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“Ben!” Sophie chased after him, and for a minute it felt like my family was running to me.
My whole world.
Sophie Hayes had always been such a huge part of who I was, the man I wanted to be.
For her.
I crouched to his level, and he didn’t hesitate to jump into my arms. It was such a surreal, overwhelming feeling to have him be in my embrace. This little man we’d made. Where he was suddenly the most important person in my life.
From that moment forward, nothing else mattered but him.
I didn’t know how long I held him against my chest, lost in the feel of his skin, the scent of his hair, and all the sentiments he pulled out of my entire body. I’d forever remember this day as one of the happiest times of my life.
When I looked up, Sophie was hovering above us with big, huge tears streaming down her gorgeous face. One right after the other. I kissed the top of Ben’s head, letting my lips linger on his soft hair. I didn’t want this moment to end, not for one second.
He was the first to pull away, grabbing onto my face with his little hands.
“Hi,” he greeted, smiling wide. “I’m your number one fan.”
Instantly, my eyes rimmed with tears. Five words were all it took for me to lose all sense of control when it came to him.
“Is that right?” I coaxed, trying to hold back the emotion coursing through my veins with no end in sight.
“Yeah. I’m Benjamin Jax Hayes.”
I winced, hating that he didn’t carry my last name.
“My mom says she named me after you.”
Never breaking eye contact with him, I stated, “Well, I’m honored.”
He beamed, throwing my stats at me. “You hold six hundred and twenty-seven passing touchdowns, and you’ve gone to forty-five playoffs, and won eight Super Bowls.”
I nodded, smiling. “That’s right.”
“You’re the greatest of all time.”
“I’ve probably had thousands of people say that to me, Ben, but none of them meant as much as hearing you say it to me right now.”
He didn’t hesitate in replying, “My mom says you’re my dad.”
Feeling an immense sense of joy, I responded, “I am.”
“Wow … that’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me. Jax Colton is my dad. Can I tell all my friends?”
“You can tell whoever you want, bud.”
“Can I call you dad?”
I was wrong … those five words were enough to make me lose control.
“Bud, I would love that.”
He smiled, wrapping his arms around my neck. “You’re the best. I love you, Dad.”
I blinked, and tears slid out of my eyes. “I love you too, Benjamin.”
My gaze met Sophie’s again, and the first words she mouthed to me were, “I’m so sorry I kept him from you.”
