Seth: Hey. This is an open invitation. Please do not feel any pressure. Sawyer asked if you’d come over to practice digs with her later, but I already told her you’d likely be too tired. If you decide to come, I can pick up dinner. Just let me know what you’re in the mood for.
Seth: And thank you… again. For everything.
I hesitate, typethe car ride was exactly what I needed, even if I was in pain for most of it, then delete it. I want to talk to her in person. I want to explain why the car ride meant so much. That I don’t have anyone I feel comfortable talking with.
Because Bri feels like keeping.
I set my phone on the coffee table and fall asleep on the couch.
Chapter 23 – Seth
When I finally wake from my nap hours later, I feel disgustingand dehydrated.
My mouth’s dry, my body’s stiff, and the sun’s already dipping lower on the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow across my living room.? I blink, trying to shake off the haze of sleep as I glance toward the sliding glass doors that open to my backyard. And that’s when I notice them.
Bri and Sawyer.
They’re outside in the backyard, a volleyball flying between them as Bri sets each pass perfectly, and Sawyer dives into the grass, digging the hit. Every time she makes contact with the ball, Bri flashes her that bright, encouraging smile, and they both laugh and cheer together like they’re old friends.
Fuck me.
It hits me like a punch to the chest. Seeing Sawyer so damn happy—light and carefree after the mess of this weekend makes my heart ache in the best possible way. And at the same time, there’s something else twisting in my gut. Shame.
Because while I was passed out on the couch, Bri—who barely slept herself last night—came over, pulled on a pair of those sinful shorts that hug her ass like a second skin and a sports bra doing everything right for her curves, and showed up to spend time with my daughter.
Wait a minute.
My brain stutters. I rub my eyes.There's no fucking way.
Her hair is red.
Bright, strawberry red. Long waves of it catching the sunlight, glowing like a halo. I have to grip the edge of the couch to keep from going straight to her. It's the same shade it was the night we met a year ago, and I know she did it for me.
I don’t know how long I sit there watching them through the glass doors, but eventually, I decide it’s torture not hearing her voice and being near her. I push up from the couch, dragging a hand through my messy hair. I know I look a wreck. I’m still in the Mayhem warm-up shorts that I slept in last night and a wrinkled T-shirt with the team’s logo across my chest, but I don’t care. She’s out there, and it feels like there’s a damn magnet in my chest, pulling me toward her. I need to be near her. I need to tell her.
I move to the door, pushing it open with enough force that the sound draws both of their attention.
“Dad!” Sawyer’s eyes light up as she beams at me. “Bri’s been helping me with my hits, and they’re getting so much better!” She bounces on her toes, the energy coursing through her. Thereare mud stains on her knees, and her sleeves are rolled up to her shoulders but she’s glowing with happiness. “She also showed me a couple stretches I can do to loosen up my legs so I can hold the crouched position longer. I think once I build up stamina, coach will keep me in for longer.”
I smile at her without thinking twice. “That’s great, baby.”
My eyes find Bri and I'm pulled under all over again. She's standing there with the volleyball tucked under one arm, the other draped casually over Sawyer's shoulder, face flushed from exertion and still so fucking beautiful it hurts. She smiles at me, her hand going briefly to her new hair before dropping.
“Hey, Seth.”
“When did you get here?” I ask. I don’t hide the way my eyes run down her soft body.
She shrugs. “Just about an hour ago.”
An hour.Damn. Which means she probably came straight here after showering and didn’t get any sleep like I told her to.
“She’s doing great,” Bri adds, squeezing Sawyer’s shoulders gently before releasing her and walking to the other side of the yard, ready to set up another pass for her.
“Did you get any sleep?” I follow her, keeping my voice low.
She waves me off. “I’m fine. I slept some last night.”
We’re far enough away from Sawyer that she can’t hear us now. “Not enough.”
