I rubbed the back of my head. I knew it was going to be hell. If it wasn’t, the kid would have had a home by now. A real family. Instead, here I was—the last mother fucker on the planet who should be trying to take on the role of parent.
“I know. I don’t care. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll pay whatever it costs. Just figure out the details for me.”
“I can do that for you. Can you give me a week?”
“Yeah. I’ve kind of got a big fucking game tomorrow.”
She laughed. “I’ll be there.”
“Oh, that reminds me. I need box passes.”
“For Pops again?”
Shit. I should have included him. I’d get her to call him and extend a third ticket. “Yeah, call Pops for me and ask him. But the other two are for Julie Bristow and for the boy Hunter.”
“Ahh, I see what’s happening.” She had that tisk-tisk sound in her voice.
“You don’t see shit, Savi. Just get the tix.”
“You’re playing house. I knew it. You fell for the teacher chick and now you want the kid. Presto family.”
I rolled my eyes. It was a good thing Savannah was a chick or I’d deck her for saying shit like this to me. “She’s in my life. He’s in my life. Get them tickets,” I growled.
“Got it, boss.”
“And this is completely confidential. I don’t want anything getting out until I know I can move forward. I can’t give the kid hope, then yank it away.”
“Hey, I’ve seen what my family has been through. I wouldn’t do that. I’m only giving you a hard time. I think it’s amazing. Honestly, I knew you had a heart of gold in there somewhere.”
“I’m serious.”
“I’ll start on it Monday after we get through tomorrow. I have press requests coming in every thirty seconds. Let me handle that and then we’ll see how to make you a daddy.”
I grinned. “Deal. Thanks.”
“It’s what you pay me millions for.”
I laughed. “Good night.” I hung up and stared at the city below me.
Playoffs. Christmas. Fatherhood.
They were all only weeks away.
The doorbell rang and I rushed toward the door. There was one woman who put all of this in perspective for me and she was standing on the other side of the threshold.
22
Julie
The door flew open and Hawk’s broad shoulders filled the frame. I almost sighed out loud when I saw his smoldering eyes and cut jawline. His hands snaked around my waist, capturing my lips with his.
“How was your day?” He stepped back so I could walk inside.
“Amazing.” I smiled. “I told Hunter about the game tomorrow and it was like instant medicine. He was inside his shell. You know how he gets. And then poof—he was over it and couldn’t wait to go to the museum.” I faced Hawk. “You did that. You made him so happy today.”
“Technically, I didn’t see the kid. I was in playbook meetings and watching tape.”
I swatted at his chest. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“I’m glad you’re both excited about the game. I think my friend Pops is going to be there too.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. He’s an old friend. You may have seen him at Catch.”
I glared at him. “I worked there all of one night. I have tried to block it out.”
He chuckled. “I think that night turned out pretty good for both of us.”
I realized he had stepped toward me and I was backing up, step by step, toward the bedroom.
“You think?” I teased.
He nodded. “I do. But anyway. I didn’t want you to be surprised by Pops. He was sort of a father figure. He’s the one who got me to play peewee ball. Went to all my games as a kid.”
I missed my turn and my back landed against the wall.
Hawk’s hands pressed into the wall behind me.
“Sounds like another nice guy I know.” She smiled.
“I’m not a nice guy,” he growled. The sound sent shivers down my spine all the way to my core.
“Yes, you are,” I pushed back.
“Are you trying to test me, baby?” His finger hooked on my scarf and it loosened from my neck.
“I know how nice you are.” I baited him again.
“Fuck, and I thought you paid attention this morning.” He gripped my chin between his fingers as he plunged his tongue into my mouth, holding me in a fiery kiss. His body pinned me to the wall.
“Everything you did was sweet,” I breathed.
His fingers threaded through my hair, yanking my head up. His teeth grazed over my throat. “Then I need to reintroduce you to my cock, baby.”
I gasped. I felt the warm rush between my legs. He had already made me soak my panties and I was fully clothed. We hadn’t made it to the bed yet.