Page 68 of Game On

Blaise kicked my foot. “Bro, do you want to date this chick or not?”

“I do,” I admitted.

“Then date her and stop moping about how you can’t or you’re too busy. You can make it work.”

He took a bite of his cheesesteak and shrugged, ending the conversation.

I ate the rest of my lunch in silence, mulling over his words. I wanted Blaise to be right, but I still wasn’t convinced. It wasn’t like Lily was looking for anything more, either. She had been firm that she only had time for something casual.

Blaise talked my ear off about the baby and his fears about not being a good father. I gave him the ear he needed and assured him he was going to be fine.

We parted ways, and I headed back to my condo to take my pregame nap. I smiled when I walked inside and saw Mari sitting on the floor with Liam and Rosie while they played beside each other. Rosie was playing with blocks while Liam drove his firetruck around Mari.

“Uncle Logan!” Liam cheered and jumped up when he saw me.

I tousled his hair. “Hey, bud! Have you been good for Mari today?”

“No,” he said honestly.

Mari laughed. “He’s very energetic today. They both are. It’s time for a nap.”

“No!” Rosie said indignantly. “No. No. No.”

“Yes, little troublemaker,” Mari told her niece. She picked Rosie up and took her into the bedroom.

I listened to Liam talk my ear off as I plopped him down on the couch.

“Uncle Logan?” he asked, his big eyes looking up at me in wonder.

“Yeah, bud?”

“I like Lily.”

“I like her too.”

“Can she be my new mommy?”

Oh boy. I let out a breath as I thought of the best way to explain it to him.

“Liam, your mommy’s always gonna be your mommy.” I put my hand to his heart. “She loved you very much, and she’ll always be in your heart, okay? She might be gone, but I’m always gonna be here for you.”

He rubbed his eyes. He was growing out of nap time, but he still was getting sleepy around now. “I miss her.”

“Me too.”

“But I don’t miss Daddy. He was mean and made Mommy cry.”

I cringed. I never knew how much Liam saw. It took me a long time to figure out my sister was in a bad way. I’d regret that for the rest of my life.

Mari walked out of the bedroom, and we shared an uneasy look.

I kissed Liam’s forehead. “I know, bud. I have to go take my nap. When I wake up, you can help me pick out my tie for the game.”

“Can I come?”

“To take a nap with me?”

“Game!”