Page 58 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

BERTIE

Daire and Luke—with the help of Cree who was also on their hockey team—load up the small moving truck. I don’t feel as scared as I thought I might, but I suspect that feeling might not have hit me yet.

Sammy runs through the front yard, giggling with a red ball. Every time I look at him it’s hard not to think about my own baby and how soon it’ll be them that I’m watching.

“God, I’m going to miss you so much.” Rosie lays her head on my shoulder. “Daire and I have talked about moving to Nashville. We didn’t decide one way or another so maybe I need to bring it up again.”

I shake my head. “You’re settled here with Sammy and there’s his mom’s family to think about too.”

Sammy’s mom passed in a tragic car accident not too long after Daire first learned about his existence.

“You’re right,” Rosie sighs sadly. “It would just be so fun to be able to get together any time we wanted and have our boys to grow up together.”

Our boys. It’s so strange sounding to hear that, but it’s true. We’re going to be raising our kids at the same time. Neither of us planned it that way, but maybe the universe knew we’d need each other.

A few minutes later, Luke closes the roll-up door on the truck and hops down. “That’s all of it.”

There wasn’t much for either of us, and we wouldn’t have even needed the smallest size moving truck if it weren’t for all the generous gifts for the baby. The guys get to work hooking up the trailer for Luke’s truck—because I begged for him to bring it along, and I’ll drive the minivan to Nashville. We opted to leave my SUV here for now and Rosie and Daire volunteered to bring it up the first time they visit.

I know it won’t be long until we see them, what with their wedding right around the corner, and the fact that I highly doubt Rosie can resist being nosy and checking out our new place, but that doesn’t make this goodbye any easier.

Rosie sniffles beside me like her thoughts have drifted in the same direction.

Once the task of loading the truck onto the trailer is finished, the guy’s exchange hugs and claps on the back.

“Ugh.” Rosie pulls me into her arms. “I hate being so emotional. It’s not even that far, but I’m going to miss you so much.”

I squeeze her back. “I’m going to miss you too.”

She pulls back and gives my elbows a squeeze. “Remember, the minute you start feeling contractions, call me. I’m coming. Got it?”

“I will,” I promise.

She hugs me again and lets go. “Get out of here before I start sobbing and embarrass myself.”

I say goodbye to the guys and hug Sammy before I get behind the wheel of the minivan. I’ve barely started the car when there’s a tap on the windshield. I look over to find Luke. He looks way too good in a simple gray cotton shirt, jeans, and a backwards baseball cap.

“Be careful, okay?”

“I should be saying that to you. You’re the one driving the truck.”

He grins and his eyes crinkle at the corners. I want to reach out and touch those delicate lines, but somehow, I manage to keep my hands to myself.

“I’ll be careful, B.” He pulls something from his pocket and holds it out to me in a closed fist. “For the road.”

I open my palm and he drops the round plastic ball into it. Eagerly, I pop off the lid and reveal the fake tattoo inside. A butterfly with pink and yellow wings.

“I’ll put it on you later,” he says and winks.

He fucking winks at me.

He walks away before I can reply but looks back over his shoulder to find me staring at him open-mouthed.

Shaking my head, I recap the lid and put it in the center console.

The rental truck starts up, and I take that as my cue to back out. I wave to Rosie who holds onto Sammy with Daire’s arm draped around her shoulders. Unshed tears burn my eyes, but I dam them back. There’s no way I can drive if I turn into a weeping, sobbing mess. I take a deep breath and watch the rearview mirror for Luke to pull out behind me.

Change is good, I remind myself.