Page 40 of Backup Plan

And I suppose now is an appropriate time for me to stand and join in on the party.

I walk over to them. “Did Madden say you’re signing with the Storm?” I ask.

Liam nods and grins at me.

“That's freaking amazing, Liam. Congratulations,” I say, and I give him a hug that is zero percent the type of hug I want to be giving him but one hundred percent the type that is appropriate given the situation.

I feel Madden studying us, and I get the sense that when Madden cornered Liam by the bar earlier as I was filling my plate with eggs and chocolate croissants, Liam confessed what was going on between us. I'm sure he'll fill me in later, but we haven't exactly had a chance to touch base given the festivities.

We hang around the pool, day drinking and ordering snacks until around five, and we all head up to our hotel rooms to rest up and get ready for our evening, which apparently is a joint boys and girls venture.

I am just about to hop in the shower again when I hear a knock at my door. I rush over to open it in case it's Liam surprising me, and I want to make sure I get him out of the hall before anyone else spots him.

I glance through my peephole and see that it's him, and I open the door and grab his arm to pull him in.

He loops his arms around me and stares down into my eyes for a few beats.

“Fucking hell, Penny, you and that goddamn swimsuit.” He shakes his head and closes his eyes as he tilts his head up toward the ceiling, his neck corded like he can hardly stand looking at me in it because of what it does to him.

“I can't believe San Diego Storm superstar Liam Bradley is holding me in his arms while complimenting me in my swimwear,” I murmur, and he chuckles.

“San Diego Storm superstar Liam Bradley wants to get you out of said swimwear and fuck you until you're not thinking about anything except his cock.” His hands trail down to squeeze my ass.

“Believe me when I say that the only thing I've been thinking about this weekend is your cock.”

My phone starts to ring, and I'm incredibly tempted to ignore it, but I can't. It could be the kids. He seems to read correctly in my eyes that I need to get it.

He pulls back and nods. “Go ahead.”

I pick my phone up, and sure enough, it’s Sammy FaceTiming me. I flash the screen at Liam so he knows to stay out of the frame as I take the call.

“Hi, my sweet boy,” I answer.

Sammy's eyes are red and puffy. When he says, “Hi, Mama,” in a shaky voice, my heart breaks, and I immediately blame fucking Brent for this, whatever it is. Apparently, I'm not wrong.

“Dad said he doesn't know when you're coming back, and it scared me because you said you're coming back tomorrow. I want to see you tomorrow,” he wails.

“Oh, baby, I'll be back tomorrow,” I say softly.

“Daddy won’t let me eat my gummy worms that I got from Mrs. Townsend yesterday for being star student.”

“Oh, honey, you were star student?” I ask. “That's amazing. I'm so proud of you. And you know what? When I get home tomorrow, maybe I'll bring you a special surprise for being the star.”

“You would do that, Mama?” he asks, and his sweet little voice has gone from trembling and sad to hopeful and excited.

“Of course I would, baby boy. I already picked out what I'm bringing you, and you're going to be so excited. And trust me when I say you can eat it just as soon as I give it to you.”

“You're the best. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. And not just because of the present.”

Liam chuckles behind me.

“Show me your hotel room,” Sammy says.

“Get Benji, too, and I’ll show you both.”

“Ben!” Sammy yells, and he appears on the screen a moment later.

“Hi, cutie pie,” I say to my little boy. He smiles and waves.