Page 49 of The Body Checker
Do I think he should marry the mother of his child? Hell no. Why should they set themselves up for that kind of disaster, and in the end, it’s only going to hurt Daisy. Jonah will come to resent Shari, the same way my mom came to resent Dad after they had kids. Eventually she left to pursue dreams a family kept her from, and if hockey is Jonah’s true love, and he’s not ready for this, he just might end up leaving everyone behind, too.
I finish the last touches on the wall and stand back to admire the color. It’s bright, but I’m sure Daisy will love it. I wipe my hand across my forehead and drop the brush into the tray just as the downstairs door opens. My heart leaps into my throat. I’m anxious to hear how tonight went, but I’m also terrified. What if he does follow his parents’ advice? What if he comes up here and asks me to pack my things?
Why do I have to keep reminding myself we’re just having sex while playing house?
His footsteps are slow, and I sense his trepidation, like he’s not in a hurry to share the news with me. I suck in a breath and let it out slowly to prepare myself. I step into the hall to meet him and he’s rubbing the back of his neck as he comes close. Never a good sign.
“Hey,” I say, and he glances up. He smiles when he sees me, and my stomach flips. “You okay?” I ask, even though it’s clear he’s not.
He nods. “How is Daisy?” He looks at his bedroom door.
“Sleeping quietly. She had something to eat and her fever is coming down. I think she was just teething.” He nods, walks past me, and steps into the bedroom for a second to check on her, something any good father would do. My heart swells. He may not have been a natural with her, but the bond is growing and even without conscious thought, he’s putting her well-being first.
When he comes back out, his gaze rakes the length of me. “You’ve been painting?”
“I finished her room off. Come see. It looks great.”
We both step into the room a
nd he looks around, but it’s easy to tell he’s preoccupied. I want to ask what Shari wanted, but I bite my tongue. He turns back to me and the corners of his mouth curve. “You have paint on your face,” he says quietly, and wipes at my forehead.
“I know. I’m a mess,” I say. It’s true, I am a mess. In more ways than one.
He shoves his hands into his pockets, and his jeans ride low on his hips. “I was thinking about jumping into the pool. Do a few laps, cool down.”
I nod. “Okay.”
He arches a brow. “Join me?”
“I don’t have a suit.”
“You don’t need one. Back yard is private.” He glances over my shoulder and his hand captures mine. He’s in such a weird mood, I don’t know what to make of it. “We’ll take the baby monitor out with us, in case Daisy wakes.”
He guides me into the hallway and keeps his hand in mine as we make our way down the stairs. I grab the baby monitor, and we step out into the warm night. Jonah makes quick work of his clothes, and I admire his body, more tense than usual as he dives into the deep end and does a few fast laps. I undress, fold my clothes and place them on a chair, and make my way to the shallow end. I dip my toe in and shiver.
Jonah surfaces at the other end. “It’s cold,” I say, and he laughs.
“Not once you’re in.” I tentatively take the first step. “You have to the count of three, then I’m coming to get you.”
“You wouldn’t,” I yell, but I’m happy to see he’s his old playful self.
“Try me.”
Dammit, I know him well enough to know he’ll follow through. I hurry to the next step, and goose bumps break out on my skin.
“Time’s up.” Jonah dives under the water, and I track him as I take the third step. He comes up in front of me and I squeal. His arms go around me, and while he’s making me wet and cold, I don’t want to push him away.
His lips find mine, and he falls backward, kissing me as we both go under. I wrap my arms around him and hold on. We finally surface and both gasp for air.
“You okay?” I ask, and he shakes his head no.
Worry takes up residency in my gut as he dives back under and does a few more laps. I leave him be. He obviously needs space to think right now. He eventually comes up in front of me again, and wipes the water from his eyes.
“She wants us to be a family,” he says.
My heart falls into my stomach, and I take his hand and guide him to the steps.
“What did you tell her?”