Chapter 3
Three
Will
I glance at the clock just as the dryer finishes its cycle. I’m babysitting my granddaughter tonight, and I washed all of her bedding. Yes, she has her own room here at my place, and I want her favorite blanket to be nice and fresh.
I can’t help but smile, and I’m sure I look like a fool, but I couldn’t give a single fuck about that.
My daughter is back in my life, and with that comes my granddaughter.
I know it’s not making up for the times I missed with Bellamy as she got older, but I’m doing things right this time.
I’m not holding back, and I’m taking every opportunity that comes my way to be with my family.
Bellamy was a pre-teen when Candice and I divorced, so I got to raise her through her baby stage. So many things about Coral, her daughter, remind me of her when she was that age.
As I drop the freshly laundered blankets off in Coral’s room, my phone rings.
I jog downstairs, taking them two at a time to get my phone.
I really should have bought a smaller house, but I’m hoping Reid and Bellamy will have more grandkids to fill all these rooms. Besides, I would have bought a damn castle if it meant living closer and being an active part of their lives.
“Hello?”
“Dad?” Bellamy asks. “Are you okay?”
I chuckle. “Hey, sweetheart. I’m fine. I was upstairs, so I ran down the steps to grab my phone.”
“You could have called me back.” She laughs.
“I’ll always answer when you call,” I tell her. I don’t explain further, as she understands what I’m trying to tell her. There will never be a moment in my life when I don’t drop everything for her.
“I love you, Dad,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
I clear my throat. “I love you, too, Bella,” I say, my voice giving away the emotions her words cause.
“So, not to get all sappy on you and then ask for a favor, but I kind of have a favor to ask.” She chuckles.
“Ask away, sweetheart. You know if it’s within my power, I’ll do it.”
“I know you will. The past is behind us, Dad. Only happy moving forward. So, about that favor. As you know, we’re all going out to dinner tonight for Knox and Corie’s anniversary. We’ve all found sitters, but Amanda…” Her voice trails off.
“Mia will be great company for Coral,” I answer, and she exhales heavily.
“Are you sure? I know a two-year-old and an almost nine-month-old is a lot.”
“Meh, they’ll help keep each other entertained.”
“Thank you. I owe you one,” she says, and I can hear the relief in her voice. “I’m setting her up with a guy from Riggins Enterprises. She needs to start putting herself back out there.”
“It’s not even been a year yet,” I remind her.
When my divorce from her mother was final, it was a long damn time before I started dating again, even casually, but it became too much of a chore.
Those women wanted William Warner, the head coach of the Nashville Rampage.
Not the man. They wanted me as a status symbol, and it got old fast. I had a few casual hookups where we met up when the mood hit us, but even those have long since passed.
It’s been far longer than I’m willing to admit since I’ve been inside a woman.
I don’t need to be thinking about this while talking to my daughter.
“I know, but he was so cruel to her. It’s been over between them for a long time. I just want her to find happiness like I have. I want that for you, too, you know. I’ll talk to the girls and see if we can find you any prospects.”
I laugh. “Sweetheart, I have you and Coral, and even that son-in-law of mine you’re so fond of. I’m good, I promise you.”
Sure, I’d love to find someone to spend my life with, but that ship has long since sailed.
I’m a grandfather now, and that’s where I’m trying to focus all my time.
I’ve never had a good work-life balance, and the last couple of years, since Bellamy’s been back in my life, I’ve been trying my hardest not to let my job consume me.
At first, it was me striving to be more for my family. Then, after the divorce, my job was all I had. I have more to live for than football, and I’m damn well going to make sure I embrace that every single day.
“Thank you for doing this, Dad. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
“I’m calling Amanda now. I still have to talk her into this, but I wanted to make sure I covered all my bases before I tried.”
“Good plan. Let me know. You all still dropping off Coral around five?”
“Yes, we’re meeting everyone at six. Hopefully, Amanda and Mia will be with us.”
“Are you letting my granddaughter spend the night?”
“Do you want her to?”
“Of course, I do. How am I supposed to spoil her rotten before giving her back to you?” I huff out a laugh.
My daughter chuckles. “Fine. I’ll pack some extra clothes and things.”
“I have everything she needs here,” I remind her.
“Yeah. Thank you, Dad. I really appreciate this.”
