Page 76 of Backup Plan

I mean…I do. I don’t want her to feel betrayed. But I’m not sure why I’m so dead set on hiding this from her when it feels like it’s turning into something important. Maybe because I wasn’t really sure it was anything more than just screwing around, but now it is. Except it can’t be because he’s leaving for minicamp and I’m still going through a divorce.

When did life get so freaking complicated?

“Where are you parked?” he asks.

“In the garage. Fourth floor.”

“I’m on three.” He glances over at me, and I stare straight ahead. I feel like I’m going to cry, and it hits me out of left field.

I don’t want to cry.

I just want to be present in this moment, to enjoy what little time we have left.

“I wish we didn’t have to go to Archer’s thing,” he says quietly.

“I know. But Ev said he’s proposing to his girl. It’s some secret engagement party,” I say.

“Worst kept secret ever,” he says.

“I don’t think Millie knows,” I point out, and he chuckles.

“Yeah, she seemed pretty oblivious, but I guess everyone in that suite was feeling different things.”

“True. Ev and Mav were in their own little world. Millie was alone with all of us for the first time ever. You just found out you’re going to be a father. I’m lamenting that my boyfriend is leaving town.” I press my lips together.

His hand tightens in mine. “Wait. First, we don’t know for sure I’m going to be a father.”

I can’t help a laugh. “I didn’t think that was the thing you were going to comment on.”

“It wasn’t. Did you just call me your boyfriend?”

“I did.” I nod emphatically.

“But you’re still married,” he points out.

“A technicality.”

“And my sister’s your best friend.”

I lift a shoulder. “We’ll tell her eventually.”

“And I’m leaving town.”

“Yeah,” I murmur. “We’ll figure that one out.”

He leans over and nuzzles my neck. “Fucking better.”

He lets go of my hand and loops his arm around my shoulders, and I wrap my arm around his waist. We walk the rest of the way to the parking garage that way, and despite the obstacles in our way, despite the fact that he has to leave early in the morning, I have faith that we’re going to figure it all out.

Eventually.

I hope.

He walks with me to my car, and he stops and kisses me softly outside of it before I slip in and start the drive toward the next destination. We celebrate Archer and Millie. Liam grabs my hand in secret when nobody’s looking. I want to kiss him like I’ve never wanted to kiss anybody before in my life…but I don’t.

Not yet.

I leave first since it’s getting late and the boys have an early summer camp day tomorrow, and I navigate toward my mom’s place. She’s chatty this evening, and by the time I get the boys home, it’s time for baths and bed.