Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 28062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
I turn and give him a high-five. Thank God for the interruption because if Dolly and I continued this conversation, I would have embarrassed myself even more than I already have. “I saw it, and it was awesome! You did great, Ace.”
Dolly chimes in with her own high-five and hug. “You did awesome, Ace.”
He’s smiling ear to ear. “I love this team. We have our first game next week.”
I put a hand on Ace’s shoulder. “That’s great, Ace, and you know I’m going to try and be at every practice and every game, but when I’m working, Dolly is going to watch you—” I cut myself off with a laugh. “I mean, not that you need a babysitter, but she’s going to make sure you get back and forth to practice.”
He looks between Dolly and me with a huge smile on his face. Dolly still looks stunned, and I’m sure it’s from my admission earlier. “Really? Yes!” he says, jumping up and down. “Dad, can we eat pizza for dinner tonight?”
“Sure!” I answer him. “I’ll race you to the car.”
Ace takes off running as I grab Dolly’s chair, fold it up, and hold it under my arm. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”
Dolly is watching Ace as he runs across the grass. “Uh, I can’t tonight. I’m going out for drinks with some friends.”
Instantly I want to ask her about her night, but I realize I’ve already looked like a controlling, obsessed asshole. I shouldn’t question her. I should let her go about her business. She’s younger than me, and she deserves a night out. As we’re walking toward the parking lot, one of the moms stops in front of me. Dolly tries to keep walking, and I don’t know why I do it, but I reach for her hand and thread our fingers together.
The woman, I think her name is Josie, says, “Tucker, can I talk to you for a minute?”
I pull Dolly against my side. “Sure.”
Josie looks between Dolly and me. “Well, uh, I was wondering if you’d like to bring Ace over for a playdate. The kids can play, and we can get to know each other.”
I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I put an arm around Dolly’s shoulder. “What do you think, honey? A playdate with...” I look at Josie. “I’m sorry, what’s your son’s name?”
Dolly answers for her. “Tate. Uh, I’m sure Ace would love that. Maybe at the next practice, we can talk out the details.”
The woman is stunned by the turn of events. She doesn’t back out, but she does nod her head and then practically trips over herself to get away. As soon as Dolly and I are alone, I point to her car. “Unlock it, and I’ll put your chair in the back.”
She does as I ask, and I put the chair into the trunk of her car. I shut the door and walk up to where she and Ace are standing. Ace is trying to talk her into having dinner with us.
“I wish I could, buddy, but I have plans with friends, and I don’t feel right breaking them last minute.”
Ace takes it well. “Okay. Are you coming to my practice this weekend?”
She nods, still avoiding my gaze. “Yes, I’ll be here.”
They hug, and I put a hand on Ace’s shoulder. “Right, well, I guess I’ll talk to you later, Dolly.”
She nods, and I walk around to open her car door for her. “Don’t forget.”
She stops next to her car. “Forget what?”
I lean in. “Don’t forget that you promised you’d call me if you need anything.”
Her eyes light up, and she looks at me questioningly. “You meant that?”
I chuckle, sensing that she’s playing with me, but I still remind her, “I meant everything I said tonight, and you promised.”
She smiles. “You’re right. I promised. I’ll call you.”
She gets into her car, and I shut the door. I would stand here and watch her drive away if my son wasn’t shaking with excitement. “Dad, let’s go! I’m starving.”
I pull out my phone. “Come on, Ace. I’ll order some pizza, and you can eat a slice on the way home.”
As soon as I place the order, all I can think about is Dolly and how I wish she was here with Ace and me. I miss her when she’s not with us.
CHAPTER 4
DOLLY
I pull my cell phone from my pocket and sit on the couch.
When I was out earlier, I received a text from Tucker asking me to call him when I got home.
It’s not uncommon for us to talk on the phone, but this seems different. Hell, since he admitted that he doesn’t trust himself around me earlier, it’s felt different. I’m still not sure what to make of that, but I’m not going to put much weight into it.