The Problem with Sports - M.E. Clayton Page 0,23

did that mean?

“Our divorce was rough,” she said, “but we managed to get past the pain. And I’m not going to stand here and lie to you and tell you he’s a distant mistake or something cold like that.” She had a fond look in her eyes. “He was once a man I loved enough to spend the rest of my life with. And while life had other plans, I’m not going to demote him to a mistake or a regret. I care about him and I want him happy. He’s the father of my child, and the best thing I can do for my child is to make sure his father is happy in life.”

My chest felt like it’d just been kicked in. “You’re still in love with him, aren’t you?”

She smiled as she shook her head. “No,” she chuckled. “I am not in love with him anymore. But I value what we have. There are too many separated families out there that don’t get along and are damaging their children because of it. I am grateful that Grant’s parents care enough about him and each other not to force him to live in a toxic environment.”

I immediately thought of my sister-in-law and her ex-husband, and her words painted a clearer picture of what she was trying to convey. She didn’t need or particularly care if she had her ex-husband’s permission to date me, but it’s be nice if she had it. For everyone’s sake.

“Talk to him, then let me know what day works for you,” I relented.

She arched a brow. “That confident, are you?”

Fuck it.

I stepped to her, slid my hands into her sun-kissed locks, and brought my lips down on hers. Andie let out a surprised squeal, but all that did was give me access into her sweet, hot mouth. My tongue found its way in, and when I felt her hands grab at the fabric of my shirt, I deepened the kiss and there was no way I was letting her ex-husband stop whatever this could become.

Andie Miller tasted fucking divine.

I couldn’t say how long the kiss lasted, but when I finally pulled back, she looked dazed and her lips were swollen with use.

I bet she looked fucking magnificent when she came undone.

“So,” I said, releasing her hair, “talk with Steven, and then let me know what day works best for you.”

While Andie might look wrecked, her mind was still sharp as ever. “I think you’re going to be more trouble than you’re worth, Nathan Hayes,” she mumbled.

I grinned down at her. “I think you might be right.”

Chapter 13

Andrea~

I was a grown ass woman. I shouldn’t be this nervous.

But I was.

When Steven had dropped Grant off on Sunday, everything had been perfect. Grant had run inside to tell me all about how Steven had gotten us tickets to the season opener of the Raiders versus the Chargers. He told me all about how, together, he and Steven had picked which hotel we’d be staying at, and how they had made sure to get adjoining suites, so Grant could go back and forth between rooms during the weekend. I’d never seen him so excited, and I had felt guilty for keeping the experience from him for so long.

After he had rambled on about anything and everything to do with the game, he had gone to his room to get ready for his bath, and that had left me and Steven to talk. I had offered to pay for half of everything, but Steven had insisted that it was his treat. I was thinking he probably felt guiltier about our decision to not let Grant go to live games than I did.

When all the details had been hashed out, I had wanted to talk to him about Nathan asking me out, but I had chickened out, not wanting to ruin the good vibe we had going on Sunday. And it wasn’t that I needed Steven’s permission to date, but I didn’t want to fight with him over it either.

I stared at my phone in my hand. Right now, Grant and Nathan were sitting out on the balcony, visiting with Nathan’s former teammate and friend, Sergio Hernandez. I could hear muffled laughs and surprised cries through the sliding glass door, but that was about it. After making Nathan swear on all that was holy that he wouldn’t swear or tell grownup tales, I pretended not to hover, and let them have some guy time.

Grant had been ecstatic.

I let out