Page 65 of Shattered Dreams

Dre’s gaze meets mine, and he doesn’t argue, and I think that itself means more than anything else. I watch as he takes a seat at the dining table, across from Maddox, next to Sean, watch as they start getting into some heated debate about which teams they think will make the playoffs this season. Mr. Taylor chimes in and Mrs. Taylor and Amelia laugh about something, and I can’t help but feel the tears pooling in my eyes because this…

This is something I never thought I’d have.

“Are you sad?” Rylee’s tired voice whispers.

I glance at her, noting she’s staring at me intently.

“No,” I say, clearing my throat and trying to push the sudden emotion aside. “Just tired.”

She yawns. “Me too.”

“You can go to sleep, if you want. I’ll wake you up when we get home.”

“Sometimes I get sad,” she says softly. “Are you sad because your Mommy isn’t here?”

“What?” the word just comes out of my mouth.

“Maddox has a mommy. Daddy does too. But you don’t. I don’t either.” Her words are so soft, I swear she’s got to be half asleep. “It’s okay to be sad about it.”

I rub her back, really trying to fight the tears now. “Yeah, of course it’s okay to be sad.”

She wraps one tiny arm around my neck and lets out an incomprehensible sound, but a moment later, I feel her soft breathing, and I know she’s asleep. I’m not even sure that conversation was real, but I feel the emotion in my throat making it difficult to swallow. We leave after Maddox gets his gifts—a new bike from Amelia and I, a skateboard from Dre, and some clothes from the Taylors. My arms are starting to go numb, but I keep my hold on Rylee as Dre heads out to start the car up, his parents already taking off from their spot behind us.

“This was really nice,” Amelia says, coming to stand beside me.

“It was,” I agree, looking back at her. That smug smile is gone, and in its place is something softer.

“We should do it again. Maybe you guys could come for the holidays, too. If you want, I mean.”

She smiles up at Rylee, who is softly snoring in my ear.

“I’d like that,” I tell her, and it’s the truth.

Maddox is already playing with his skateboard, trying to figure it out, and I make my way over to him, tell him how proud I am of him and then I tell him that the next time he sees Dre we can learn the skateboard. I don’t know if he’ll actually listen, but I have to try.

It’s nearing eight by the time we get home, get Rylee in bed, and get showered and in bed ourselves.

My head hits the pillow and I swear I could pass out right now. I hear the chime of a phone, and Dre gets in bed beside me.

I hear a soft, contented sound escape his throat.

“What?” I mutter, sleep creeping in.

“Mom just sent the photos from today,” he says, and I can hear the warmth in his voice. I shift closer to him, and it isn’t long until he’s doing the same, backing his ass into me and filling the space with his solid frame and warmth.

“I had the best time today,” he whispers.

“Me too,” I mutter as I pull him closer and succumb to exhaustion with the biggest smile on my face. “Can’t wait to do it again next year,” I whisper as I drift into the darkness.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Andre

I don’t know what it is about the holidays, but they always fly by. After Maddox’s birthday was Halloween. The kids enjoyed the night and got way too much candy, as they usually do. Now it’s already Thanksgiving. Work’s been busy between the day to day and coaching, especially now that we have games every week.

Originally, we were all going to go to Amelia’s for dinner today, but I insisted that I host everyone here at the house. Not only is there more room, but it’s fair to take turns doing things. Her and Paul took care of Maddox’s birthday, which of course they would, but Amelia and Sean also threw a Halloween party. It’s only fair that I help too, since they invite us to everything.

Which I absolutely love, not only for myself but for Rylee too.