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Coming next to me, Kat pats my shoulder. “Honey, he’s going to love this surprise. Besides, it’s not like there’s going to be keg stands and piles of weed to be smoked. It’s at three in the afternoon. There’s soda and fruit punch and loads of food.” She glances toward me, a knowing look on her face. “You know … since it has been a year of sobriety for Cade, does that mean things are, well, different for y’all?”
My cheeks heat up like an oven as my mind travels back to last night and this morning. Him showing up here in the pouring rain and declaring his love. And then showing me that love.Multiple times.
“Well … maybe,” I answer softly. “I guess we will see.” I straighten a few of the dishes out and wipe the counter.
“Baby girl, I saw the way he was looking at you earlier. And the way he was hugging you when you were washing dishes.” She gently nudges her elbow into my side. “Y’all aren’t fooling me. But you know what? The little man is now five months old. Caden and I are in town for the weekend. What do you say you pack an overnight bag and you and Cade go away for the night? After his party, of course.”
“Well, the team plays tomorrow night,” I say, thinking out loud, even though it does sound nice. Just Cade and me … alone.
“So, be back a few hours before game time,” she says softly. “Just think about it. Talk to Cade about it and let me know. Either way is fine. But just know that leaving Eli overnight, with hisgrandmother, does not make you a bad mom. Parents deserve some time for themselves, you know. And Lord knows,between classes and being a mom, you haven’t had much time for that.”
I offer her a smile. “Thank you, Kat. I’ll talk to Cade and let you know.”
As she busies herself getting everything ready again, I look over at Caden with Eli and realize how lucky my son is to have Cade’s parents. My mom and dad still come to visit as well, but for them, work will always come first. But I know that Eli will never feel unloved because of all the amazing people he has in his life.
I think of how everything has finally begun to fall into place. I decided what I wanted to be in school for—which was, in fact, not a doctor. But instead, I hope to one day work at a publishing company. Or maybe even as an editor. Something to do with books for sure. And Cade is in a great place. He’s enjoying coaching, and he’s also become a sponsor to a few people who just began their path to sobriety, and I can tell he loves it.
When I look at Cade, I don’t see an addict. I see the funniest person I’ve ever met. The best gift giver. A sturdy shoulder to cry on. A lopsided grin that lights up the entire room. A strong set of arms that gives the greatest hugs. And mostly …
I see the world’s greatest dad. And the man I love.
Cade
I ride home with the guys from practice. It’s kind of weird now because I’m more of a helper than a player this season, but I’m actually enjoying it more than I ever did playing. I get to workwith the defense, and when I stand back during the games and watch the things I’ve taught them play out before me, shit, it’s rewarding.
“So, uh … I couldn’t help but notice you weren’t home this morning,” Hunter drawls with a smirk. “Where’d you run off to bright and early?”
“Early? I heard him leave in the middle of the night in the pouring rain,” Watson tosses back. “But I didn’t hear his truck start. Which means … fucker didn’t go too far.” He pretends to cough. “Across the street.”
“You chasing my sister, Huff?” Hunter says, tipping his chin up. “Thought I warned you about that.”
“Oh, you did. But in Cade language, he apparently thought you meantimpregnant my sister.” Watson laughs. “Which, by the way, still pissed about the middle name.”
“Uncle number one, right here.” Hunter winks at Watson. “Don’t be jelly.”
“Yeah, but once Eli can walk and talk, he’ll know who’s the real number one uncle,” Watson throws back. “Santa won’t have nothing on me.”
I just sit back and listen to them go back and forth like two old women, fighting over who is or who will be the better uncle.
Today marks one year of sobriety for me. And I dare to say … it’s been the best year of my entire life. I broke down, felt like the world was ending. Went to rehab, met some damn good people. Found out I was going to have a baby with the only woman I’d ever loved. Came home, had to learn to love her from a distance while also being there for her at the same time. Became a dad and watched Haley step seamlessly into the role of a mother, and then, as of this day … we get to finally be a family.
I’ve done a lot of dumb shit in my life. But getting her pregnant wasn’t one of them.
We pull in front of the house and all pile out.
“I’m going to see Haley and the baby. I’ll see y’all later. Matter of fact, consider this my notice. I’m moving out. Daddy’s going home.” I hold my hand up to wave, but notice they are following me. “What are you doing?” I frown.
“We want to see our nephew, duh,” Hunter says as the three of us cross the road and walk along the sidewalk to Haley’s place.
I pull the door open, and my ears are instantly assaulted with the sound of people screaming, “Surprise!”
My eyes shift around the room, taking in the sight of my parents, Haley and the baby, the entire hockey team, Coach LaConte and his wife, Cam, Addison and Isla, Brody and Bria, Haley’s parents, Buck and Kobra, a few of the other guys from rehab, and finally … my eyes land on Ellen and Thomas, Eli’s parents.
Haley walks toward me, carrying Eli in her arms before she kisses me on the cheek. “Happy one year of sobriety, Daddy. We love you so much.”
“Call me Daddy again,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows. “It does all sorts of things to me.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “You’re too much.”
