kitchen with the girls, including Scout.
Pointing at my chest, I shrug. “You want to talk tome? Not your mom?”
“Yeah.”
My son wants to talk tome.Nothis mom… I can’t help the proud smile that creeps over my face.
I clear my throat and point to the den. The only place that could be private. Though I’ll have to kick out some grandkids.
“Can I stay, Grandpa?” Andrew asks, big brown eyes acting hurt.
I give him a squeeze and set him just outside the door. “I’ll tell you what. When we’re done in here, you and I will do as many push-ups as the Stallions’ score right now. What do you think?”
“Alright!” he squeals and runs toward the living room.
Apollo shakes his head. “Tricking him with push-ups. Next, you’ll have him cleaning the bathrooms.”
“Worked on you, didn’t it?”
He grimaces. “Until I was eight.”
I point toward the leather sofa, and he awkwardly flops down on it, his cast aimed like a stiff branch in front of him.
“When are they taking that off?” I sit in the oversized chair along the far wall.
“Still got two more weeks.” He’s quiet. Too quiet.
“What’s going on?” I prod.
“Graduation is coming up, and I know that you and Uncle Adon wanted me to help out with the Kingston location until we can open a new franchise.”
I nod slowly, trying to control my face. “That was the plan.”
His neck tightens as he swallows. “But I was wondering if… I think I can qualify for a loan to get Karina.”
