Page 154 of False Start

“I volunteered to be there on finals day, when the squad was selected. I don’t know. I was bored,” he said instantly, like he knew Kyle would ask why. “Anyway, she just… she’s trouble. One of those girls who learns the rules only so she can figure out how to break them.”

“I like her already,” I mused.

“I have a feelingyoulike her, too,” Kyle added. “Which is why you’re all weird about the event.”

“I’m not weird about it,” Braden defended, standing and tucking his phone away. “I’m going. And I don’t like her. I’m annoyed by her.”

“I think you could use someone to ruffle your feathers a bit,” Kyle said. “Someone to get you off your yoga mat and out causing a ruckus.”

“Did you just sayruckus?” Braden asked.

“Don’t change the subject.”

“There’s nothing more to talk about,” Braden said, and he walked over to clap hands with Kyle before nodding at me. “I gotta run, but please don’t hesitate to call if you want me to getSebastian out of the house or take him for a night or two. He’s always welcome at mine.”

“You’re the best,” I told him. “Thank you for today.”

“Can’t wait to hear about the flag football event,” Kyle added with a grin.

Braden flipped him off, and then he left, and it was just the three of us.

Kyle scooted closer to me on the couch, draping an arm around me. Raven was finished eating, so I removed the nursing cover and put my boob away — much to Kyle’s dismay — before we were both looking down at her like the doting, love-sick parents we were.

“How you doing, Mom?” Kyle asked me, kissing my shoulder.

“Tired,” I answered honestly. “But amazing. You?”

“Same.” He nuzzled into me. “You’re fucking incredible. You know that?”

“I think I’ve heard you say that a few times over the last week,” I mused on a smile.

“Well, it’s true. Watching you give birth…” Kyle shook his head. “I’ll never forget that experience, Mads. I didn’t think it was possible to love you more, butfuck, I was wrong.”

He captured my chin and brought my lips to his, kissing me with the full intent behind those words. I was still melting into that kiss when the security system notified us there was someone at the gate.

I frowned. “Maybe Braden forgot something?”

“He has the code,” Kyle said with a frown of his own. “I’ll go see.”

He hopped up just in time for Sebastian to run down the stairs, hair still wet, a fresh pair of shorts and his favorite dinosaur t-shirt on. He knew now how to put on the movie by himself, and once it started playing, he curled up beside me and Raven on the couch, leaning his head on my arm.

My whole fucking life was complete.

We weren’t even through the beginning bot scene when I heard voices by the front door. Curious, I told Sebastian I’d be right back, and with Raven in my arms, I made my way toward the noise.

When I laid eyes on Lynette Robbins, I froze in my tracks.

She looked so much older than when we were kids. Her hair was gray now, her face lined and weathered. She was wringing her hands together with her eyes cast up nervously at her son, the two of them talking in hushed voices.

She started to cry.

And then, rigidly, Kyle took her into his arms.

I watched another mother break in that moment, clinging to Kyle as she sobbed, and he held onto her as if he still wasn’t sure he should be holding her at all. But there was a tender forgiveness and understanding in that embrace, and when they pulled back, Kyle wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

Then, her eyes found me.

“Oh, Madelyn,” she whispered, her eyes flooding again. And when that gaze dropped to Raven, she covered her mouth with her hands. “Is this her?”