Page 107 of Put a Rink on It

The front door opens, cutting off anything I was going to say, and Tate appears shortly after.

“I’m sorry to barge in, and I hope I’m not overstepping, but you’ve been on my mind.” She looks at Ma and back at me. “It’s not my business, but I wanted to give you a hug. If that’s okay.” She doesn’t wait for permission and throws her arms around my torso, giving me a side hug. She pulls away, a horrified expression on her face. “Oh my gosh. I’m sorry. I should have waited for approval. I’m not sure what’s gotten into me.” Her cheeks flush red, and I feel bad she’s upset for no reason.

“You’re fine, Tate. Promise. And I’m not.” I lift a shoulder, holding back the threatening tears.

“Why are you not fine?” Ma asks. With the way Tate marched in, I forgot she was with us.

“What? I’m fine.”

“You said, ‘I’m not’ after letting Tate off the hook by saying she’s fine, implying you’re not fine.”

This woman misses nothing, and at thirty-one, I’m still a little afraid of her.

“I thought I could be pregnant, but I’m not. Just emotionally unstable.” Ma pushes the plate of cookies over, and the one I grab becomes breakfast.

“How do you feel about not being pregnant?” Ma slides the plate toward Tate and taps the chair on the other side of her. Tate sneaks a cookie but shakes her head at Ma’s offer.

“I should go. This isn’t a conversation for me.”

“Stay,” I instruct. “Unless you need to be somewhere for the girls.”

“Walsh can handle them. I left all three of them cuddled in our bed. Bean will probably want breakfast soon, but it’s nothing she can’t handle.”

“She’s an amazing kid, Tate. You’ve done a great job with her.”

Tate sits, her cheeks red again. “Thank you. A lot of it is her personality, but I like to think I can take credit for some of it.”

“Most of it, dear. She’s lucky to have you, and so is Lennon. You’re a better role model than her mother.”

“Ma!” I scold, never hearing her talk poorly about Megan.

“Sue me that I like Tate better in all the ways and tell me I’m wrong.”

She uses the look she perfected years ago, and I exhale. “You’re not.”

“You’ve yet to answer my question.”

I don’t pretend to know which question she’s talking about, but I’m not sure how truthful I should be.

“Part of me is relieved, but the other part is sad. It’s not like we were trying or anything, so relief should be the only emotion I feel, but I want to be a mom. And I don’t want to wait forever. But Nero’s not sure he even wants kids, so there’s that, plus the fact Nero won’t be the father of my babies anyway. It will be some other guy, someone I haven’t met yet, someone who I’m supposed to find, love, and spend the rest of my life with.” It’s not until I catch their shock that I rewind to what I’ve said. “Shit. Great. And now you know the real reason I’ve been lying and emotional and stressed the fuck out.” I shove half a cookie into my mouth to give it something to do other than spewing nonsense.

“I’m gonna make breakfast and call Juliet to come over because if she finds out she’s missing this, I’ll be in the doghouse.” Ma looks at Tate. “Maybe text Walsh that you’re going to be longer than you said you’d be. Better yet, tell him Jonathan will take him and the girls out for breakfast.”

“What’s Jonathan doing now?” Dad’s voice at the door turns all our heads.

“Taking Walsh and the girls out for breakfast and maybe to the park,” Ma tells him, like it’s a done deal. “I’ll see if Hunter wants to join you, too.” She grabs her phone and dials Juliet’s number, leaving the kitchen for the conversation.

“Everything okay?” Dad glances between Tate and me, his vision landing on me.

“Ah, it will be. Eventually. But I’ll take a hug if any are up for grabs.”

“For you, Marina, always.” He wastes no time pulling me to my feet and circling his arms around me. I melt into his chest, his comfort and love seeping in deep. He holds me until I’m ready to leave his arms. “Glad to see your boy hasn’t completely replaced me.”

“Never, Daddy. No one will ever replace you.”

“Juliet and Hunter are on their way over. Tate, did you text Walsh?”

“He’s getting the girls ready and will meet Jonathan at the diner.”