Page 58 of Asher
“You think this is funny?” I asked over my shoulder in a low voice.
“Yeah. That was nothing. You should’ve seen what she was doing yesterday.”
“What was she doing yesterday?”
“I’ll tell you later,” she said and skated past me. The urge to grab her hand and tug her back against my chest hit me hard. She gave Nix a hug and then promptly stole Knox from Mason.
I kneeled in front of Nix and pulled her into a hug. “We’re going to talk about this later.”
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m your dad. I’m not supposed to be fun.” I tickled her sides making her squirm and pull away. She ran over to the couch where Haley sat with Knox, my chest tightening at the sight of the three of them together.
Haley was a natural. The soft smile on her face as she ran a finger along Knox’s cheek made me ache. Would she want that one day?
Could I do that again?
Would I lose her if we did?
The ball in my chest grew and it was harder to breath.Fuck.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I attempted to pull in a deep breath. “Where’s mom?” I asked Mason as I sat beside Haley, resting my hand on the back of the couch behind her. Goosebumps popped up as I circled the pad of my finger on her bare shoulder. Glancing over at me, the corners of her eyes crinkled in happiness as she continued to talk to Rylie.
“Can you and Daddy have a baby?” Nix asked Haley, and I started coughing. Mason laughed startling Knox awake. Another wave of anxiety squeezed at my chest.
“Um.” Haley bit her lip, the indecision of how to answer clear in her expression.
“I think that’s a conversation for another time.” I cut in and Phoenix shrugged before asking Rylie if she could hold the baby.
“How about after dinner, sweetheart?” Rylie suggested. “Grandma just texted me that they’re ten minutes away.”
Haley kissed Knox on the head before standing and handing him over to Rylie. “What can I do?”
“Food is pretty much done. We just have to set everything out and Mason and Asher need to grill the chicken.” She gave Mason a sweet smile.
Mason chuckled and smacked her ass. “Sure thing. Do we want to eat out on the deck or in here?” He asked as he walked backward toward the door.
“Outside? It’s nice out today,” Rylie said.
“I’ll grab the salads.” Haley rubbed her hand gently over Knox’s little head before walking around the island to the fridge.
“Thank you,” Rylie said, slowly walking toward the stairs. “I’m going to put him down and grab the monitor.”
I ruffled Phoenix’s hair. “Nix why don’t you go play for minute in the backyard. I think Uncle Mason set up a swing.”
“Really?” Her voice rose happily as she booked it toward the door leading out onto the deck. The screen door shut behind her and I wasted no time stalking toward Haley. Gripping her hips, I pulled her back flush with my chest. Using one hand, I moved her blonde hair to the side, running my nose along the side of her neck before pressing my lips right below her ear.
Her head fell back against my shoulder as I moved one hand to the front of her stomach. My finger dipped just below the waistband of her jeans, making her groan. “You’re going to get us caught.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.” She reached up and patted my cheek. Her fingers flexed against the scruff lining my jaw, driving me insane. “I want to tell them and not just get caught making out like a teenager in the back of their mom’s car at the park.”
“I would totally make out with you in the back of my mom’s car.” I turned my head, placing a kiss to her palm before releasing her. Rylie walked down the stairs and eyed us suspiciously as I grabbed a plate of chicken out of the refrigerator. Turning toward Haley, I winked and then walked out the door.
Ten minutes later, we sat around Mason’s patio table talking about the upcoming spring game and next year’s team when my parents walked in through the side gate. My mom gave Phoenix, Rylie and Haley quick hugs before moving to me. Instead of getting the hug I was expecting, she whacked me on the back of the head.
Hard.