Page 63 of Shattered Dreams

“That’s me,” Andre responds as Sean offers his hand.

“You know, I have to be honest. I didn’t think Amelia was telling the truth when she said she knew Andre Taylor.”

He lets out a practiced laugh that I bet he does every time someone recognizes him.

“The one and only,” he says.

“I’m a huge Cougars fan. Was sad to see you go. Sorry about your wife.”

“Thanks, man. That means a lot. I still talk to some of the players. Maybe I can get you a jersey or something.”

“Seriously?” His face lights up.

“Yeah, of course.”

“Thank you. That’s awesome.”

Sean has a giddy smile on his face for the next ten minutes.

I shift my weight as I cross my arms, and Amelia gives me some side-eye that looks amused as hell.

“What?” I mutter under my breath.

“Nothing,” she says innocently, but I can tell by the look in her eye, she’s holding back. Not in a bad way.

“Just say it,” I huff out in annoyance, because she and I both know her not saying what’s on her mind will drive me crazy all fucking day because I’ll just overthink everything.

“I just think it’s cute. You being all nervous.”

I narrow my gaze at her. “I’m not nervous.”

“Uh-huh,” she says, just as I hear Rylee squeal again, and I turn to see her and Maddox running up to the Taylors. Mrs. Taylor hugs her, then Maddox, and my heart warms as I take in the sight of everything.

The kids’ smiles. Sean and Andre deep in conversation about football. Amelia’s smug ass grin.

I shake off the nerves as Maddox runs up to Sean, who leads us all in through the gate. Amelia brushes past me to catch up with her boyfriend, our son, and Rylee and her grandparents, leaving Dre and I to the back. I slide my hands into my jean pockets as I saunter closer to him, as close as I dare get. Our shoulders brush lightly as we amble down the dirt hill towards the pickup spot. I see the next truck a few feet away, heading towards us. By the time it arrives, the kids are screaming with excitement. Sean helps Amelia and Maddox into the truck before he gets in and offers to help Mrs. Taylor, but she waves him off. Andre picks up Rylee and climbs in, and I make my way up when I realize I have no clue where to sit. A couple of other guests start piling in and I know I need to decide quickly. Mrs. Taylor nonchalantly scoots over towards her husband, her knowing gaze catching mine, and I realize what she’s doing. Amelia catches my gaze and nods, that knowing smirk on her face strangely comforting in a way I don’t expect.

I carefully settle next to Dre, Rylee on his lap, kicking her boots in excitement, and he simply eases into my space. It’s not weird or anything, considering we’re all sort of packing in here like sardines anyway, but the briefest brush of his shoulder, of his arm against mine, settles something in me and I relax a little.

“Can we get a pumpkin too, Daddy?” Rylee asks, her voice full of awe.

“Of course, pumpkin,” he says, wrapping his arms tightly around her as the truck takes off. It startles a few of us because it isn’t smooth. Rylee lets out a little yelp and reaches for my arm that’s resting on my lap. It’s just a reaction, but she leaves it there, so I hold her hand. My heart nearly explodes.

When we get down to the drop-off, it’s absolute chaos, like usual, but it’s also strangely relaxing, watching the kids explore the grounds. Amelia corrals the kids and poses them for photos, which Rylee loves. She eats it up with every click, posing like a little Hollywood star; over dramatically and cute as hell.

“She’s something else,” I chuckle.

Maddox makes a silly face, and they both stick their tongues out, and everyone laughs.

“She is,” Dre says, his voice soft. “So much like her mother.”

I nudge his shoulder, pulling his gaze. I find his bright eyes with mine, giving him a knowing grin of my own.

“She’s a lot like you, too, you know,” I say, noting the faintest blush in his cheeks. “Feisty and confident.”

“Thanks,” he says, and then I hear Amelia.

“Paul! Andre!”