Page 63 of Brazen Obsession

The baseball game commences and soon Drew is cheering and encouraging from the stands. It’s the bottom of the third when Drew looks over at me.

“Can I get you something to drink? They sell bottles of soda and water behind the stands.”

“I’d love a water.” It’s not that hot out and the stands are shaded.

He glances at Leah.

“Yes, a water would be nice.” She shakes her head at him like she doesn’t know what to do with him.

He leans down and gives me a kiss. “Be right back.”

He hurries down the stands and disappears.

“This has to be so weird for you.” Leah glances at me with a wary smile. Is she nervous?

“Honestly, I don’t know what this is.” I laugh a little. My stomach turns over, but being direct usually gets me answers. “Drew brought me here, but I’m sorry, I have no idea how you and your son fit into his life.”

Leah glances away guiltily. “That’s my fault.”

“How so?” I brace myself. What if Drew keeps them a secret? Am I ready for him to have this little family on the side?

She clasps her hands together between her knees. “It’s embarrassing. He does everything for us when it’s not even his responsibility.”

“Not his responsibility?” I ask. My stomach twists as Leah releases a deep breath.

“Between his father forgetting to make the payments or just plain being stubborn about paying, Drew is a godsend to us. But he shouldn’t be held accountable for his father’s mistakes.”

“His father?” I feel like a parrot, but it seems like I only have part of the story. Some of the tension releases inside me though.

“Elijah is Drew’s half-brother. I had an affair with Mark Young.” She blushes. “I’m not proud of it, but Elijah was the result and Mark usually is good with the money, at least. That’s all the contact he wants with his son, but Drew...” Her smile grows and her eyes glaze over. “When he found out, he stepped up. But I’m the one who doesn’t want him to tell anyone. It’s not Drew’s burden. It’s mine and I couldn’t be happier with my son.”

Brother. I look again at the boy who is currently up to bat. Drew stands at the fence with the bottles of water, yelling encouragement. My heart swells. It’s a secret that wouldn’t hurt me or even him, but it would hurt his father and potentially his mother.

Drew waits for Elijah to hit the ball and run for first base before turning and heading up the stands to us. His smile is warm as he hands a bottle to Leah before sitting and giving me one.

“Do you have time to go to lunch with the team?” Leah asks.

Drew glances at me like I might say no. We do have work to do at home and then Dante wants me to accompany him to his uncle’s for dinner, but there’s time.

“We’d love to go,” I answer for him.

In the end, Elijah’s team wins. We move off the stands with the rest of the crowd and then stand in an awkward circle, waiting for Elijah.

“You should have told her, Drew,” Leah finally says. “She might have thought he was yours.”

Drew glances at me. “She would have loved him no matter what. Besides, it’s not my secret to tell. If my father doesn’t want to claim⁠—‍”

“You claim him.” Leah shakes her head. “Mark only wants to make us go away and he sends money to do that. You’re there for us when we need you. Elijah looks up to his older brother.”

I step close to Drew and link our fingers together. “He couldn’t have a better brother.”

Drew kisses my temple.

“I like you.” She touches Drew’s arm. “Don’t let this one go.”

“I don’t plan to,” Drew says softly. My heart beats a little harder.

Elijah comes running out and smacks into Drew, throwing his arms around Drew’s waist. “You came.”