Page 38 of Pucking Fate (Shot at Love #2)

38

Christian

I only feel a smidge guilty about watching out the window, witnessing Maya, Preston, and their mom’s argument in the front yard while Elle stands by watching uncomfortably. I mean, if they wanted to keep it all private, they should’ve come inside first.

Mostly, I just wanted to make sure Maya was okay. After all, it’s my fault she became estranged from her parents.

It’s a relief seeing them all embrace. That’s the whole reason I think Maya and Preston came for the funeral—not to say goodbye to their father but to try to reunite with their mother.

Returning to my seat on the floor where Finley and I are helping Spider-Man save the dinosaurs from extinction, I tell him, “Your mom and Uncle Preston are back. Are you ready to head back home?”

“I wish I was going home with you,” he says, lip pouting.

“I wish you were too, buddy. But I have to get back to training. I’ll still see you on the phone, though.”

“It’s not the same,” he mutters as his action figure knocks over a triceratops.

“No, it’s not,” I agree.

I had my agent ask the team about releasing me to the Warhawks so I could move to D.C., but it was a lost cause. The Bobcats wouldn’t agree to give up their best player to the team that just whooped their asses in the playoffs.

“Maybe we can grab some lunch together before we leave town,” I offer, hoping Maya won’t object.

After last night, I think I know a few ways to convince her.

And fuck, I wish I could hold her again tonight, along with every other night…

The family makes their way inside, and I give Maya a smile when I see her glistening eyes. She joins us on the floor, pulling Finley into a hug. “You two have fun while we were gone?”

“We did,” I agree. “We’re just a little sad about having to leave soon.”

“Me too,” she replies. “If we leave now, we can make it home before midnight.”

I cringe at the thought of her and Finley driving so late. “You sure you don’t want to go halfway today and the rest of the drive tomorrow?”

“No, we have to get back. I’ve got my meeting tomorrow at the retirement center. I already feel bad for postponing it yesterday.”

“Oh, right. Then I guess we don’t have time to get lunch together?”

Maya shakes her head. “No. Sorry.”

“Let me know when you get home?” I ask her. “No matter how late?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks. I’m thinking about maybe going to see my dad and crashing with him tonight.”

“He lives in Tennessee?” she asks, somehow remembering that from the one time I mentioned it.

“Yeah, near Knoxville.”

“Be safe. Let me know when you get there?” Maya asks with a smile.

“Absolutely. And maybe you two can come with me next time.” Seeing Maya and her mother making amends, I want to do the same for my father once and for all. Oh, and tell him he’s a grandfather.

“Definitely. But for now, Finley, let’s go say goodbye to…Grandma Lawrence.”

“Everything good there?” I ask her.

“As good as it can be,” she replies before she leans over and kisses me on the lips, right in front of our son. “Thank you for coming down here.”

“Anytime, baby,” I tell her, even though having to tell her and Finley goodbye is getting a little harder each time.