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It’s not the question I want to ask, the one I’m screaming in my head.Who is the mother?

His cheeks turn ruddy as he shakes his head. “Not sure what I’d say to her if I did.”

For some reason, his embarrassment eases some of my own anxiety.

I reach across the table and take his hand. “I’m not trying to embarrass you by bringing her up, but do you know how you’ll answer those questions the media will raise about her?” Because if he’s not ready to talk to a few people at the diner about Poppy, much less her mother, then he’s probably not ready to take on the press.

“Not a fucking clue.” He groans, his eyes anguished as he stares at his daughter, who plays with a menu. “But this means I definitely have to tell my father.”

“Tell him…?”

“About Poppy. Before he hears about it on ESPN or from some nosy-ass neighbor.”

He hasn’t told his father yet? Holy crap.

“Don’t say it.” He pulls his hand away. “Normal people talk to their parents when they’re in trouble, but we’re not a normal family. I can’t deal with his judgment when the man can barely take care of himself. Hell, on some days he didn’t even feed me when I was a kid.”

Oh, my heart.

He’d probably hate if Poppy and I jumped up out of the booth so we could hug him.

Casting my eyes down, I bite my lower lip so it doesn’t quiver, but kids are my weakness, and thinking about him suffering as a child nearly does me in.

“Hey,” he says, his voice gentle.

I swallow.

“Gabby.” When I finally look up, the soft expression on his face makes me want to crawl into his lap. It’s his turn to reach over the table and grab my hand. “I’m okay. Just like you, I got through it. You don’t need to feel bad about my situation. I know I’m lucky in a lot of ways to have so many opportunities now.”

“You’re not lucky. You’re talented. I know we weren’t friends for much of college, but that doesn’t mean I was blind. I saw you in the library studying all the time. And now that I understand your grueling practice and game schedule better, I realize how hard you’ve worked.”

He threads his fingers through mine and clears his throat. “Thanks for having my back. Tank wasn’t kidding last night when he said we wouldn’t have survived the season without you. You’ve been such a good friend to me when I haven’t given you many reasons to be.”

I look down, certain I’m blushing.

I should tell him I had my reasons. That while, yes, I would do anything for Poppy because this baby stole my heart the moment I pulled her out of that basket, I’ve been fighting a crush on him for years despite my better judgment. But I don’t say anything.

He squeezes my hand before he releases it. “This is gonna sound strange, but I never talk about my family to anyone. Besides my coach, you’re the only other person I’ve told. It’s always been easy to talk to you. I mean, when you aren’t slamming doors in my face.”

I laugh. “Oh, my God. Shut up.”

He chuckles, and we smile at each other. “Seriously. You’re a good listener. Maybe it’s because you’ve gone through so much yourself. You said your aunt took you in?” I nod slowly. “Do you stay with her over breaks?”

My smile fades. “No.” I shift Poppy in my lap, grateful that she’s busy playing with ketchup packets.

“Are you guys not close anymore?”

“She, uh, she got a new boyfriend my senior year of high school, this guy Bobby, and he’s not my biggest fan.”

Rider’s eyebrows furrow. “Why’s that?”

“Because I told my aunt Carmen that he hit on me.”

“He fucking did what?”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I’m sure Rider doesn’t even know what he said just now, but without a moment of hesitation, he assumed Bobby was at fault, which is more than I can say for my aunt.

“Bobby came home drunk one night and made a pass at me. My aunt was working. I told her what happened the next day, but she took his side. Said I must have imagined it.” I shrug. “When I left for college, Carmen said it was probably best if I didn’t stay with her anymore. Bobby had told her thatImadehimuncomfortable. I’ve only visited a couple of times since then—when I was sure Bobby was at work—so I could see my little cousins.”