AllFreeNovel
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I don’t arrive home that late, and when I pull onto my street, Violet and Theo are walking hand in hand down the sidewalk, so I pull off to the side and roll down the window.
“Where are you two headed?” I call.
“Hi, Daddy!” Theo lets go of Violet’s hand and rushes over to the passenger side window. “We’re going to the park. Want to come?”
My muscles ache and I’m tired from a lack of sleep for the past few nights, but how can I say no when Theo’s eyes twinkle with excitement at the prospect of spending time with me? I know the years will fly by and soon I’ll be the last person he wants to hang with.
“Sure thing. I’ll meet you guys there after I park at home.”
“Okay, Daddy!” He rushes back to Violet, who gives me a shy wave before they continue walking toward the park.
Once I’ve parked at home and run inside to grab a ball cap and sunglasses, I head out to the park. It only takes me a few minutes to walk there, and I find them around the playground. Violet stands off to the side, watching Theo play with Kale and a couple of other boys.
“Hey, you.” I stand by her side, and she glances at me.
She chuckles at my hat and sunglasses. “Going incognito?”
I shrug. “It helps cut down on the number of people who recognize me. I don’t love it when fans approach me when I’m with Theo.”
Violet’s smile feels like sunshine on my face. “That’s sweet.”
I drop my hand to my side and brush my fingers against hers, not missing her quick intake of air. “How was your day?”
“Good. Hannah called earlier and Theo was a little bummed after, hence why we’re here for the second time today.” She laughs.
“That’s all right. All this fresh air and activity will help him sleep sounder tonight. Then you and I can—” My mind travels to a lot of different scenarios, all with us being naked.
“Daddy, will you push me on the swing?” Theo shouts from the top of the slide.
“Sure, buddy.” I turn to face Violet. “If you want to clock out and head home, I can stay with him until he’s had his fill.”
She shakes her head. “That’s okay. I don’t mind.”
We walk together over to the swings.
Theo meets us, jumping up on his favorite one. “I wanna go really high, Daddy!”
I start with a gentle shove on his back. “All right. You tell me if it gets to be too much.”
With each push from me, Theo goes a little higher until he’s giggling and laughing.
“You look like you could fly, Theo!” Violet calls to him.
I glance from her radiant smile to Theo, whose head is thrown back so I can see the look of wonder and excitement on his face, and a strange sensation falls over me.
This feels like a family.
I know how dangerous that thought is, and I hate myself for thinking it because Violet has made it clear that she wants nothing more than a casual hookup. Still, I can’t shake how right this thing between us feels.
“Hey, Banks!”
I turn to see one of the dads I recognize.
“Can’t wait to see you kick some LA ass next week in preseason.” He gives me a thumbs-up and a wave.
“Thanks, man.” I return his wave, and he leads his son out of the park.
With his mention of our away game, I make a split-second decision without really thinking it through. “Why don’t you come to some of the away games? Usually Theo stays home because Hannah’s here, but since she’s not, you guys should come. I can get us a suite.”
