IlikeBri.
IwantBri.
I think I’m inlovewith Bri.
I’ve been married before. I know what love feels like. This feels different.
Sawyer’s still asleep when I park in our driveway, so I carry her inside, cradling her small frame in my arms. She’s gotten taller, her legs are dangling more than they used to, but she’s still my baby. The one who needs me to be focused on my career and her and not yet another woman who’s bound to enter and leave our lives just as quickly. Because that’s what Bri will do to us, right?
I know I’m wrong about her. I know I’m wrong this time.
I gently lower her onto the couch, but as soon as her head hits the cushion, her eyes blink open, sleepy and full of worry.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” she murmurs, her voice small.
I crouch down beside her, brushing her hair back from her face. “Why are you apologizing, Spirit?”
Her bottom lip wobbles as she bites down on it, her gaze flicking away. “Because I know you had your game last night, and you’re probably so tired. And you drove all the way to Boston just to get me when I should’ve just… gotten on the flight home.”
I cup her cheek, forcing her to look at me. “Sawyer, you never have to be sorry for asking me to come get you.” My voice is steady. I need her to feel every word. “I’ll do anything for you. You need me? You let me know. I’ll be there, and I won’t think twice. Always. Someday you’re going to be...” I swallow trying to picture it and hating every moment. “...attending parties where stuff’s going to happen that I won’t like.”
She wrinkles her nose as if she has no idea what I’m talking about.
I smile and squeeze her hand. “I hope that I’ll be the first person you think of to call to bail you out. I’ll come. No matter the time. No questions asked or apologies necessary.”
She nods like she gets it. She might not now, but she will someday. Her arms reach up to wrap around my neck. I hold her tight, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, and in that moment, I know that no matter how messy I am, no matter how much I’ve screwed up in the past, I’ll never stop showing up for her and trying so fucking hard to be exactly what she needs.
“I’m pretty tired but I need to practice my hits. I’m going to go take a shower then head outside to hit the ball around for a bit. Is that okay?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah, of course. You hungry?”
She shakes her head, already halfway to the stairs. “No, but…” She pauses, glancing back at me with a hopeful look that tugs at my heart. “Do you think Bri would want to come over and practice my digs later?”
What Bri really needs is sleep—a lot of it—but she did offer, and she made it clear she’d do whatever Sawyer wanted. I don’t want to take advantage of her generosity, but I’d like to see her too.
“How about we invite her over for dinner instead? But she might be too tired, Spirit. I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”Or mine.
Sawyer smiles. “Okay.”
She turns and heads upstairs, her tired feet barely making a sound as she disappears down the hallway. I sigh, collapsing onto the couch, my body sinking into the cushions under the weight of the last twenty-four hours. My hamstring’s still tight and needs a good soak in the tub plus a stretch, but I’m too exhausted to move.
I pull out my phone to text Bri and notice a message from my brother.
Levi: How was Boston? Is Sawyer okay?
I text him back.
Seth: It was fine. She’s good. We just got back to Brookhaven.
Levi: Glad she’s doing well. And how was spending all that time with Bri?
Seth: Fine.
Levi: Bye. Going to go text her since you’re giving me nothing.
My fists clench with annoyance. Of course, my brother would have gotten Bri’s phone number after spending only a few hours with her.
I don’t reply to him and tab over to Bri’s message instead.
