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“I … I should get dressed,” Tillie stuttered.
“You don’t need to. Not on my account.” I smirked, and Tillie’s cheeks turned the adorable shade of pink I’d missed.
“Cody …”
“Hurry up, Mom! The pizza’s getting cold,” River interrupted, and I chuckled.
She looked at me again. “Give me a minute,” she asked before disappearing out of sight, leaving me gawking at her retreating thighs like a creepy stalker.
While Tillie got dressed, River peppered me with more questions. He was a smart kid, I had to give him that.
“Which team do you like playing the most?” he asked as he took a huge bite of pizza, tomato sauce dripping on his chin.
“The Blue Jays,” I answered quickly, ripping a chunk from a garlic knot and popping it in my mouth.
“Why them?”
“Because one of my best buddies plays for them. When we play them, I get to catch up with him,” I explained.
“Who?”
“Jett McAllister.”
“He’s really good,” River commented, and Tillie reappeared.
She wore a pair of black leggings that clung to her curves like a second skin, an oversized sweatshirt, and her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.
“This smells so good,” she announced, coming into the room and sitting on the floor on the opposite side of the coffee table.
She was so close yet still too far. It sucked, but with River right here, I had to keep my mouth shut.
We enjoyed dinner family-style, talking about our day, and River rattling off stats that even I didn’t know I held. After Tillie had cleaned the mess away, River yawned.
“How’s the head?” I asked.
The bruising around his eye had darkened, but I knew it wouldn’t worry him. He’d wear it like a badge of honor. Hell, even today, if I stole second base and had a shiner to prove it, you could bet your ass I’d make sure there were enough paparazzi photos to capture it in all its glory.
River shrugged like nothing had happened. “It’s okay.”
“Do you have a headache?” Tillie asked.
Watching her in ‘mom-mode’ was fascinating and surprisingly something I found incredibly sexy. There was something seriously wrong with me, I’d own that.
“I’m okay. Just tired,” River assured her, fading fast.
“Teeth and bed then,” Tillie instructed.
“But, Mom …” River whined.
“Nope. No, but Mom. Teeth and bed. I’ll be in in a minute to say goodnight,” she told him, pointing toward the back of the house.
River disappeared, and Tillie let out the biggest sigh I’d ever heard. It was like she just let the weight of the world fall from her shoulders. “Why do I feel the need to ask how you’re doing?” I asked her.
“I’m still going,” she replied, the tiredness in her voice unmistakable.
“Tillie,” I softened, reaching for her hand.
For a quiet moment we stayed there, just like that. I rubbed my thumb back and forth across the back of her hand, and Tillie let her eyes close. When they pinged back open again, I looked up at her. I tugged her gently toward me.
