Page 48 of Knox

“I know.” I cracked my neck and felt the pressure ease a little. It was nothing I couldn’t handle.

“Are you starving or want to stay up here a while?” He tugged on my T-shirt and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

“I’m starving, but I should probably call Grady first, just in case we end up out late with the team.”

“Call him and then we’ll head down. I’ll text some of the guys and see if they want to join us.”

Nodding, I slid my phone from my pocket and video called Mallory as I took a seat on the couch. Knox got to work unpacking and taking his toiletry bag to the bathroom.

The moment the call connected, the screen lit up with Grady’s face so close I could barely see anything else. “Daddy! Did you see me today?”

“I saw you, bud. I saw you all weekend. You made sure of that.”

He laughed and leaned back just enough so I could see the grin on his face. “Oh right. But Archer kept putting his hat on me and it went over my eyes and I couldn’t see you sometimes.”

“That probably made you laugh though.”

“It did. And Mommy let me get popcorn again. I didn’t drop it this time.”

“That’s good. No more eating off the ground,” I half-scolded.

Grady’s eyebrows furrowed. “But it still woulda been fine.”

I let out a low breath that was almost a laugh. “Ew no. Not on the stadium floor. Only at home.”

Knox came and sat next to me and I angled the phone so we were both on screen. “Hey, G!” he greeted Grady.

“Hi, Knox!” My son beamed. “Did you hear me cheering for you?”

Knox smiled. “Yeah, I sure did. Think all that noise helped me get on base?”

Grady laughed. “Yeah! My throat feels weird now.”

“Bet it does.” Knox chuckled.

“You’re gonna call me tomorrow before your game, right?” Grady asked.

“Yeah. Always,” I assured him.

“Okay. Love you, Daddy. Love you, Knox!”

“Love you too, bud.”

“Love you too, G,” Knox said.

Grady gave us one more huge grin then the screen disconnected. He knew what the red button meant and he sure as shit used it when he was done with the call. I set my celldown on the table and leaned back into the couch, blowing out a breath.

Knox squeezed my knee. “He knows you’re there for him. Doesn’t matter if we’re in another city.”

“Yeah.” I ran my hands over my face. “I still want to be there more.”

“You keep showing up. That’s what counts.”

I nodded then pushed up off the couch. “Come on. I’m starving, and I want you as a nightcap.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Knox smirked as he stood.

We headed down to the restaurant, and it turned out it wasn’t a steakhouse after all. The hotel had some Italian place instead. We found a few of the guys already at a big table in the back. Turner, Ramos, Diaz, Jacobs, and Mejia were scattered around with drinks and menus, talking over each other.