Page 47

Jack

C hristmas comes fast on the heels of the state championship game and all the fallout at the celebration event.

Our engagement was almost completely overshadowed by what happened with Levi and Sadie and his dad, although, to be fair, we were already old news.

I soon discovered everyone was waiting for me to pop the question and wondering why I was taking so long. I have to wonder the same thing every day now, especially with Allie slowly moving into our house.

On the nights when she joins us at bedtime, Kimmie requests Allie’s favorite children’s book The Eevil Weevil by Stephen Cosgrove. Allie has voices for all the parts, which delights my daughter to no end.

“Weevil,” Allie reads in a bossy little-bug voice, and Kimmie jumps in to say the next part with her. “Why are you so evil ?”

Then they laugh and hug, and damn, it’s so fucking perfect. I never knew how much I wanted my daughter to have a mom in her life until now, and Allie is so good at it.

Austin sleeps at Allie’s house, although the two of them stay over for Christmas Eve night. We huddle around the tree drinking spiced cider—or spiked eggnog for the adults—and watch old Christmas movies until Kimmie falls asleep on Austin, and I start to doze.

The next morning, when we exchange gifts, as I expected, Allie bursts into tears when her son unveils the bookcase he spent all semester making for her.

“You did this all by yourself?” Her teary voice cracks as she traces trembling fingers over the delicate stencils. “It’s beautiful!”

Austin smiles as if he’s embarrassed, and my chest tightens. Even if I know they’re happy tears, it still twists my stomach to see Allie cry.

Austin wasn’t as upset as I thought he’d be about the situation with Levi and Sadie. He was disappointed. He saw his mother’s point about using protection. But he seemed to be as angry with his friend as he was with his supposed girlfriend.

I met him cleaning out his locker and took a minute to check on him.

“She said she loved me, but she was horny.” He frowned, and I could hear the anger in his tone. “I just can’t believe Levi did me like that. He could’ve told me instead of making me look like a dumbass… Sorry, Coach.”

“It’s okay.” I sat on the bench beside him, resting my forearms on my thighs to mirror his posture.

I thought about what my dad said to me all those years ago, when I didn’t understand how his friend could betray him.

“Sometimes in life we trust the wrong people. Sometimes our friends let us down. The best thing you can do is dust yourself off, accept it was their choice, and move on. In the end it’s their loss, not yours. ”

His lips pressed into a frown, and I didn’t know if I helped much.

I pulled him in for a side-hug, reminding him of the truth. “You’ve got a big life ahead of you. Try and focus on that and let these little distractions go.”

Football season is so intense, when it ends, it’s like the start of summer vacation. Only, it’s December, and we have five months left in the school year.

They pass quickly with the number of seniors we have this year. I spend the semester helping them meet with college scouts, giving them advice, talking to nervous parents.

Austin is heavily recruited, but he ultimately stays with his original decision to go to Tennessee. Allie is happy, and she even starts investigating places to stay when we go for visits.

The passing weeks also bring us closer to our wedding date in June. Having her here is so right, so seamless, I honestly don’t want to wait, but I know she’s savoring these final days with her son.

Her bookcase is in my bedroom now, and she has it filled with her favorite spicy romance novels.

Their colorful spines light up my otherwise brown-and-navy space.

Occasionally, she reads aloud to me, which usually ends in us trying out the positions—when we’re sure Kimmie’s asleep and the door is locked.

Wife

How is it already May? I blame Clint and all this additional wedding planning. He’s distracting me.

Are you getting cold feet?

Wife

No! Austin’s at the table going through his graduation packet, and I’m doing my best not to cry.

I know how to make you smile

Wife

Don’t tempt me.

Exhaling a chuckle, I lean back in my bed, studying her face on my phone.

Allie is perfect for me.

I’d given up on finding someone who would want the same things as I do, but she’s not only curious, she’s eager to try new things. It somehow makes me more protective of her. She’s so precious to me. I want to give her everything. I never want her to be sad.

I’ll plan something special for our honeymoon and when we drop him off at college.

Wife

Don’t even say it! I can’t think about that day.

He’s going to have the best time.

Wife

I know. I’m just going to miss him so much.

We’ll go to see him every weekend.

Wife

He’d hate that! But I love that you suggested it. You take such good care of me.

I love you.

Wife

I love you more.

I’m ready to have you home permanently.

Wife

Soon. I wish Austin was going to prom I don’t want to be mad at Sadie, but I am. She kind of broke his heart.

Only a little bit. I’ll talk to him.

Wife

You’re the best dad.

Warmth spreads through my chest, and I remember our conversation all those months ago in the garage.

It gives me an idea.