Page 83 of Crew

She paused.

“There’s something I’ve been thinking about. And I know it’s big. But I want to say it anyway.”

Her eyes met mine and she sat back down. “Okay?”

“What if you and Grady moved to Portland?”

She blinked but didn’t say anything.

“We don’t have to rush it,” I added. “The offseason gives us time to figure everything out. I can help you get settled, and help Grady adjust. But I want this to be permanent. I want him to grow up knowing I’m right here.”

She looked away from me.

“I’m not trying to undo what you’ve built in Harvest Ridge. I know you just got settled again. But if you came here, I could give him something real. A home base. A dad who’s more than a name on a screen or a weekend every fewmonths.”

She didn’t say anything so I went on. “I’ll buy a house. For you and Grady. Something stable. With a yard. A room that’s really his and not my guest room. I’d stay where I am, or get something nearby. I’m not asking you to move in with me. I’m asking you to move here, so he can have both of us in his life.”

Her eyes returned to mine. “You’ve never lived with a kid.”

“I know.”

“It’s not just pancakes and t-ball games.”

“I don’t think it is. I think it’s long days and early mornings and a whole lot of figuring it out. But I want to try. I want to know him. For real. Not just in pieces.”

A long breath passed between us.

“It would be another big change.”

“I know.”

Another pause. Her fingers tapped lightly along her arm.

“I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I’m asking.”

31

Knox

When I finished shaggingballs in the outfield during batting practice, I jogged off the field. It was possible for the Seawolves to clinch our division with a win tonight, and everyone was a little more amped than usual.

As I made my way to the dugout, I was about to toss a ball to the fans, but I spotted Grady and Mallory sitting a couple of sections away in the front row. Grady looked like a diehard fan in his Seawolves jersey and hat, holding onto the glove Crew had bought him.

Grady scanned the field, watching the guys still out there getting ready for the game, including Crew, who was warming up with our starting pitcher.

My boyfriend hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d told Grady he was his father. He’d even teared up a bit when recalling how Grady asked if he could call him daddy.

I was happy for him.

Happy for both of them.

Crew may have missed out on the first four years of Grady’s life,but he was determined to be an involved father. I hadn’t given much thought to whether or not I wanted kids in the future, but knowing Crew was now part of a package deal that included Grady, I was all in. Maybe it was because Grady was a pretty awesome kid, or maybe I just loved Crew that much. Whatever it was, I would do everything in my power to support their new relationship.

Instead of walking down the stairs, I headed toward Grady and Mallory. Mallory noticed me first and smiled.

“Hey, you two. Are you ready for the game?”