Page 47 of Leading Conviction

She tugged and straightened her T-shirt despite the fact nothing was out of place. He cleared his throat before they both turned toward Tommy.

The boy punched one hand into his mitt absentmindedly and his lips pursed, as if he was trying to figure out what was between them.

You and me both, mijo.

Hannah laughed awkwardly and took a careful step away from Hawk, providing much-needed distance if she was going to think straight. Hawk tugged his glove off and stashed it underneath his armpit before tossing his worn baseball to Tommy.

Tommy caught it with ease, but his eyes widened as Hawk spoke.

“Hey, little man, thanks for the game. It felt good to talk.”

Her son nodded and Hannah swallowed back the lump of emotion in her throat at the sight of the small, proud smile curved on his face. “Yeah, thanks, Hawk.”

“I hear you’ve already had dinner,avecito, so it’s time to settle down for the night and get ready for bed. It might feel early but it’s been a long day.”

“Ugh, Mom, there’s still light outside. I’m not even tired.”

“I know, but we’re in a different time zone here. To make sure you get back on a good schedule we need to go to sleep at the bedtime that fits here or we’ll get tired too early tomorrow.”

Tommy sighed. “Fine. Can I have some TV time before, though?”

She chuckled and ruffled his fine blond hair. “Okay, but onlyoneshow. I’m going to talk to Hawk for a minute and by the time I get down there, you better be in bed.”

As soon as the words left her lips, Tommy’s blue eyes lit up, and he did a subtle fist pump, no doubt at the prospect she’d take too much time and he’d get to watch more than one show.

“Awesome!” He pushed off his back foot and sped past her before confirming her suspicion. “Talk as long as you want!”

“Wait, Tommy!” But he’d already flown through the door. She huffed a laugh and threw up her hands. “Well, I guess he knows his way around.”

Hawk chuckled. “The kid has a way with direction already. Like his old man.”

Hannah tried to hide her wince, but it was useless. He always saw right through her.

“Hey, you okay?” His large hands rested on both of her shoulders, keeping her straight so she had to meet the concern on his face head-on.

“Yeah, I’m okay. I just… is it weird for you?”

“Is… what weird for me?” Hawk asked, a frown on his face.

“This.” She pointed between them and tilted her head toward the door. “You, me… Tommy.”

Hawk shook his head. “Not weird at all. It feels good to have you both here with me.”

She nodded, still unconvinced, but she didn’t want to dig into it right then.

“I saw you throwing around with him. Did he… did he say anything?”

Hawk lifted his shoulder with nonchalance, but she could’ve sworn a sly smile ghosted across his lips before it disappeared.

“Nothing out of the ordinary. We talked about his dad a little bit. Eagle would’ve loved the little man. I wish they’d been able to get to know each other.”

“Me too,” she answered quietly, pushing past the ache in her chest. “I don’t regret Tommy, but I do regret not being able to get in touch with Thomas… or you. I tried, you know. I tried to get in touch with you both, but I had no way of finding you. Once you guys left, it was like you disappeared—”

He winced. “I know, Hannah, I’m sorry. We were supposed to be dead to the world.”

“At one point, I thought you were,” she whispered.

“Shit.” He shook his head before meeting her eyes again. “Hannah, I—”