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Brody paused for a few seconds like he was considering it. “Yeah. I’m glad I went.”
“Good. Me too.” I exchanged a look with Ethan.
“You good?”
“I’m great. Let’s go home.”
Ethan nodded, satisfied with my answer. As he pulled into the driveway, I said, “You know a good realtor?”
“Juliana Breslin. She’s who everyone’s been using.”
“Can you get me her number?”
“Are we moving?” Brody asked from the backseat.
Turning to face him, I said, “I want to buy this house.”
Brody’s eyes widened. “We’re staying?”
“It’s up to you. If you want to move, we will. But I’d like to stay. I want to see Abby and Hunter and stay in my hometown. I want to coach your baseball team. I think this thing with your dad will blow over. And if not, we’ll deal with it.” I could pull him from school for a while until things died down. Drama never lasted forever. I could be patient.
“Did my dad agree to stay out of the news?”
“He did. I’m going to get him a good attorney to help him.”
“Thanks, Uncle Nick.” Brody unbuckled his seatbelt and looped his arms around my neck. It was awkward, and there wasn’t much room to maneuver, but it was the best hug I’d ever received.
“You’re welcome, buddy.” Tears pricked my eyes, and I didn’t bother to hold them back. It was important for Brody to see a man show his emotions.
We got out of the car and headed inside. Brody bounded outside to let off some steam in the yard.
“You think he’s going to be okay?” I asked Ethan.
He nodded. “With you in his corner, he’ll be fine.”
“I hope I’m making the right decisions,” I said as I grabbed waters from the fridge and handed one to Ethan.
He accepted the bottle and unscrewed the cap. “I think things will work out.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said, taking a long pull of water. I never wanted to be inside a jail again. I hoped that was the last time I’d need to talk to Austin in person. It was necessary for Austin to see how his actions affected Brody. And Brody needed to see his dad was okay. Austin’s assurances would go a long way to doing that.
Ethan clasped my shoulder. “You’re following your heart. You can’t go wrong.”
I tipped my head back. “Abby’s pregnant.”
Ethan sucked in a breath. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m doing it. I talked to Austin. I’m getting him an attorney. Hopefully, he’ll strike a deal, implicate the others, and get a reduced sentence. He’ll do his time and come out better on the other side. I have to be optimistic he’s capable of changing. At least for Brody’s sake.”
“Are you happy?”
I thought through the roller coaster of emotions I’d experienced since Abby came to me. She was so strong. So vulnerable. She expected me to leave. “I can’t even explain the feelings. I’m happy, content. I want to take care of her, the baby, Hunter, and Brody. I want us to be a family.”
“Does she trust you’re going to stick around?” He leaned a hip against the counter.
“That’s what she’s worried about. I have to prove to her that I’m the guy who wants to be at her side. That’s why we’re staying in town and I’m buying this house. There are enough bedrooms for all of us to live here and grow. I’m handling Austin’s situation. I’m going to go for custody of Brody. I want us to be a family.”
“You think she’ll believe it?” Ethan asked.
