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“You eat your Popsicle while I run and take a shower. Then we can snuggle, okay?” She bobs her head up and down when he’s finished speaking. Leaning in, he kisses her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
Standing from the couch, he walks toward me. “Hey, baby.” He kisses the corner of my mouth. “Let me grab a shower and you can take a break.” He gives me another quick kiss before he rushes out the door to get his bag.
I don’t bother to correct him that I don’t need a break. Paisley has slept most of the day, but the fact he wants to means something. It means everything. When he’s here with us, he’s not Easton Monroe, the baseball player. He’s our East. He’s the man who we both adore.
While Easton takes a shower, I grab a couple of paper towels. One I wet, the other I leave dry, and head back to the living room. “Use this for your hands.” I hand Paisley the wet paper towel.” Her lips and tongue are red from the cherry Popsicle. Her hands too.
I’m just taking a seat in the chair when Easton comes back into the room. His hair is still wet from his shower, and he’s wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. He walks to the couch and sits down, pulling P’s legs into his lap.
“Is it yummy?” he asks.
She nods.
“Good game,” I say, pulling his attention away from Paisley.
“Thanks. I was distracted and played like sh-crap, but thanks.”
My lips twitch. “I didn’t notice.”
“I mean, it wasn’t my worst game, but my mind was here, you know?”
“Sorry about that. I didn’t want you to worry when we didn’t show up, but it sounds like you worried regardless.”
“Of course I did.” He almost sounds offended. “You two are what matters, Larissa.”
“All done,” Paisley croaks.
I hop out of my seat, and help her clean up with the wet towel, then wipe her face and hands with the dry one. I feel her forehead and she’s warm. “It’s time for more medicine. I’ll be right back.”
“It’s yucky,” I hear her rasp out to Easton as I leave the room.
When I make it back to the living room, Paisley is curled up on Easton’s lap with a blanket thrown over both of them. “Open up,” I say, holding the medicine spoon out for her. She takes it and makes her usual face, letting me know she’s not happy about it.
“Now, we watch a movie,” Easton says, wrapping his arms around her and snuggling her close.
“Can we watch Cinderella?”
“Sure we can, sweet girl. Whatever you want.”
I want to scold him for spoiling her, but she’s sick, and honestly, even if she wasn’t, I’m sure I would bite my tongue. He’s so good with her, so much so my heart aches. She’s never had this, a male role model, and she’s soaking up time with him like a sponge. I still have the worry in the back of my mind, but seeing her with him, and him with her, no way can I deny them this.
I sift through the DVDs and find Cinderella, putting it in the DVD player and grabbing the remote.
“Come here, baby.” Easton pats the cushion next to him where he still sits with Paisley on his lap. I go willingly and curl up into his side. I feel his lips press against the top of my head and bite back my smile. This, in this moment, I couldn’t ask for more. Well, maybe for P to feel better, but the three of us like this… it’s everything.“Hey, man, we’re all going out to breakfast. You in?” Fisher asks.
“Nah, thanks though.”
“You’re all domesticated and shit. Can’t hang out with your boys?”
“Not today. Larissa’s exhausted. She’s picked up three extra shifts this week because one of her coworkers has been sick. Paisley had two games, from catching up with rain dates a couple of weeks ago, which means all five nights this week she or her mom has had to get her to a game or practice. I was out of town and couldn’t help, so I’m going over there to see what I can do.”
“She does it all on her own?” Carr asks, joining the conversation.
“Yeah, I mean her mom helps, but other than that, it’s all Larissa.”
“Where’s the dad?” Fisher asks.
“Killed in the line of duty.”
“Fuck,” Drew mumbles under his breath.
“Yeah, she won’t ask for help, but she’s getting it.”
“Let us know if we can help.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll catch you guys later.” I grab my bag and head out to my truck. We were on the road this week for a seven-day stretch. This morning was a short team meeting and workout, and we’re off until our game on Sunday. It doesn’t take long to reach her place. When I walk up to the front door, I hear Paisley crying and Larissa telling her to go to her room. Quickly, I knock on the door, and it swings open a few minutes later to a frazzled Larissa.
