AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mommy’s sorry,” she tells him. “But Uncle Griffin just made Mommy swoon.”
Jett turns to look at me. “You’s my uncle?” he asks, his little brows furrowed.
“Not yet, little man, but one day,” I tell him. It’s a big claim to make in front of her sisters and her nephew, but it’s where I want this to go.
“See what I’ve been living with?” Oliver jokes.
“I think it’s sweet,” Parker tells me.
“I’m just being me.” I shrug.
“Well, we better get in there. I’m sure Mom’s excited to meet you, and Dad, well, he’s going to be cold, but just be you.” Paisley meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. “He needs to see the real you. Don’t hold back from him, and don’t let him intimidate you. He’s going to need to see that you’re here for her and nothing else.”
“Trust me. That’s why I’m here.” I don’t plan to hold back. It’s not possible even if I really tried, not after five long weeks without her. He needs to get used to me being around. I plan to visit as much as my schedule allows.
“I believe you, but we’ve,” she motions between her and Parker, “learned a few things with introducing Dad to Cam and Holden. We’re passing that wisdom on to you.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m fine.”
“Yeah,” Paisley agrees. “I think you’re going to be just fine.”
“I’ll grab Jett,” Parker says. “Cam will flip out if he finds out I let you carry him.”
“I’m fine. I’m pregnant, not injured.”
“I’ll get him.”
“I want Uncle Griff,” Jett tells them.
“Well, all right then.” Parker laughs. “Just leave your bags in the back. Unless you need something from them?”
“I’m good,” Oliver and I say at the same time.
“Let’s do this.” Parker and Paisley climb out of the SUV.
I fumble with the straps of the car seat, but I’m able to release them and lift Jett into my arms. “You’s big like Daddy,” he says.
“He is tall like Daddy.” Paisley smiles at her son.
“I want Daddy,” Jett says. It’s not a cry, more like a statement.
“He’s working. They’re surprisingly off today, but they had practice. He and Uncle Holden will be here later.”
“I hab lots of uncles.”
“You have two uncles,” Parker says, winking at me.
My chest swells for this little boy and this family who have been so accepting. Well, so far. I have yet to meet her parents, and I’m nervous because I want them to like me.
“We’re here!” Parker calls out.
“Come with us,” Paisley tells us.
With Jett still perched on my hip, I follow them down the hall and into the living room. I can feel Oliver standing beside me in silent support. This is a big deal for me. I’m meeting my girl’s parents, but it’s also a big deal as a baseball fan for Oliver and me. We were both huge fans of Easton’s growing up, so this is surreal for us in that aspect as well.
“Mom, Dad, this is Griffin and his best friend, Oliver. Griffin, this is our mom, Larissa, and our dad, Easton.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” I offer Larissa my hand first, and she waves it off, hugging Jett and me at the same time, making him laugh. She steps back, and I offer my hand to Easton. He stares at it until his wife elbows him in the ribs, and he finally reaches out and shakes my hand.
“Come to Pappa.” He holds his arms out for Jett.
“Uncle Griff gots me,” Jett tells him, and I can practically see the steam coming from Easton’s ears.
“He’s not your uncle.”
“Mommy said so,” he tells Easton.
“That’s right. I did,” Paisley tells him. “Pappa just forgot what Griffin means to Aunt Peyton.”
“And he made Mommy swoon,” Jett adds helpfully.
I make a mental note that this kid doesn’t miss anything.
“Be nice,” Larissa tells her husband.
“He’s stealing my grandson,” Easton counters. “And my lady,” he mumbles, but we all hear him.
“Come on, Dad.” Paisley rolls her eyes. “No one is stealing anything.”
“Fine. We’ll lay it out then. He’s a college ballplayer. He found out that your sister was connected to the game in more ways than one, and now he’s using her to get to us and to get to the league.”
“Hey, Jett. Why don’t you go to your aunt Parker?” I hand him to Parker. “Can you take him out of the room for a minute?” I ask her.
She looks at Paisley. “Record this,” she mouths, and Paisley grins but pulls her cell out of her pocket. If I weren’t so pissed off right now, I’d laugh at their antics.
I wait for Parker to leave the room before I open my mouth and let my emotions take over. “I didn’t know who she was, at least not the way you’re insinuating. To me, she was a beautiful woman with a smile that lit up the already bright sky. I wanted to spend more time with her before I found out her last name and your family’s connection to the game I love. Yes, I love baseball. I’ve played since I was Jett’s age, and I’m damn good at it. I’d love to be one of the lucky ones to make it to the league, but I know that’s a long shot, and I’m planning for that not to happen, just as much as I’m planning and wishing that it would. That’s my dream, and it has nothing to do with your daughter. That’s a new dream and one that came to be after I met her. I know regardless of my future with the game that I love, that I’ll be able to provide for her and the family that we will hopefully one day have.”
