Page 130 of Only With Me

“Are you good at that one?” I ask him, playfully narrowing my eyes at him.

“I’ve only played a handful of times back in high school, so we’ll be on equal playin’ ground.”

“Alright, it’s on.”

Mom puts a pizza in the oven while Dad and I set up the game board. We put him in charge of the money and then I organize the cards. Waylon reading over the instructions has me giggling.

“What? I wanna make sure when I beat you, it’s fair and square.”

“Very funny,” I mock. “Hope you’re ready to embarrass yourself in front of my parents when I win.”

My dad turns and looks at Waylon. “Now you know why welether win.”

Three hours and landing on Waylon’s multiple houses and hotels later, I finally surrender when I go bankrupt.

“What was that about me being embarrassed?” He cups his ear as if he’s waiting for me to admit I was wrong.

“Ya know, it’s not very gentlemanly togloat.”

He smirks, helping my mom clean up the table.

“If you want, I canteachyou how to better strategize so you don’t lose all your money before you’re able to make investments.” The way he emphasizes that word as a subtle hint has me squeezing my legs.

Well played, cowboy.

At seven, Dad’s ready for bed and Mom has an early shift in the morning, so she calls it a night too.

“It was nice of you to stay,” Dad tells Waylon, and my heart beats with happiness. Even though Dad’s day started out rough, I think having company and staying distracted helped him manage his pain.

“It was my pleasure, sir. Thank you for havin’ me.”

Dad’s chair maneuvers around the table until he’s next to me. “I like him.”

I can’t help grinning as I look at Waylon out of the corner of my eyes. “Yeah, I like him too.”

“Now don’t scare him off with your overcompetitiveness.”

I roll my eyes. “Who’s fault is that now?”

Dad shrugs, chuckling. “He’s good for you. Doesn’t let you win out of pity.”

He’s not even trying to speak quietly, so I know Waylon hears him but it fills me with pride to get his approval.

“Love you, Daddy.” I lean in and kiss his cheek, then he heads toward his room.

Mom says goodnight next and thanks Waylon for spending time with them.

“Thank you for dinner,” Waylon says.

Mom blushes, waving him off. “Oh, it was nothin’.”

She comes around and hugs me, then leans into my ear. “Have fun. Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t, love you.”

Once she’s out of view, I walk over to Waylon and sit on his lap, then press my lips to his.

“It meant a lot that you stayed and hung out with us.”