The Way We Play (Bradford Boys #2)

Chapter 28

28

Rachel

“ I should go with you.” I’m standing in the center of Zane’s room, watching him pack. “I’ll just be pacing here, not knowing what’s going on, waiting to hear something.”

Edward’s asleep in his bed, and the whole house is quiet. My heart is beating too fast, and I feel panicky.

He pauses, frowning when he sees my expression. Stepping closer, he pulls me to him, wrapping his strong arms around me.

I’m surrounded by comfort, warm woods, and Zane. My eyes slide closed, and I hold him, doing my best to stave off the tears heating my eyes.

“Why won’t he leave us alone?” It’s a broken whisper.

Zane’s arms tighten gently, and he slides his hand up and down my back. “I’ll fix this. You won’t have to worry about him again.”

Releasing me, he steps to the closet for a suit, which he carefully places in his luggage. “We’ll FaceTime every day, and you can text me if you’re anxious. ”

“How long will you be gone?” I look up at him, and he smiles, sliding his thumb along my cheek.

“Depends on what Liv is able to do. A week? Maybe less.” Leaning down, he kisses me. “Now get in my bed and tell me goodbye properly.”

We spend the night together. He makes sweet love to me, easing my mind and helping me sleep, but morning comes too early. I’m back to fidgety standing with him beside Olivia’s Lexus, holding his sleeve and not wanting to let him go.

Liv is dressed in a casual red sweater and jeans, but her expression is no-nonsense. “I told Mom we’d be back by the end of the week. I need to see if we can get a judge to see things our way.”

When we chatted last night, she told me she’s worked as an oil and gas lawyer for eight years in the Steel City, but she’s looking to move closer to home now that her mother is getting older.

I learned she and Garrett dated all through high school and were pretty serious, but they broke up when they went to different colleges. Dylan said something about a husband, but she’s not wearing a wedding ring. She’s really tall, as well as smart and a bit fierce, but a hint of sadness sneaks out on certain words.

She squeezes my hand then walks around to get in her car.

Zane leans down to give me another kiss, sliding his tongue with mine before moving his lips to my temple and inhaling at the side of my head.

My fingers curl in the front of his shirt. “I still wish I was going with you.”

“Stay and take care of Eddie and Miss G and the kittens.” He kisses me once more. “Let me handle this.”

“Okay.” Our eyes meet once more, and he gives me one last kiss.

I stand waving as they take off up the road, and when they’re out of sight, I do my best to breathe through my anxiety.

It’s Monday morning, and everyone’s getting ready for school. Dylan has ballet class and Christmas program rehearsals. Edward’s going with me to Miss Gina’s today, and I walk slowly upstairs to be sure he’s awake.

He’s in his room, pulling on his They Might Be Giants tee, and I prop my hip against the door, watching him. He’s growing up. He’ll be thirteen before long, and I’m sure he’ll want more privacy.

We’re supposed to be finding our own place to live, although I kind of lost sight of that task in everything that’s happened.

“I was really proud of you last night. First place—wow.”

“I don’t think the other players practiced as much as I did.” He walks across the hall to the bathroom to brush his teeth. “Except Ben.”

“Your buddy Ben won second.”

He nods and spits, shutting off the water and crossing the hall again. “He’ll be first next year.”

“You’re not planning to play again?”

“I won’t be here.” He sits on his bed, picking up his dog-eared copy of The Outsiders .

My chest aches, and I walk over to stand beside him, placing my hand lightly on his back. “Zane has gone to Birmingham to try and fix this. Don’t worry.”

He nods, but his expression doesn’t change. “This place is magical.”

He says it so calmly, I’m curious. “What makes you say that?”

“Everyday I wear this shirt. It’s my favorite shirt because it’s my favorite band.”

“Right…”

I don’t know where he encountered They Might Be Giants. I never listened to them, but they’re quirky and funny. The shirt is two simple cartoon characters.

“Yet every day when I get up, it’s clean again.” He frowns looking down. “Yesterday, I got blue chalk on it at the tournament…”

Chewing my lip, I think it’s time I come clean, although I’m not sure if he’ll be angry or laugh or demand I stop. “What do you think is happening? ”

“Miss Dylan talks about fairies, and she says to knock wood so they don’t hear you say things.” His brow furrows. “I didn’t believe her.”

