11. Jameson #3
“Do not get that look with me, Kane.” Sam’s eyes flare like she knew exactly where my thoughts were going. “I’m an adult. It wasn’t the best decision, but I didn’t know I’d feel like this after the game either.”
“It's dark out,” I remind her through gritted teeth. We’re both staring and I’m trying my hardest to bat down every urge I have toward this woman. We’re not there yet, not where I can put my lips or my hands on her in any way despite my need to do so.
Braysen chuckles and drops down to Dylan’s level. “Are they always like this?”
Dylan giggles and I take a shuddering breath. “Can I drive you home at least? It's dark and it's gotten cold. You shouldn’t carry your bag on that shoulder.”
Sam’s gaze wavers and I see the small sliver of reluctance cross her face. Until she glances down at our daughter and Braysen. “Yeah, I would like that.”
We walk outside together, my hand holding Dylan’s while Braysen and Sam talk quietly.
I can’t hear exactly what they’re saying, but it sounds like he made plans to treat her to breakfast tomorrow.
At my truck, I load up Sam’s bag and get Dylan in her car seat.
Braysen hugs Sam again, and she gets in the passenger seat.
“Meet you back at your place?” he asks, and I tilt my head at him, staring him down. Braysen laughs quietly under his breath and holds his hands up in surrender. “Just as a friend. If it makes you feel better, you can join us for breakfast as well.”
“I’ll buy her breakfast. You can just be there as a side prop.”
He shakes his head and wipes his hand down his face. “Damn. It's like high school.” He turns to leave and heads to his car. “See you at home, Kane.”
Once he starts his car up, I get in the driver seat and start up my engine. My eyes find Dylan in the back seat and she’s looking ready to conk out. My lips twitch in the soft smile reserved for my little one.
“She’s beat,” Sam agrees with what I’m thinking. I turn and find her glancing over her shoulder at our girl as well. My eyes flick over Sam’s features, taking in the love her eyes hold for Dylan.
“Let's get her home,” I say and pull onto the road. We make it a mile into the drive when Dylan’s head falls forward, and she is sleeping like a rock. Sam chuckles and takes a picture.
“I’ll send it to you.”
I glance at her. “Thank you.”
Sam inhales and exhales loudly before addressing the elephant in the space. “Braysen came.”
My hand tightens on the wheel, but I school my features and shrug. “He visits me when he can. It's easier for him to come to me with Dylan instead of driving to Wisconsin.”
“He looked good. Mature. I missed so much,” she says shakily. My hand reaches for hers before I can talk myself out of it.
“They get it, Sammy. Braysen, Luca, they both get it. And they let you take the time you needed to adjust to life as a new mom. But they love Dylan. They like being her uncles.”
Her shoulders shake and tears streak down her cheeks. “I never wanted to push them away. It was just–they were your friends. I wanted you to have people. I couldn’t handle it if they were disappointed in me.”
Fuck. I always knew it. We were close, the four of us. I knew Sam wouldn’t cut them out and drive them away for no reason. Granted, her reason is shit, just like all her other beliefs, but the situation is delicate. I’m not exactly a saint in the whole mess either.
“They love you, Sammy. They get it. You don’t have to freeze them out anymore. We’re okay. We’re here.” I rush to reassure her, calming myself down as well.
Her head leans back against the headrest and her eyes close briefly. “Thank you, Jameson.”
“Don’t thank me, babe.” I shake my head with a chuckle. “You already know I’ll do anything for you. You and Dylan.”
Sam is quiet the rest of the drive, but she never takes her hand out of mine. My truck pulls into her parking lot, and I jump out, helping get Dylan unbuckled. My little pretty girl never stirs, except to clasp her tiny arms around my neck. Sam reaches for her bag and stick, but I stop her.
“Take Dyl. I’ll grab your bag.”
Sam grabs Dylan from me, settling her little body against her front and hustles inside to get her out of the cold.
I follow them into the building and up to Sam’s apartment.
Thanks to the thumb reader, Sam is able to get in without jostling Dylan.
I follow her inside and place her bag down, opening it up to air it out, and putting her stick against the wall.
Sam watches, her body swaying side to side, keeping our girl lulled to sleep.
I stalk over to them and press a kiss to my baby’s head.
“Night, Dyl. I love you.”
Sam’s lips part in a soft smile and our eyes catch. “Good game tonight, Sam. You still skate like a dream.”
Her cheeks pinken from the praise. “Thanks for being there. And for bringing her.”
“Anytime,” I tell her and press a kiss to her forehead. Sam goes still and her lips part slightly. “Night, Sam.”
Without giving her the chance to speak or to overthink, I turn and leave.