Page 97 of Tough Love
I lean against the end of the kitchen counter, watching them interact with a smile. It’s nice, knowing Briar has this male influence in his life, a positive one, agoodone. I couldn’t ask for a better role model if I tried.
“I had a busy, busy day,” Evan answers Briar as he sets him down. “Lots of people to tell off today.”
“That’s not good.”
“No, it’s not.” He points a mock stern finger at Briar. “Promise me you’ll never be one of them, okay?”
Briar straightens his back, chest puffed out. “I promise.”
“Awesome. High five.”
The guys slap palms, and Briar ditches the conversation in favour of his colouring again.
“How was your day?” Evan asks as he stops toe to toe with me.
“Good. I just sent off the forms.”
His hand slips around the back of my neck, and he places a kiss to my forehead. “You’ll do fine. They wouldn’t have any reason to deny you.”
“It’s not that I’m worried about,” I admit. “What if they don’t revoke Tristan’s rights and I end up doing this dance over and over?”
“Again. Not likely.” He pointedly glances at Briar. “But we’ll talk about it more later, huh?”
“Yeah, of course.”
I lean into him, placing the side of my face against his chest. His fingers run along the length of my ponytail, flicking it out before he repeats the action. It’s nice, this feeling of contentment. I don’t feel as though wehaveto be talking all the time, more that it’s okay to justbe.
He steps away and collects his bag, taking it through to the bedroom to change and put his uniform in the wash. I follow, taking a seat on the foot of the bed, and smile like a giddy schoolgirl as he strips off his boots, blue shirt, and pants, so all he’s left in are his boxers.
“You know, you could just stay like that. I’m sure Briar wouldn’t mind, and I’m certainly not complaining.”
He smirks, stalking toward me with a hungry look in his eye. “Maybe later, huh?”
“Yeah.” I flop back on the bed, frustrated. “Got to keep some sort of standards with a kid in the house, right?”
“Exactly.” He leans down over top of me, holding his weight on his hands. “Still, nothing wrong with doing this.”
Evan’s lips meet mine, and I instinctively reach for his face, relishing the prickle of his stubble beneath my palm.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I murmur against his lips.
He pulls back, sighing.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s my weekend to have Deacon.” He shifts, taking a seat next to me on the bed. “I forgot to tell you earlier in the week.”
Of course.“I totally didn’t even think about that. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He looks down at me, apology in his eyes. “I don’t want to leave you two alone though. Maybe I should call Birdie.”
“Nonsense. Just bring him here.”
Evan chews on his bottom lip, his gaze moving between my eyes. “Babe, I don’t want you to think I’m ashamed of you or anything stupid; I just don’t want to confuse things for Deacon, or Briar.”
Why would it be confusing? Unless … He hasn’t said it, but the implication’s there. Only somebody who was worried about a relationship not lasting would say that. Does he think I’m not one hundred percent with him? Does he think there’s a doubt?
Maybehe’sthe one who isn’t sure.