“East, how are you, son?”
“Good, just leaving the airport.”
“That’s why I’m calling. You had three damn good games.”
“Did Mark tell you that?” I tease. It’s a running joke in our family that Uncle Mark loves the game more than Dad. He could have gone pro but had a knee injury that kept him in the dugout.
“Very funny, smartass.” He laughs good-naturedly. “So, what’s up? Your mom mentioned she hasn’t talked to you much lately.”
I don’t even hesitate to tell him. “I met someone.”
“Tell me more.” I can imagine him sitting back in his chair, propping his legs up on his desk.
“She’s gorgeous and sweet, and she has a little girl. She’s four.”
“Have you met her?”
“Yeah, we’ve hung out a few times. Great kid.”
“Not that you need the reminder, but as your father, that’s my job. There are three hearts at stake here, Easton.”
“I know that, Dad. Trust me, I do. I also know that my heart… it races anytime she’s near,” I confess.
“This sounds all too familiar to me,” he says with a laugh.
“When did you know?” I ask him. “When did it hit you that Mom and I were what you wanted?”
“I knew the night I met her. I hadn’t met you yet, but you’re an extension of her, and I never stood a chance not to love either one of you.”
“I’m in deep, Dad.”
“Of course you are. You’re a Monroe. That’s how we do it, all-in. When do we get to meet them? And you need to call your mother,” he chastises.
I laugh. “Soon, I hope. I’ll call Mom, I promise.”
“Good. Take care, son.”
“You too and, Dad…” I pause, giving my words the attention they need. “I love you.”
“Love you too, son.” I can hear the emotion in his voice before the line goes dead. Jeff Monroe is the type of man I want to be. He loves us unconditionally, and that’s what I want to do for my girls. I want to take the worry from Larissa’s eyes and replace it with the carefree happiness I’ve only seen a glimpse of. I want to be at Paisley’s games and scare the shit out of her dates when they come to pick her up when she’s thirty. I can see our future, picture it in my mind. I just need Ris to catch up.
When I pull into the driveway, her SUV is already there. I hit the button on the garage door and pull in, opening the second door as well. When I climb out of my truck, I motion for her to pull in.
“Why?” she asks, rolling down her window.
“Just humor me.”
She rolls those big green eyes and shakes her head, but she pulls into the second bay. I head to the back to help Paisley out of her seat, but she beats me to it. “I didn’t think you would ever get here,” she says in a sassy yet cute way only she can pull off.
“I know. I was gone forever,” I agree with her. I, too, feel as though it took me forever to get them here. To be home with them.
“Your house is really big,” Paisley says, latching onto my hand.
“You think so?” I ask her, and she nods.
Larissa climbs out, and without thinking, I snake my free hand around her waist and pull her into me, placing a quick kiss to her lips. “I missed you,” I whisper.
“What about me?” Paisley asks. “Did you miss me? I didn’t get a kiss,” she points out.
Bending, I pick her up in my arms, settle her on my hip, and kiss her on the cheek. “I missed both of you.” I tickle her sides, causing her to laugh. “Come on, ladies, the pool is calling our name.”
“I gots a game tonight, so I can’t get too tired, right, Mommy?” Paisley asks.
“That’s right, sweetie. I say we swim and then maybe catch a nap?”
“I don’t like naps,” Paisley grumbles.
“Really?” I ask her, a schooled expression on my face. “I love naps. I would nap every single day if I could.”
“You do?” Her eyes are wide.
“Sure. Everyone loves naps.”
“Will you take one with me?” she asks.
“Of course I will. We can all take a nap after our swim. How does that sound?”
“Really good,” she agrees. I smile over at Larissa, and she just shakes her head.About an hour of splashing around in the pool, and I can tell Princess Paisley is wearing down. “I’m tired,” I say, faking a yawn, covering my mouth.
“Yeah, me too,” she says, mimicking me.
“What do you say we take that nap?”
“Yeah, Mommy, you ready for a nap?” she asks Larissa.
“I think so.” Larissa stretches in her barely-there bikini. It’s really uncomfortable to be sporting wood and playing in the pool with a four-year-old. I had to keep my distance from her mother. That’s all I need to do is traumatize Paisley for life. Her mother on the other hand….