Current Day

Jocelyn throws her head back in laughter at whatever Lacey said. Their voices carry over the hum of the restaurant, and it’s a fucking glorious sight.

“If you don’t stop staring, I’m going to have to call the stalker police.” With words only meant for my ears, Zach leans back in his seat, his mouth cocked in a half smile.

“Shut up. I haven’t been staring.” For too long. And to prove Zach’s point, my eyes flick back to her. Her sun-kissed skin practically glows against the white sleeveless dress. No doubt the Florida sunshine agrees with her, but that’s not what makes her beautiful. It’s that genuine smile. The one that trapped me the very first day I met her.

Jocelyn rubs the back of her neck and meets my gaze. The mischievous gleam in her eyes awakens every desire as my body comes to attention. Damn, it’s so good to have the old Jocelyn back.

“You’re a worthless cause.” Zach shakes his head and laughs. “What do you think about our team’s chances this year? Think we have a shot at a repeat?”

“Repeats are tough, but I like our odds. We have the same core people, and with the addition of Drake, and that extra starter they picked up during the winter meetings, I think we’ll go pretty far.”

“I’m itching to start, but I hate leaving my family. It’s going to be a long six weeks.”

I take in the scene playing in front of me. Signs of Disney adorn the kids’ heads. Tristan, who’s busy working the various puzzles on the menu, sports his Mickey Mouse Ear Hat. Trenna and Zoe wear their Minnie Mouse Ears Headbands. The girls are content, coloring on the backside of the paper menu, while the two youngest eat the pudding Jocelyn smuggled in. Or should I say, wear it? I had no idea how messy kids were until Melanie entered my life. This past month especially, I’ve gotten close to these kids. Even Trenna has come around. Who knew colorful Sharpies would be her breaking point? I cringe at the thought of her showing me her makeup skills. Turns out, you aren’t supposed to give permanent markers to kids. My bad. Her poor dolly fell victim to my lack of knowledge. But I learned. And I learned real fast that I’m going to miss them.

“I know exactly what you mean.” My mouth dries, so I take a drink of tea.

These six weeks will be the longest six weeks of my life. I’m ready to get on the field. I’m ready to smash the ball out of the park. But I’m not ready to put my relationship with Jocelyn on hold.

“It gets easier,” Zach says.

I shut my eyes momentarily before popping them back open. “I’m not worried.”

“Pfft. I totally believe that.” His words are barely audible since he’s laughing so hard.

“Daddy, I drew you a picture.” Zoe hands Zach what could only be described as a rainbow puking on paper.

“Oh, sweetheart, that’s…lovely.”

“I drew you one too.” Trenna’s eyes shine as she hands me her picture.

“Trenna, this is”—I clear my throat to not get choked up—“really good. Thanks.” Out of the two girls, if any were going to possess artistic skills, I’d say it was my girl.

“Oh, let me see.” Jocelyn gets out of her chair and hovers over my shoulder.

In the picture, five stick people are at the beach. The three smaller figures have black round humps on their head, which I assume are mouse ears. The two larger figures hold hands, but the taller one has a red blotch on his head. Jesus, is that blood? It looks like the top of my head has been pulverized.

“That’s you!” She points to the red massacre.

Damn, this little girl wants to kill me. I thought we were getting closer.

As I start to worry about a five-year-old’s homicidal tendencies, Jocelyn asks, “What’s the red circles?”

“His Phillies cap!”

I never knew a little girl could bring me to my knees. This right here makes the whole trip worth it. Jocelyn turns to me with tears in her eyes, and I’m glad to be the one to give them this.

“Did you draw anything, Tristan?”

He tilts his head toward Jocelyn and scrunches his nose. “No. Coloring is for girls.”

Jocelyn rears back in surprise. “For girls? But you like to color.”

“No, I don’t. Daddy says coloring is for sissies. And since sissy is a girl, they’re for girls.”

I’m thankful for his lack of knowing slang, but damn that Carl. I catch Lacey shooting Zach a disgusted look. I think her tolerance for Carl is about as low as mine.

“Well, crayons aren’t gender specific. I know many artists who are males.” Jocelyn stands straighter and crosses her arms. “Daddy’s wrong.”

I have no say so in the matter, but I really hate it when the kids go to their father’s house. Sure, we get alone time, which I appreciate, but it’s hard telling what he feeds their minds. What he tells them about me. The kids’ and my relationship may have grown, but nothing has improved between Carl and me. That guy has hated me ever since Sociology 101, and other than dating Jocelyn, I have no clue as to why.

“I love to color, Tristan. What do you think I do while I’m away from home?” Zach winks at Zoe, and she shakes her head, her blonde curls bobbing from side to side.

“Oh, Daddy.” Zoe flips toward her mom. “Tell Daddy to stop embawason me.”

That earns a few laughs, but the tightness remains in Jocelyn’s expression.

“Excuse me. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

“Need company?” Lacey asks.

“No, I’ll be okay.”

I frown but let her go. A tall blonde with long curly hair steps behind her, and I lose sight of her as both of them disappear toward the bathrooms.

This vacation has been great, but Jocelyn and I haven’t had any alone time like I hoped. She did warn me, but I figured once the kids were asleep we’d have some time. I couldn’t be more wrong. Trenna absolutely refuses to stay in their bedroom. That cut out any snuggling time. They leave tomorrow, and I’m dying for a proper goodbye. I don’t see that happening.

“I think you surprised her with the parasailing today.” Lacey interrupts my thoughts. “She talked nonstop about it.”

“Thanks for watching the kids.” It may have taken me ten years to tick another line item off, but I got it done.

“Of course.”

I debate asking her to watch them tonight for a couple of hours, but that’d be shitty of me. Besides, I do want to spend time with the kids. Jocelyn won’t be the only person I’ll miss.

When the woman who has taken over every thought of my brain rejoins the table, her expression is still tight. She smiles at the kids but averts her eyes when it comes to me. What is that about? Lacey raises an eyebrow, but Jocelyn waves her off. Did she call her ex in the bathroom and get into an argument?

“Do you think this will be AJ’s last year with the team?” Zach asks.

With Jocelyn answering Lacey’s questions, I drop my concern for the moment and focus on Zach. “As much as I hate to admit it, I think it will be. Which sucks. He’s a great teammate and roommate for that matter. Although I could do less with the wild chicks he brings home. I never know who’ll greet me in the kitchen when I wake up. The last one refused to leave. She hung around the entire day. I thought he was going to lose his shit.”

Zach chuckles right as a swish of red catches my eyes. The blonde who followed behind Jocelyn walks by, and my gaze automatically sweeps to her face. She winks, and a sudden coldness hits at the core. I know her. Sort of. She’s the girl from the Arti’s Bar who claims to know me. What the hell is she doing here in Florida? I automatically look at Jocelyn, who meets my gaze dead on. Sure, now she pays attention. And if her glassy stare is anything to go by, she’s none too happy.