“It’s not fairies.” I sit beside him on the bed. “I bought three shirts just alike, and I’ve been swapping them out since we’ve been here.”

His lips twist, and his eyes are still on the hem of his tee. “You’re the fairy?”

“Zane would say I’m an angry pixie.”

“Like Tinkerbell in the Walt Disney movie?”

“I think that’s exactly what he meant.”

“I can see that.” He nods, standing off the bed, and turning to put the book in his pack. “I think he’s going to help us.”

“He always does.”

Zane

Liv knows her stuff. She hooked us up with a family lawyer who’s drawn up paperwork for Jay to sign.

If he will.

Zane

Leave that part to me.

I want to say don’t do anything illegal, but I won’t mean it.

Zane

I have other means of persuasion.

If you give him money, I’ll never be able to pay you back.

Zane

Just let me worry about that part. How’s Eddie, MG, and the kittens?

We all miss you. Me most of all.

Zane

I miss you, too, Pix. I miss your grape kisses.

Have to do yoga with MG. Something for later…

Leaning forward, I pull the middle of my shirt down with my thumb to give him a full shot of my breasts.

Zane

Damn, girl. I can’t meet my lawyer with a hard-on.

Come home soon, so I can help you with that.

Zane

Working on it, don’t worry. I love you.

I exhale a soft laugh, covering my smile with my hand before quickly tapping back my reply.

I love you.

Miss Gina’s usual smile is absent when I meet her for our gentle yoga class. “Have you heard from Zane?”

“He texted a minute ago. Liv has custody papers all ready, but getting Jayden to sign them is the trick.”

“Difficult family members can be so… upsetting.” Her face is lined. “I’m sorry you have to deal with this.”

“Sadly, it’s not the first time I’ve had to deal with my dad.”

We walk out to the vine-covered arch on the wooden platform overlooking the bay. She’s dressed in wide-legged linen pants and a long-sleeved shirt. I’m in a similar attire, wide-legged overalls with a long-sleeved tee under it.

I direct her through saluting the sun and waking up our core. Most of what we do is for balance and spatial orientation. We stretch out in warrior pose, but I can tell she’s distracted.

It’s a short flow, and we finish sitting in lotus pose, focusing on our breathing. Our hands are in the prayer position, and when I peek at her, her lips are twisted.

“Namaste,” I say, and she lowers her hands to her lap .

“Is that my friend Eddie?” A genuine smile eases the tension in her face for the first time all day.

“I tried to be quiet.” Edward walks to where we’re sitting.

He’s holding a tuxedo kitten in one hand and a black one in the other. “I think Duke is growing faster than his brothers.”

“Show me.” She holds out her hands, and he puts the two kittens in her lap, holding them still as she reaches down to pet their little bodies.

I scoot closer, sliding my finger along the top of the solid black one’s head. “They’re so cute.”

“Swiper is the tuxedo?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He touches her hand. “He’s this one. Duke is here. I think he and Smokey had the same father.”

“Duke is definitely bigger than Swiper.”

“I thought Smokey was growing faster because they were feeding him scraps at the restaurant, but he’s the same size.”

Miss Gina reaches out to squeeze my brother’s arm. “You take such an interest in things. Gloria said you’re an excellent helper with the horses as well.”

Eddie’s lips pull down, and he pets Swiper. “I’ll miss them when I’m gone.”

My heart aches, and I want to tell him he’s not going anywhere. I want to pull him to me and tell him not to worry. I’ll protect him like I always do.

“You’ll have to excuse me.” Miss Gina stands abruptly. “I just remembered I have an important phone call to make.”

She hands Duke to me and leaves us sitting on the platform. Eddie stands, slowly walking to where Skye is stretching in the sun, waking up from a day-long cat nap.

His shoulders are curved, and my throat hurts. I take out my phone again, sliding my finger across the screen to read Zane’s last text. Don’t worry. I love you.

I’ve been fighting for Edward and me for so long by myself. No one has ever had my back until now. It’s a new experience. Zane said this place is different.

Mom said I have the power to change what fate tries to throw at me and make a new path. I’ve lived my life believing I could do it, and I have to believe I still can, with the help of our new family.

We’ve found happiness here, a home, and I’m not going to let anything take that away.