Page 58 of Challenge Me

“Where are you staying?” I asked.

Her blue eyes flicked to me, then toward the field. “A hotel down the road from Amir’s rental. Mal will want to be at his door bright and early. Although . . .” Her lips thinned for a moment before she smoothed her expression, polishing it up so quickly that it was plain to see she was an expert at appearances. “We’ll probably go straight to the field so that we won’t be a bother.”

Because of me. That part was clear as day, even if she was graceful about it.

“If his family was going to be a bother to me, I’d have no right being in his life,” I said. For the first time, I saw a flicker of surprise cross her face. Deciding to latch onto the crack in her defenses, I went on. “Actually, you two might as well take the second room for the night. That way, they can see each other as soon as they wake up.”

“Oh, that’s a very kind offer, but it’s unnecessary.”

“I disagree. There’s no point wasting money on a hotel. Besides, a parent’s bond with their child is the most important thing in this world, if you ask me. Life’s fleeting. You have to squeeze out every last bit of it before it’s gone.”

“Are we still talking about a room?” Roman asked.

I kicked his ankle but waited patiently for Avery to answer. I knew very well that I’d dug myself a grave fit for Fenrir himself, but I’d adapted to roll with the punches.

“Alright.” Avery nodded slowly. “Mal would prefer it, I’m sure.”

“Yes,” she replied without looking away from the field where her dad was parked on second base, waiting for his chance to take off for the next one.

I smiled while my stomach went haywire. “It’s settled, then.”

Avery’s demeanor softened, but before I could get too comfortable, her eyes went to the drawing and her lips parted. After a second, they turned down in a frown.

“I might put it on the fridge,” I said quickly. From the look on her face, I worried things were about to devolve again, and just after I’d made some headway.

“You don’t need to pretend. It’s better if Amir doesn’t see it anyway.”

Her response made me want to rush to the girl’s defense. “I’m very sure that he’s proud of everything she makes.”

She gave me a look that told me I was a bit of a dunce. Her finger touched the letters briefly. “It’s gold.”

I stared at the picture, trying to see it with new eyes. The upside-down flag, which wasn’t a flag at all. The mound. And Au. I was never very good at science, so I’d cheated my way through my gen ed courses and never looked back. The jab would’ve gone right over my head all because I was business-minded.

“Ah,” I said as realization came over me. “That’s kind of funny.”

“I’m sorry. Everything is new and . . . different.”

“Seriously, it’s clever.” Getting to my feet, I folded the picture and stuffed it into my pocket. “Can I grab you something? Ice cream? Hot dog? A beer?”

“Popcorn, if you don’t mind. Thank you, Remi.”

I dipped my head, then looked at Roman. “I need your hands. Don’t worry, I’ll get you a treat on me.”

“On you, huh?” He stood and followed me out of the row.

Once we were in a concession line, I let out a groan. “What the hell have I done?”

“I think you’re doing alright.”

“Mal called me a gold digger. A gold digger, bro.”

“I thought you couldn’t be offended.”

“This is my boyfriend’s kid. She’s supposed to like me.”

“But he’s not your boyfriend.”

“Well, for all intents and purposes, blah, blah, blah.” I crossed my arms and dug my fingers into my sides. “Ah, fuck me. He’ll probably call everything off as soon as the game’s over.”