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“Okay.” One word is all I can muster. I’m drained and have little energy left.
We walk back to the headquarters and occasionally, he puts his hand on my back, and there is love in his touch. Even when I had a stepfather, he didn’t love me. He loved the money he was embezzling from my trust fund.
During the time it takes to pick up our cars and follow Mr. Cross home, my mind prisms into a thousand different directions. What is forgiveness? Does a man forgive or does a real man hold a grudge? How different would my life have been if I grew up knowing Eldrick Cross was my father?
As Mr. Cross enters his four-car garage, he opens door three. I pull my Jeep into the space and take a deep breath before stepping out.
I’m doing this.
We walk through the garage into a bonus room that leads into the kitchen. When his wife hears the door shut, she turns and smiles. Not at all what I was expecting. A brunette with freckles covering her nose and cheeks, which makes me think of Brooke.
“We’re so glad you came.” She extends her arms as I reluctantly embrace her. She’s a couple of years younger than my biological dad. No, he’s simply my dad. Her hug feels genuine, and her eyes are full of maternal love. She doesn’t fire questions at me but asks open-ended questions, I think in an attempt for me to open up and share what I’m comfortable with.
After dinner, she walks out to their sunroom where my dad and I are talking. She presents a s’mores maker, and I have the first feeling of family other than when I’m with Brooke and Caleb.
We burn marshmallows, laugh, and burn another one before we finally get it right, creating the perfect three-layered dessert.
I spend two nights and realize that as much as I’m enjoying getting to know Dad and Holly, my teammates are counting on me. Even if I don’t play, I need to get back for moral support. I also need to face my future and find out if Brooke wants to be in it.
Before I leave, my dad drops a bomb on me that I’m not sure I can wrap my head around. And I question how Brooke will take it.
We say our goodbyes, and I know I have a father and stepmother in my life. I can’t wait to meet my brothers. There’s a newfound excitement I feel down to my bones.
But when I return to Kentucky, I stop at Logan’s sister’s house. She’s a clothing designer, and I ordered something special for Brooke that she has ready. I’m one hundred percent ready for Brooke to know that I will never keep anything from her again and that I want her with me all the time. It’s a gamble, but you don’t get anywhere in life if you aren’t willing to risk your pain and your heart.
Chapter Forty-One
BROOKE
Despite Reed's absence for the past few days, my dad informed me that he will be returning to the team. Tomorrow afternoon, they have a game against Erik's team. It's a rare Saturday afternoon game, and I'm determined to attend, whether Reed reaches out or not. I'm going to be there, supporting my man. Even though Reed may have seemingly given up on me, I know the kind of man he truly is—loving, caring, irresistibly attractive, and above all, fiercely protective.
I have turned in the play I had to write this morning to my professor. After Reed shared his history with me, I chucked everything I’d written and wrote Reed a happy ending. Yes, the play is full of tragedy and heartbreak, but in the end, Reed gets the girl and a bonus little boy. Now, here’s hoping he still wants me.
After working a five-hour shift at the café, I run home and get ready for my ballet class. I’ve changed the time this week so Caleb can stay at daycare. Sometimes, as a single mom, you have to adjust quickly and make new arrangements.
My group of seven kids consists of six girls and one boy. His dad is the wide receiver coach on the Stallions and wants him to learn flexibility like Lynn Swann. I have no idea who that is.
I select a theme song from one of the kids' favorite movies. We execute all the ballet moves in slow motion, keeping the little boy at the center. Laughter fills the room as the girls find his energetic moves amusing. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Reed through the glass window, and my heart races instantly. Although he watches the little boy with a smile on his face, his eyes don’t quite reach mine, as he lays a box by the door.
Rehearsing the two-minute ballet is the last part of the lesson, so the kids hurry out, telling their parents all about Marcus and his moves.
I grab the box and sit at the desk to open it. When I do, it’s a beautiful handmade hockey sweater with the number 7 on the front. The number is appliqued on in light pink, the color of my ballet shoes. It’s outlined in royal blue. The jersey is white with blue and black stripes at the bottom and on the sleeves. The back has the name Cross spread between the shoulders and again the number seven.
And underneath, a handwritten note. “The only answer that matters is the one I need from you. It’s my hope that given this time apart, you realize I would never hurt you or Caleb. But again, if someone else hurts you, they will answer to me. Hope to see this on your gorgeous body, soon.”
I pick it up, burying my nose in the fabric. He’s put a hint of his cologne on it and thoughts of the first night we met play in my mind. The more I inhale, the more memories come. Him in the library. Playing airplane with Caleb, and so many more. I love him. I do.
I lock up and walk fifty feet down the hall to pick up Caleb. The receptionist says, “Your boyfriend picked him up fifteen minutes ago.”
“What boyfriend?”
“Your hockey player boyfriend. He had on a hockey shirt.”
“Reed? Reed Bauer?”
She shrugs her shoulder as she checks the log.
I hold up my wrist on her face. “Did he have an orange band?”
