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Maven blinks. Her mouth pops open, and she scoots a few inches closer to me. “You do all of that?”
“Yeah.” I run my fingers through June’s hair and try to work out some of the knots from her bedhead. “I haven’t told you much about my family, have I?”
“No. Is there any bad history there? I thought you and your sister got along well.”
“We do, and there’s lots of love. My parents worked hard and made ends meet when I was growing up. We never missed a meal, and we always had warm clothes when the weather turned cold. When it came time for the holidays, though, they weren’t able to spend the money on the newest toys or stock the living room full of gifts. I got made fun of at school because I didn’t have the video game consoles or new sneakers everyone else had. I told myself that if I made it to the NFL, I’d not only provide for my family, if I had one, but for other families, too. I think it’s easy to get swept up in the luxury of having all thismoney, but what good is it if you don’t spend it to help other people, too?”
She rests her chin on my shoulder and blinks up at me. Her fingers touch the line of my jaw, and I sigh. “You are the most extraordinary man I’ve ever met. I wish I could go with you.”
“Next year.” I squeeze her thigh, a promise of what’s to come. “You’ll come with us next year.”
“Smoochy kiss!” June says, interrupting us, and Maven’s cheeks turn pink.
“Sorry, JB. Your dad and I?—”
“Maybe we should,” I say quietly, and she frowns.
“I thought we were keeping this a secret. Kissing in front of her defeats the purpose of that,” Maven says.
“It does. And I’m not saying we should make out in front of her or anything like that, but it would be nice to hold your hand when we’re watching a movie. To have both of you in my arms where you belong.”
“Oh.” Maven bites her bottom lip and nods. “I’d like that.”
“June.” I spin her in my lap so she’s facing both of us. “You know how Mae Mae spends a lot of time with you?”
“She’s my best friend.”
“Would it be okay if she spent lots of time with me too?”
“Is she your best friend, Daddy?”
“Yes.” My eyes meet Maven’s. “She’s my best friend in the entire world. I like her very much, and she’s very special to me.”
“More than Uncle Mav and Uncle Reid?”
“In a different way.”
June taps her cheek, deep in thought. “Okay, Daddy. We can share.”
“And maybe I can kiss her?” I ask.
“Smoochy kisses only,” June says, and she claps her hand. “Kiss, Mae Mae.”
“Feels like there’s a lot of pressure with an audience here,” Maven jokes, and my hand rests on the back of her head.
“Better not mess up, sunshine.” I smile and press my lips to hers. I taste her toothpaste, and I hum when she melts into me. “Ten out of ten.”
“I think you deserve a gold star,” she murmurs.
I keep it short, just long enough so it doesn’t make June uncomfortable or encourage her to ask questions. When I pull away, Maven’s eyes twinkle.
“Merry Christmas, Dallas,” she whispers, and she tugs on my necklace.
“Merry Christmas, Mae. Best I’ve ever had.”
“A new bike?”June tears off the wrapping paper of her last gift. A bow goes flying, and the living room floor is an absolute disaster. “It’s pink!”
“Your favorite color. Look at this.” I lean over her and squeeze the horn. She giggles and tries for herself. “People will hear you coming for miles.”