The tension leaves her voice, and it makes my chest tighten in that familiar way. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her in my life.
“You enjoy a night out with your husband,” I tell her. “You both deserve it.”
Reid Montgomery, my son-in-law. I usually pretend to be annoyed with him, mostly out of habit.
A father’s allowed to mess with the man who took his little girl from him.
But the truth is, whenever I see the way he looks at my daughter, and now at my granddaughter, I don’t have an ounce of anger in me.
Not a scrap. That kind of love is unmistakable.
It’s steady. It’s patient. It’s the kind you build a life on.
Reid loves them. Both of them. And he’s a good man.
If there was anyone my daughter could have fallen in love with, I’m glad it was him.
It’s the kind I thought I once had, but clearly, I was wrong.
I have nothing but fondness for my ex-wife, but in my heart, she doesn’t feel like the one who got away.
It’s just fond memories and respect for the woman who gave me my daughter.
We were young, and sometimes, life just doesn’t work out the way you expect.
After a few more reassurances and another round of goodbyes, we end the call.
I lower the phone and glance around the quiet house, already imagining it filled with toys, laughter, and the occasional chaos that comes with a small child.
Coral knows she rules the house when she’s here, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And Mia, she’s a sweetheart, with her bright eyes and a laugh that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Coral has always loved to help, and I have no doubt the two of them will keep each other occupied.
Coral’s got that nurturing streak, the same one her mother had at that age.
I know she’ll be thrilled to have Mia all to herself, even if just for the evening.
I set the phone down and let out a small chuckle to myself. It’s two adorable little girls.
How hard can it be?
At five o’clock on the dot, their car pulls into the drive.
I don’t even pretend I haven’t been waiting for them.
Instead, I rush to the door, pulling it open and stepping out onto the porch.
Reid waves, before dipping into the back seat to grab Coral, while Bellamy slings her bag over her shoulder and starts her way to the front door.
“Couldn’t talk her into it?” I ask, taking the bag from her shoulders as soon as she’s close enough that I can reach it.
“Actually, I did. She should be right behind us. She’s going to try to talk you out of keeping both girls,” Bellamy warns me.
“I’m the head coach of a professional football team.
I think I can hold my own.” I chuckle as Reid joins us, and I push open the door, allowing them to step inside.
As soon as the door closes, I’m reaching for my granddaughter, Coral, who squeals with delight as she leans over for me to take her from her dad’s arms.
“I think someone is excited.” Reid laughs.
“We both are,” I reply, kissing Coral on the cheek. She rests her head on my shoulder and snuggles close, and my heart melts.
Before I can reply, we hear Amanda pull up. “I’m going to go help her.” Reid kisses Bellamy’s temple and rushes back outside to help Amanda with Mia.
“I’ll deny it if you repeat it, but you found yourself a good one,” I tell Bellamy.
“I really did.” She smiles, and I love how it lights up her entire face. For far too long, those smiles when I was around were few and far between, but now, they’re something I’m constantly on the receiving end of.
Reid steps inside with Mia in his arms, and Amanda right behind him.
“Hey, cutie pie,” I say to Mia. She flashes me a grin and reaches for me. Coral is on board with this new development and offers Mia her hand. I open my arm, and Reid passes her to me. The girls giggle, and it makes my smile grow.
“Amanda, how are you?” I ask her.
“I’m okay. Are you sure you’re up for this? Both of them are a lot.”
Bellamy leans her shoulder into mine, reminding me that her friend would try to get out of going tonight.
“Are you kidding? Between my activity roster and the practice team, I keep nearly seventy adult children in line every day. These two little beauties will be a piece of cake,” I assure her.
“He’s not wrong.” Reid nods, a smile tilting his lips.
“You’re not getting out of this,” Bellamy warns her best friend.
Amanda nods before her eyes find mine. They’re a gorgeous shade of green, filled with unease. “Thank you, Will,” she says softly.
“Anything special I should know? Allergies? Routines?”
“She loves her soft blanket at bedtime. She usually crashes by eight. We’ll be back by then, right?” She turns toward Bellamy.
“Nope. Dinner at six, and drinks after,” she says, looping her arm through Amanda’s.
“Reid, grab my phone, will ya? Text Amanda my number. You can call and check on her as many times as you want, but I promise you we’ll be fine.”
She nods and stands a little taller, as if my words have given her comfort.