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“Now, we watch a movie,” Easton says, wrapping his arms around her and snuggling her close.
“Can we watch Cinderella?”
“Sure we can, sweet girl. Whatever you want.”
I want to scold him for spoiling her, but she’s sick, and honestly, even if she wasn’t, I’m sure I would bite my tongue. He’s so good with her, so much so my heart aches. She’s never had this, a male role model, and she’s soaking up time with him like a sponge. I still have the worry in the back of my mind, but seeing her with him, and him with her, no way can I deny them this.
I sift through the DVDs and find Cinderella, putting it in the DVD player and grabbing the remote.
“Come here, baby.” Easton pats the cushion next to him where he still sits with Paisley on his lap. I go willingly and curl up into his side. I feel his lips press against the top of my head and bite back my smile. This, in this moment, I couldn’t ask for more. Well, maybe for P to feel better, but the three of us like this… it’s everything.
“Hey, man, we’re all going out to breakfast. You in?” Fisher asks.
“Nah, thanks though.”
“You’re all domesticated and shit. Can’t hang out with your boys?”
“Not today. Larissa’s exhausted. She’s picked up three extra shifts this week because one of her coworkers has been sick. Paisley had two games, from catching up with rain dates a couple of weeks ago, which means all five nights this week she or her mom has had to get her to a game or practice. I was out of town and couldn’t help, so I’m going over there to see what I can do.”
“She does it all on her own?” Carr asks, joining the conversation.
“Yeah, I mean her mom helps, but other than that, it’s all Larissa.”
“Where’s the dad?” Fisher asks.
“Killed in the line of duty.”
“Fuck,” Drew mumbles under his breath.
“Yeah, she won’t ask for help, but she’s getting it.”
“Let us know if we can help.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll catch you guys later.” I grab my bag and head out to my truck. We were on the road this week for a seven-day stretch. This morning was a short team meeting and workout, and we’re off until our game on Sunday. It doesn’t take long to reach her place. When I walk up to the front door, I hear Paisley crying and Larissa telling her to go to her room. Quickly, I knock on the door, and it swings open a few minutes later to a frazzled Larissa.
“Hey,” she says, stepping back to let me in.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just trying to get things done. Paisley is wound for sound today.”
“I heard her crying.”
She sighs, her shoulder slumping in defeat. “Yeah, she insists on watching TV out here instead of in her room or mine, and she has to have it loud enough that I’m sure Mom can hear it at her place. I’ve had to repeatedly ask her to turn it down. I have a paper due by six tonight, and I need to concentrate.”
I open my arms and she walks into them. I hold her close, my mind racing as to what I can do to help. That’s when it hits me. “Go pack up your computer and whatever you need. You’re coming to my place. Sit out by the pool or use my office, the couch, whatever you need. Just go and get your work done. If you do it here, you’re just going to think about everything else on your list that you feel like you have to do today.”
“I’m fine here.”
“Nope. Go pack. I’m going to go get P, get her to pack some toys for later, but for now, she and I are going on a date.”
“A date?” she asks. Her eyes, although filled with stress, are just a little brighter at my words.
“A date,” I say again. “You’re going to go to my place and forget about work, about laundry, and whatever else you are worrying about in that pretty little head of yours. The fridge is stocked. You go and get your work done. When you’re finished, take a nap, take a swim, I don’t care. P and I will be on a date.”
“Easton,” she says, but I stop her from continuing by placing my finger over her lips.
“Let me do this. Let me take care of you. This is what you need, Ris. Time to think, to get caught up with school.”
