This Much is True - Tia Louise Page 0,40
have no idea…” My voice breaks.
“Dad!” Jesse yells from the yard. “Come on!”
“Now get out there.” My feisty grandma pats my back and pushes me to the door. “That little guy’s going to rupture something if you keep making him yell.”
That makes me laugh, and I head out into the yard where Scout is tossing him easy passes. Every time Jesse catches it, he runs straight to my legs and gives me a hug. I bend down and hug him back.
“Help me throw it to Uncle Scout!” He hands it to me, and I drop to a knee, taking the ball in one hand.
“You ready?” I look up at my brother, and he spreads both hands.
“When am I ever not ready?”
Rearing back, I pass it then give my son a nudge. “Go get him, J!”
He takes off running at top speed, which isn’t super-fast for a five-year-old. Still, my brother slows down and lets Jesse catch him. He even pretends to fall and they both roll around on the ground, making Hope laugh.
“Come on, Hope. I’ll teach you to pass the ball.”
She walks to where they’re tussling, and I step up beside my grandma, who’s watching them with a big grin on her face as well.
“She’s a doll.” GA glances up at me with one eyebrow raised. “She sure gives you a lot of loving looks.”
“I haven’t noticed.” It’s a lie. I’ve noticed. “I can’t drag her into this mess.”
“Drag her? Looks to me like she’s walking towards it.”
I can’t argue with my grandma, so I don’t even try. “Is he here with you full time now?”
“Pretty much.” She exhales a deep sigh. “It was clear after the honeymoon your father didn’t want his grandson around every day.”
The fist of anger is back in my chest. “I’m going to see him.”
There’s still so fucking much left undone. It’s all I can think about.
“Did you see me, Dad?” Jesse runs with all his might to where I’m standing beside my grandmother. “I caught it! Uncle Scout threw it, and I caught it!”
“I saw you, little man.” I drop to my knee and return his hug. “You’re amazing.”
He holds me a little longer, turning his face to my ear. “I love you, Dad.”
My heart splits as he takes off running back to where Hope is talking to Scout. I’m torn between wanting to hold him no matter what that means and wanting to smash everything so we can be together again.
“Where are you three planning to sleep?” GA calmly takes out her iPhone. “Scout can stay here. I think Regina’s entire BnB is empty if you and Hope want to stay there. No breakfast, of course.”
Rubbing my hand over the back of my neck, I’m all twisted up inside. “I need to take care of my business first.”
“Your business can wait a few hours. Have dinner with your family tonight, spend time with your son. Talk to your father tomorrow.”
“I don’t have much time.” What I’ve done hangs over my head like a sword waiting to fall.
If I’m discovered here, it would ruin all my plans and possibly my life. I’d never see Jesse again… Still, watching my little boy showing Hope how to run out for a pass, and Scout laughing and throwing the ball at her, as painful as it is, I want to linger a little longer.
“The day’s almost over. Give us one night?”
“One night is all I have left.”
Hope
“It’d probably help if you take off those boots.” Scout holds the football at his shoulder, waiting as I toe off my boots. “Now go long.”
Hesitating, I look side to side. “What does that mean?”
“It means run!” Jesse grabs my hand and starts running to the other end of the yard, dragging me behind him.
He’s really the cutest thing, and no matter what JR says, he looks just like his dad. The only problem is I can’t chase him across the yard, and I definitely can’t roll around on the ground like he’s been doing with Scout.
The ball spirals towards me, and I squeal, holding both hands over my head and ducking.
Jesse jumps up beside me, but he doesn’t catch it either. The ball bounces wildly and flies in the opposite direction.
“What the heck was that?” Scout jogs up to us laughing.
Jesse takes off after the ball. “She’s not on my team.”
That makes his uncle laugh louder, and my jaw drops. “I’ve never played before!”
Scout tosses an arm across my shoulders and gives me a reassuring shake. “Just a tip.