I reach over Paige’s empty chair and shove Beau. “You know I threw more balls than you did.” Beau laughs and rolls his eyes.
After Paige makes another round, I grab the platter out of her hand, set it on the table, and pull her onto my lap. “Have you eaten yet?” I ask her while my brothers shit-talk each other.
“I snacked while I cooked.”
Unacceptable. “Stop worrying about us. Eat some dinner. The guys and I will clean up since you made the meal.”
She bats her eyes playfully. “Thank you, husband.”
“You’re welcome, wife.”
I don’t ever remember being this enchanted with that term when I was married to my ex.
I start to tuck that loose strand of hair behind Paige’s ear, but pause to run it between my fingers. It’s silky soft. Realizing what I’m doing, I let go. “Scoot. Go eat.” I pat her ass because it’s right there and too enticing to resist.
I’d happily let her stay on my lap, but my brothers are giving me looks, and I don’t feel like dealing with them.
Once everyone’s done, Paige tells me she’s gonna go take a shower. I try not to think about that visual as we get an assembly line going at the sink while Gabriel and Austin help Mav dry the dishes.
Beau nudges me as he washes a plate. “She’s pretty awesome. No one would flinch if you tried to make it work.”
Could I do that? Could I stay married? What about Paige’s plans to move to Boston? I glance at our old farmhouse that needs a new paint job. I look at the chipped cabinets and dirty windows. I think about our mountain of bills. Sure, the loan will get us through this year, but what happens if there’s another drought? What happens if one of us gets hurt? What happens if the price of cattle drops again?
I seriously question why Paige would want to stay here with me. The woman loves coaching cheerleaders. She wants to move to Boston, an exciting, cosmopolitan city. I’d be asking her to give that up so she can look after my dumb ass and live in Wild Heart.
“It’s complicated,” I mumble.
When we’re done, I toss my boys in the bathtub ’cause they stink.
“Wash as high as possible.” I raise my hand to my head. “Wash as low as possible.” I point to my feet. “Then washpossible.” I motion to my groin. They laugh as they scrub themselves.
I sit on the closed toilet and wonder how many towels I’m gonna have to use to dry the floor when they’re done.
By the time I get them in their pajamas and tucked into bed, I’m ready to pass out myself.
“Daddy, I wanna story,” Austin says.
“A story, huh?” I grab Gabriel and carry him over my shoulder to Austin’s bed. We all squish on the twin mattress. When we’re situated, I scramble to think of something. “Once upon a time, there was a little dog named Poo Splat.”
They giggle.
“Poo Splat was an industrious fella. He had a good nose for solving crimes. One Christmas, all the holiday gifts went missing.”
“I’d be so sad.” Gabriel leans his head on my shoulder.
“Son, no one would steal your lump of coal,” I tease, and he giggles again.
By the time I finish the story, they’re both yawning. I carry Gabriel back to his bed and tuck him in. “Love you, kiddo.”
“Love you too, Dad.” I start to get up, but he tugs on my shirt. “Just…” He shrugs. “Paige ain’t so bad.”
I chuckle. “She likes you too, bud.”
I cross the room to Austin. His eyes are already closed. I smile at my sweet boy and pull the covers over him. Before I leave, I flip on their dinosaur night light. “Night, boys,” I whisper.
Stepping into the hallway, I leave their door cracked open behind me. I have another week before their mother gets them, but the closer we get to that date circled on the calendar, the more dread builds in me. I fucking hate that I can’t see my children every day.
When I reach my bedroom, I knock to make sure Paige is decent.
