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Sometimes it was hard to believe this tall, solid, sullen teen was once my little baby. But I still wanted to kiss away the pain no matter how much he’d grown. “You’re just a freshman on the team. It’ll take some time to get your bearings.”

He gave me a look. He really resembled his dad when he made that scowly face.

“Okay,” I said, turning up the radio. On the way to my parents’ house, I stopped and picked up a bottle of champagne at the liquor store and then two big pizzas at Slice, the local pizza shop. When I came back into the car with the boxes, Levi perked up. I swear the kid’s always hungry.

“We’re eating out?” he asked. “How much is that guy paying you?”

I grinned. When I’d seen that number on the page, I realized I was making more than Caleb for the first time in my life.

Back when I told Caleb I was leaving because of his infidelity, he’d said all sorts of horrible things to get me to stay. He’d told me no one would be interested in a plus-size single mom of three. He’d said I would never make enough money to support the kids, even with child support, and that I’d come crawling back. He’d even stooped so low as to say the kids would hate me for making them live in poverty when their dad had such a good job.

He waswrong.

“Enough,” I said finally, putting the car in gear and driving the few blocks to my parents’ house.

“Does that mean I can get my new mitt?”

“Pizza today, a mitt later,” I replied with a smile as I parked in my parents’ driveway.

Levi carried his bag and the pizzas while I brought my purse and the champagne inside. Dad sat in his recliner, watching the evening news while Mom colored at the table with Cora and Andrew.

“Mommy!” Cora said, dropping her crayons and coming to wrap her arms around me. I hoped she’d never grow out of being this happy to see me.

“Hi, baby!” I said.

Andrew said from the table, “Gramps told me you’re working for a zillionaire. Is that true?”

I smiled at my dad, who winked at me. “Close. Who wants pizza?”

Mom stood up, getting the boxes from Levi. “You didn’t have to get pizza, Farrah. I could have ordered it.”

I held up the champagne. “I wanted to celebrate. The offer was incredible.”

Mom grinned, covering her mouth. “That good? Oh my gosh! But does that mean you’re moving out? I’d miss my grandbabies if you did.”

I chuckled. “Not quite yet. Let me get a few paychecks under my belt first.” I went back to the room Cora and I were sharing and changed into lounge clothes. This outfit was still clean enough that I could return it for another one.

When I came back, the coloring books and crayons were already cleared off the table, and the TV muted. We sat around the table, and Mom led us in a short prayer, all of us holding hands.

When we were done, we dug in. Andrew picked the pepperonis off his pizza, giving them to Levi. Cora ate her pizza from the crust backward. It made me smile every time. What a goober.

“How was your first day on the job, kiddo?” Dad asked, running a napkin over his thick gray mustache. Never mind the fact that I was thirty-four. I’d always be kiddo to him.

“It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m excited to get started. I might actually get a little head start after the kids are in bed.”

Dad nodded, looking impressed. “Great attitude. Get out there and take it by the horns.”

Mom’s face was far too expressive. A lot like mine.

“Yes, Mother?” I asked. She hated it when I called her that, and she gave me an annoyed swat.

“Nothing. I just worry about you having so much on your plate.”

Me too, I didn’t say. But I put my arms around Cora’s shoulders, squeezing her and dropping a kiss atop her head. “I’ll always have time for my babies.”

Levi gave me an annoyed look.

“And my teenagers.”