Chapter 56
Chapter Fifty-Six
Hayes
Four months later
We got through our first baseball season as a family. I can’t lie and say it wasn’t stressful at times, but what matters is we came out of it together.
I left Leighton in bed earlier this morning. She’s on her first day off in three days, and since I’m in my off season, I’m picking up the slack and giving her a much-needed break.
I walk into Mariano’s, grab a cart, and shop for everything I need to surprise them all with breakfast. I open the donut case, picking the glazed for Monroe, Long John chocolate for Lincoln, chocolate cake for Lake, and sugar for Leighton.
It’s then I spot a familiar-looking blonde. I hurry to pick out the donuts, put the box in the cart, and try to sneak away before she sees me.
“Hayes? Hayes Carlisle?” she calls.
Now I have more than one person looking at me. If I ignore her, I look like a dick, and there will be bad press about me.
I turn back around. “Hi, Julianna.” I glance at her left hand and spot no ring.
Art came to Monroe’s school play, and we were wondering why Julianna wasn’t with him, but we decided it’s their business, not ours, so we didn’t ask.
“How’s the family?” she asks.
Of course, she knows we’re still together. Anyone who looks us up on social media will see pictures of Leighton and the kids at the home games, Leighton and me at numerous functions, or Leighton and me out with our friends.
I nod. “Really good.”
She raises her left hand, wiggling her fingers. “I’m sure you’re not surprised.”
I shake my head, not wanting to get into this drama.
“I knew he was cheating. I just never knew with whom.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, unsure what else there is to say.
She sighs. “Well, Leighton’s probably happy. She got the kids.”
I bite my lip, so I don’t say they should’ve been hers all along.
Art did drop his petition, and Leighton was granted permanent guardianship.
We celebrated by taking the kids to the expensive new steakhouse—along with her parents, Aunt Iris, my parents, Callie, and the three guys.
Wish the DICS could have picked up that bill.
“Anyway, I actually have a date tonight—unless you want to fix me up with one of your teammates.” She laughs. “Foster Davis looks like a good time.”
I have to force my smile. “Yeah, none of them are looking to settle down.”
“Not like you. Leighton sure got lucky.”
“I like to think she did, but I’m even luckier.”
She makes a sound as though she’s annoyed but trying to mask it with niceness. “You’re sweet. Anyway, I’d better get going. Tell Leighton and the kids I say hello.”
“I will.” My hands are already on the cart and ready to wheel away.
“Bye, Hayes.”
“See ya.” I try to walk steadily and not like I want to get away from her, but that was the most uncomfortable conversation I’ve ever been part of.
I buy all the groceries and Uber back to our place. The minute I open the door, I realize my mistake in leaving to get groceries.
Lincoln is throwing the ball against the wall, Monroe is acting as if she’s a marching band, and Leighton has her head in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.
“Shit. I’m sorry.” I cringe.
“You got dressed!” Monroe comes over and points at me.
I unzip my coat and show her that I still have my pajamas on.
“You almost got in trouble,” Lincoln says. “Do I have to stay in my pajamas all day?”
I kiss Leighton’s cheek. “Go back to bed. I’ve got this.”
She shakes her head. “Nah, believe it or not, I miss this when I’m working for three days.”
I turn to Lincoln. “It’s National Family PJ Day, so we’re in our pajamas all day.”
I begin unpacking the groceries, tossing the Twix bars in the candy drawer.
“You brought a chill in with you.” Leighton abandons her cup of coffee and wraps her arms around my back, sliding her hands under my shirt. “My own furnace.”
One thing about the weather getting colder is that Leighton’s hands are always cold, and she’s decided I’m the only one who can warm them up.
“Donuts!” I say, and Lincoln and Monroe run over, picking out their favorites.
We let them eat in front of the television, and I circle around, keeping my back to them, bringing Leighton into my arms.
“I don’t like waking up without you.” She still sounds a little sleepy.
“Me either, but they’re fed. We could sneak upstairs.”
She moans, and my dick twitches in my pajama pants.
Just then, Lake comes down the stairs with a box in her hands, wearing her pajamas. Monroe runs over and skids to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, looking Lake up and down. She gives Lake a thumbs-up and goes back to her donuts.
“What’s in the box?” I ask.
Lake looks at Lincoln and Monroe, nodding toward me. “Guys?”
Their eyes grow wide, and they run back over. Lincoln climbs over the couch.
“No climbing over furniture,” Leighton calls.
Lake holds the box out to me.
“It’s not my birthday?” My forehead wrinkles.
“We know, but, well… you’ll see.” She nods at it.
Leighton’s eyes are welling up with tears, so she must know what’s inside.
“Is this a prank?” I ask, shaking the box a little.
“No.” Lake laughs.
“Is something going to fly out at me?”
“No. Open it.” She pushes it into me.
I take off the lid and unwrap the tissue paper, glancing at them every few seconds. None of them give away anything.
Monroe lies across the counter with her chin in her hands. Lincoln is jumping up and down, and Lake keeps nodding with an expression that says just open the box.
I push away the final piece of tissue paper, and tears flood my eyes. I step back and shake my head.
“You deserved it, but since they’re idiots, we wanted you to know you’re our Gold Glove winner.” Leighton’s tears are tracking down her cheeks.
“Did you know about this?” I ask.
She nods. “It was their idea. I just helped with the execution.”
I pull the baseball glove that they sprayed with gold paint out of the box.
I was passed over again for the Gold Glove, but it didn’t sting this year because I realized that I’ll take what I have under this roof over what happens on that field any day.
“I don’t even know what to say.” I pull Lake and Leighton into a hug and wave my hands so Lincoln and Monroe join us. “Thank you, guys.”
I kiss the tops of their heads, overcome with emotion.
Lake is only good with affection for a short time, so she wiggles out of our group hug. Then Monroe wants her donut, and Lincoln goes to watch television. Leaving Leighton and me in the kitchen alone.
I stare at the gold glove, and she leans her head on my shoulder.
“They came to me right after you found out. I think they feel like they were a little to blame.” I start to protest, but she shakes her head.
“I told them no, that we come first. Baseball is second. And yeah, you would’ve loved to get honored with it, but your priorities are different now. ”
“You said it better than I could have.” I slide my arm around her again. “Amazing, isn’t it? How good your life can become in such a short amount of time.” I look at the room with our three kids in it.
Lincoln is trying to pry the remote out of Lake’s hands, and Monroe wants to get involved, so she sticks her hands in the fight. Eventually, the arguing turns into yelling, and someone gets hurt.
Leighton leaves me to sort it out.
I watch them all from the kitchen, my heart overflowing with joy. Funny how you can spend years chasing what you thought you wanted, and it turns out you weren’t even close.
Leighton turns around as she soothes Monroe, rocking her up and down. Our eyes catch, and our smiles match. This life is everything I ever wanted. I just didn’t know it.