It doesn’t take long before I’m at ease. I’m still trapped in a carousel of rockstars, their wives, and my family, but I like it. I like them all. They’re kind and funny. I try not to stare at Alexis’s husband too much, but I’ve always had a thing for tattoos. Like Rees, he has delightfully inked arms.
I add Drake to the conversation. He talks with Tate about life in the group home, then Bridger Cole joins in once he finds out my brother is a fireman.
“My crew and I have come to a few of your first responder concerts,” Drake says a little shyly. Maybe he’s spinning by being surrounded by these people like I am.
Bridger smiles at Charlie. “You need to bring the whole family. We keep it pretty tame for those ones since kids are in the crowd.”
“Bridger’s dad was a fireman,” Skye whispers. “They always do concerts honoring first responders.”
“That’s awesome,” I say, a knot in my throat. I worry about my brother, and sirens have now become a sound that instantly sets my pulse racing.
While their dads talk, Charlie makes a new friend in Bridger and Alexis’s son, Garett. He’s younger than Charlie but speaks like he’s ten.
“I’m Uncle Parker,” Garett says, puffing out his skinny chest, showing off his jersey. “But I like Thor.”
The boys laugh and trade accessories. Now, Thor has a plastic baseball bat, and the tiny Parker Knight has a hammer.
For a second, Drake’s annoyance at being near Burton Field is forgotten. Until we end up in the line where the players are handing out king-sized candy bars.
Griffin practically skips around, tossing candy and letting his youngest fans take pictures with him. Wren is the cameraman and laughs along with him. Every few minutes, Griffin takes a breath to kiss her, long and hard.
Parker is between Dax Sage and—my breath catches—Ryder.
Ryder crouches in front of a little girl in a witch’s costume and gives her one of his bright, carefree smiles when she puts her headband, complete with a tiny witch hat, on his head. He laughs, calls her by name, and lets her mom take a picture with them.
I fall in love a little . . . again.
Drake curses at my side when he finally catches up.
“Be nice.” I elbow his ribs. “This is for Charlie.”
My brother glares at me, but gives me my nephew’s hand. I don’t care if Drake hangs back, but I won’t have him cussing or being antagonistic toward Ryder in front of a bunch of kids. Charlie tugs on my hand and tries to keep up with Garett.
My mom sneaks to my other side, phone at the ready to snap more pictures. “I’m doing my best, Avie, but I’m going to embarrass him.”
“Mom,” I say through my teeth. “Why?”
“I just need to hug him.”
Oh. That’s not so bad. “Make sure it’s tight.”
“I know, I know.”
Well, I thought it wouldn’t be so bad, but my mother, my idol, my example, my soft place to fall for all things womanly, shoves through us and practically sobs as she yanks Ryder into not a hug, oh no, this is a chokehold.
At least it’s tight.
“I know we’ve chatted a few times, sweetie,” my mom gurgles out, “but it is so,sofun to see you here in action. I always knew you’d make it, but you knew that, right?” she says. Ryder still hasn’t registered he’s being accosted, and has his arms out to his sides, eyes wide with a bit of horror. My mom pats his back and pulls away, a hand on his cheek. “I always told your mom you’d be playing ball on the TV.”
“Hi, Marianne,” he says, voice rough. Ryder catches my gaze over the heads of kids.
I mouth a quicksorry, but when he freezes, I take it as a sign he needs to be rescued.
“Mom,” I say. “Have you met Parker? Charlie loves him.”
At last, she releases Ryder and makes the introductions to the other Kings.
I step next to Ryder and whisper, “Overwhelmed?”
