Foolish Games(71)

For now, she’d bide her time, loving him in her heart even if she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She’d already confessed to him how much she needed him. He held all the cards and he could crush her if he wanted to.

Her cell phone buzzed in the diaper bag. Julianne pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Stephen. She’d managed to avoid his phone calls for the past two weeks, instead trading voice mail and text messages. Total avoidance of him seemed silly and petty, though. After all, he was only concerned about Owen’s welfare. What harm could there be in letting him know his nephew was fine?

“Hello,” she answered.

Stephen hesitated; he was probably stunned she’d finally answered. “You’re alive!”

“Don’t sound so disappointed,” she teased.

He sighed. “Julianne, do we always have to do this?”

She bristled at his tone, feeling chastised. Even worse, her half brother was right. He took his job as older sibling very seriously; there was no reason for her to be churlish. “Sorry. You’ve got my undivided attention now. What’s up?”

“Just checking how everything is going there. You’ve been thrust into an awkward situation and I worry that you’re okay.”

“Part of this situation is my fault, Stephen, but I’m taking responsibility for it, trying to correct the wrong decisions I might have made.”

“Yes, you are, Julianne, and I’m really proud of the way you handled yourself and this whole crazy situation. You’re a wonderful mother.”

Unexpected tears stung her eyes. That was twice her brother had complimented her. She wasn’t sure how to take it.

“How is Owen doing? Has he completely recovered?”

Julianne proudly regaled him with the latest update from Owen’s checkup earlier in the week. “Of course, he’s in the hundredth percentile for height and weight. He’s going to be big like his daddy.”

“I know Faith and the kids would love to see you both. Are you coming up with Will next week?”

She looked across the sand at Will. He hadn’t mentioned anything about next week. Of course, they both strategically avoided any discussion of the future.

“Next week?” she asked.

“Blaze mini-camp is next week. Unless, of course, Will is skipping it to avoid all the questions about the bounty issue.”

Back to that again. Why was her brother so interested in her husband’s supposed involvement in a bounty scheme? Will was headed toward her, a cranky Owen in his hands.

“Umm, I think Carly was actually going to come down here,” she fibbed. “But if plans change, I’ll let you know, Stephen. I need to feed Owen now. I’ll definitely call if we come to town. Bye.” She hung up the phone just as Will reached the stroller. For some reason she couldn’t explain, she was uncomfortable talking about Will and football with her brother.

Julianne pulled the bottle of water out of the diaper bag and mixed the dry formula in before shaking it up. Will gently sat down on the swing, maneuvering Owen into the crook of his arm.

“Who was that?” he asked, taking the bottle from her and silencing Owen with it.

She wasn’t sure why the question put her on the defensive, but it did. It almost felt like her brother and Will were tussling over something and she was caught in the middle. In the end, she decided that given their evolving relationship, she had no reason to hide things from Will.

“It was my brother. Checking up on me again.”

If Will had any reaction, she didn’t catch it because he was watching Owen drink his bottle.

“He mentioned that you would be going to Baltimore next week. For mini-camp?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t meant to sound so disappointed.

They were quiet for a moment; Owen gulped his lunch, punctuating the lull in their conversation.

“You and Owen could come with me.”

Julianne’s stomach soared at his words. She didn’t have a problem being left in Chances Inlet. Annabeth would be there. But the thought of spending several days, and nights, away from Will made her chest ache.

“Where would we stay?”

“I have a loft apartment in Fed Hill. It’ll be cozy.” He looked up then, his green eyes stormy. “But I think we’ll be able to make it work.”

She couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “I could see Carly!”

“And your brother.” He looked at her intently.

Julianne waved a hand. “If there’s time. But I’d rather see Carly.”

“The team hosts a big family picnic the night before the mini-camp ends. I’m sure Carly will be there.”