Page 103 of Payoff Pitch
“Ooh. Do tell. How are things on that front?”
I consider my words for a brief moment. “I have feelings for her, but I know I’m not the long-term guy for her. We’re having fun while it lasts.”
I hate the pain in my gut at saying those words out loud. I don’t want her with anyone else, but it’s inevitable. I can’t give her what she needs.
He winks. “We’ll see.”
“We might have issues sooner rather than later. Fallon found out about us and blew a gasket.”
His eyes widen. “Oh shit. What happened?”
“It was out in Colorado when everything went down with Bailey’s mom. We didn’t really get a chance to talk about it. Fallon and Harper get back tomorrow. I’m in for it. Wish me luck.”
He pats my back. “Good luck, buddy. You’re gonna need it.”
I’mat the airport baggage area waiting for Fallon, Harper, and Dylan. As soon as Harper sees me, she takes off in a dead sprint and leaps into my waiting arms.
I squeeze her tight and pepper kisses all over her face. “I missed you, bug.”
She giggles. “I missed you too, Daddy.” She wipes her face. “Stop kissing me.”
“Never. Did you have fun?”
She nods. “Yes. Mommy took us back to make our own steaks four times.” She holds up four fingers.
“Four times? I hope you ate some veggies with all those steaks.”
“I did. Bailey says veggies are important for athletes, and I’m an athlete.”
I look up at Fallon at the mention of Bailey’s name, but she remains fairly stoic. I can’t get a read on her mood. She’s a foot shorter than me and weighs half of what I weigh yet I’m terrified of her.
Trevor walks into the baggage claim area, and Dylan runs into his waiting arms. “Daddy!”
He smiles as he hugs her. “We missed you, firecracker. Life is bo-ring without the famous Dylan Knight to add some color.”
She nods and dances in his arms as she sings, “’Cause the party don’t start ‘til I walk in.”
He winks at her before he holds out his hand for me. “Thanks to you both for having her. I hope she wasn’t as much trouble as her mother is.”
The girls giggle, and I smile. “No trouble at all. She’s a great skier.”
He nods. “With my father originally being from Colorado, skiing has always been a part of our lives, though Cassandra prefers the hot tub to the slopes.”
Dylan smiles. “The hot tub is awesome.”
Fallon gives a big, fake smile. “I know Tanner loves it.”
Yep, I knew that was coming.
An hour later, I’m pulling into Fallon’s house. Harper is coming home with me, but we’re dropping Fallon at home first.
She turns back to Harper. “Daddy is going to help me bring in my suitcase and we have to talk about your party this weekend. He’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Harper doesn’t even look up from her book as she wordlessly nods and throws a few Skittles into her mouth.
I carry Fallon’s bags inside and run them up to her bedroom. As I walk back down, I cover my balls with myhand, bracing for impact. “Give it to me. I’m ready to be kicked.”
She lets out a laugh. “I’m not going to kick you in the balls. I’m not the bad guy here, Tan.”