Chapter 20 #2
"That's my boy," he said, pointing at Paxton with the partial biscuit, his voice proud and loving.
Paxton shook his head as he pulled out a chair for me. I startled at the move, but when he gave me a look so Daddy-like it nearly sent me into Little space, I got with the program.
The Wells men hugged tightly, as if they hadn’t seen each other a few hours ago. It was heartwarming in a sense. Because while I didn’t have that connection, I loved that my Daddy knew what it was like to have parents who cared.
Our waitress, Eliza, appeared with menus and water glasses for us all. “Welcome to Hazel’s. What can I get you—holy shit, you’re Paxton Wells!”
Her eyes were wide and body still as she looked around the table. I could see the minute she recognized me and Paxton’s dad as well.
“I am Paxton Wells,” he replied, his voice calm and not teasing. “And Hazel’s is one of my fave eating spots, so you’ll probably see a lot of me and my family.”
His use of the word family broke through her shock. She cleared her throat, going back into work mode in an instant.
“Sorry about that. I’d just watched the draft this morning with my older brother. He’s been a big fan of yours for years. Knowing you’re going to be in Bellport about did him in.” She giggled. “Was kind of hilarious if I’m being real with you.”
Paxton’s smile grew. “If he wants anything signed, I’d be more than happy to. I’ll be in here a few times a week, I’m sure, so just bring it in and I’ll take care of it. Heck, tell me a day he’ll be here and we can sit to talk ball then. You think he’d like that?”
Eliza’s hand went to her mouth as tears started to flow. While we’d all been quiet to watch their interaction, it was time for me to step in.
I gathered some napkins, handing them to her. “Is everything ok? Are you happy about this or sad?”
“Happy,” she said instantly. “He’s going to be so excited. This is literally the best day of his life. Maybe even mine too.”
After wiping her face and thanking Paxton profusely, she took our drink orders and left us to decide on food. I went to pick up my menu, only to have a hand stop me.
“What are you in the mood for, baby? I can read it off to you or you can give me the vibe and I’ll order. Which is it?” Gone was the charming baseball star helping make a fan’s dream reality. He was full Daddy mode now.
Smiling, I bobbed my head. “Cheese, please. I want lots of cheese.”
The rest of the table ignored us while we spoke. Cheyenne and Moseley were debating something about the menu, while Paxton’s dad kept nibbling on the biscuit he had, almost like he feared nearing the end despite the option to order more.
Eliza returned, took our order, then let us be again. I wondered what topic would come up next, but it was the kind look Paxton’s dad threw my way that answered my unspoken question.
"You got him what he deserved. I can never thank you enough for taking care of my son."
I wasn't expecting that. Most parents were thankful. Some even found the time to tell me so once the papers were finalized. But to have him give me such a heartfelt thanks tore at my professional veneer.
"It's what I'm here for," I replied automatically.
But then I decided being open like he was gave us equal footing.
“Paxton is a once in a lifetime level athlete. That alone was enough to want to get him the best deal. Add in my feelings, and well, ensuring his future was here meant just as much to me as it did him.”
He chuckled. "You know what I like about you?”
I genuinely didn’t know what he was about to say. It could be anything given how we’d only briefly spent any time together. He couldn’t know that much about me. Could he?
"You look at him like he’s already earned his place. Not like you're doing him a favor. Like you think he hung the moons, stars, and we’re just orbiting him."
He patted my hand once, firmly, then released it and turned around to steal some of Moseley's food from his plate and say something to Cheyenne that made her laugh despite obviously trying not to.
I stayed where I was for a moment.
I blushed at his words. Sure, they were true. It didn’t mean I wanted to be called out in public like this.
Paxton put his hand on top of mine on the table. The touch comforted me. It made me feel grounded when his father’s praise nearly sent me floating into another dimension.
Moseley jumped in to ask Paxton’s dad about what he was like as a child. I knew this was something he’d done to help me, but I also knew Moseley loved to know someone’s backstory any chance he got.
Cheyenne caught my eye from across the table. She mouthed, You okay?
I nodded, not speaking since it would draw attention.
She looked at me for a second longer, and then she turned to listen in to whatever stories Paxton’s dad was sharing. I wanted to listen too. Wanted to know more about the man I’d been falling for.
But I didn’t have it in me to focus on the words. I was deep in my own inner ramblings.
I looked around the table, and I thought about the word family. About what it meant to have someone look at you and decide that you belonged to them. With them.
“Hey,” Paxton said quietly, close enough that it wasn't for the others. “You want to take a walk after?”
“Please,” I whispered.
“Anything for you, baby.” He lifted my hands, kissed my knuckles, then turned to interrupt his dad for apparently telling the story wrong.
I sat there watching, unsure how this had come to be my life. I had coworkers who’d become friends and now were more like family. There was the Daddy of my dreams and his super supportive dad who welcomed me with open arms.
Aside from my vision issues, I had a damn good life. Maybe with their help, I could find the bright side to my future. And then I could stop dreading what came next.