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“I wanted you to stay out of trouble.” A dog yips in the background, and I have a hard time envisioning Jeremy with a small yappy dog. “You still going to that party tonight?”
I walk through my living room, grab the remote and shut off the game Gavin had been playing. “Yeah, why?”
“Because it’s my job to make sure you keep your endorsements.”
“Doing my best.”
“Have fun, and I’ll talk to you later.”
I frown. “What the hell was that all about?” I mumble to myself as I end the call. Harper pokes her head in.
“You talking to yourself in here?”
I quickly shove my phone into my pocket as she steps up to me, a curious look on her face.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
“Ah, yeah, I think.”
She smooths her hands over my dress shirt and looks like she’s about to say something else, but closes her mouth when Gavin comes running in. “Mommy, why can’t Holden and I stay here?”
“Because your babysitter doesn’t live around here, which means you’re going to sleep in your own bed tonight so she can watch you.”
“Why can’t I live here?” he asks, and her face falls as she ruffles the Shooters hat on Gavin’s head. It has jelly stains on it, but he won’t take it off to get washed. He sleeps in the thing.
“Because we have our own home.” She taps his nose. “I told you, we’re only staying here for a bit, because I hurt my ankle and Liam is helping out. Now get your stuff. The babysitter will be at our place soon, and I’ll be saving a big piece of this cake for you and Holden.”
“But—”
“Gavin,” Harper warns, and when he grumbles, I pipe up, unable to handle the sad look on his face. I’m going to be such a pushover when I’m a dad. That thought makes me laugh, because until these two, I never gave much consideration to it before, assuming that women want the Rule Breaker, not the guy I really am.
“Hey, wait a second.” I go to the hall closet to grab another hat for Holden. Gavin’s eyes light up.
Gavin wraps his hands around my waist and gives me a big hug. “Thanks Liam. I wish you could be my daddy.”
My pulse jumps, and I swallow, not knowing how to answer that. It breaks my fucking heart to think his father left without a backward glance. I drop to one knee, and give him a little nudge on the chin. “I’m your big brother,” I say.
“I know, but—”
“Gavin, grab your bag,” Harper says, cutting him off and he drags his feet when he goes back to the kitchen. Harper sucks in a little breath. “Sorry about that.”
“Yeah,” is all I say, my brain taking a moment to consider what it would be like to be Gavin’s father. Problem is, I’m not really seeing a downside. Jesus, what the hell is wrong with me?
She gives a big sigh. “Maybe staying here wasn’t such a great idea. I mean my ankle—”
“No,” I say quickly, maybe too quickly judging by the look on her face. “It’s just for a little while longer, before I head to training.”
She frowns, and I want to grab her and kiss her until she’s smiling again, but I can’t, not with Gavin walking back into the room. I brush my knuckles against hers and her body physically reacts, and I like that I can do that to her.
She gives me a wobbly smile. “As long as we’re not in your way.”
“Not in my way,” I say, and wink to lighten things. “I like all the perks.” She rolls her eyes. “What, don’t you?”
“You know I do,” she says quietly, then claps her hands. “Okay let’s get this show on the road.” She grabs the cake and we all head outside.
The second we hit the driveway, I know something isn’t right. I glance up and see the news van, and a reporter coming our way as the cameraman captures footage of us all.
“Liam, can I have a minute of your time?”
