Page 25 of Knox

Archer chased down the ball, laughing.

“You’re gonna wear him out before dinner,” Knox called out.

I leaned forward a little. “He’s getting good.”

Knox adjusted the camera back to Grady. “Yeah. Archer’s been working with him a lot.”

“We all have too,” I reminded him.

“Yeah, and it’s showing,” he agreed.

Archer tossed another pitch. Grady missed it, but Archer gave him a high five anyway, and it stung to watch my guys without me, but I told myself it was okay because I loved seeing Knox with Grady. Knox was my person and that meant putting him first, even when it hurt. Even when it meant being on the phone and watching someone else catch for my son. If Knox was smiling, if Grady was laughing, then I could live with the bruise.

“Well, can I talk to him for a bit before I need to shower and go to bed?”

“Yes, of course. Grady, Daddy’s on the phone!”

Grady ran over, breathless, cheeks flushed. He leaned into the frame, eyes lighting up when he saw me. “Hi, Daddy!”

“Hey, bud. You crushed that ball.”

He beamed. “Did you see it go all the way past the grass?”

“I did. Looked like a double to me.”

He giggled and leaned his head against Knox’s arm. “Archie said if I hit three in a row tomorrow, I get hot cocoa.”

“High stakes.” I smiled. “Think you’re up for it?”

“Yeah, I’m the best like you.” He grinned, then turned away to shout something at Archer. Knox adjusted the camera again, but I didn’t see either of them. Just Grady, swinging the bat in the air like he didn’t want the game to be over.

“You doing okay?” Knox asked me.

“Yeah. Just tired.”

He nodded. “He misses you.”

“I know. I miss him too.”

The words stuck more than I expected. I cleared my throat and looked away from the screen for a second. When I looked back, Grady was still playing, and Knox was still holding the phone.

“I should let you go,” I said.

“You sure?”

No.“Yeah. I need to shower.”

Knox didn’t respond right away. He just watched me for a second, then nodded. “I’ll call you later.”

“Okay.”

He shouted for Grady to say goodbye.

“Bye, Daddy! I love you!”

“Love you too, G.”

The screen went black.