“She does. I didn’t think their little scheme would ever go this far, but I’m happy for them, and I’m ready to be an aunt.”
“What about a mom? Is that something you want?” I ask, curious about her thoughts on starting a family.
“It is.” Her eyes flash to mine. “What about you?”
“Yes. I want to be a father. I want to have a family. I have that huge fucking house, and I need to fill it up with something.”
“You could always fill it up with a bunch of cats. Given your ornery disposition at times, a cat seems like the perfect pet for you.”
“I do like a good pussy.”
She rolls her eyes, causing me to chuckle.
“I’m sure I’ll get a pet someday, and it’ll hate me but love everyone else in my family.”
“Sounds about right. How many kids do you want?”
“One . . . possibly two. But not for a bit. I don’t want to be banging out kids as soon as I get married. I want to enjoy my wife first, take her around the world, grow experiences before we’re deep in the trenches of diapers and temper tantrums.”
“I’m the same way. I still have some things I want to accomplish, experience. I know I want a family, but I don’t need it right away.”
I momentarily study her and then say, “I think you’d be a great mom.”
Her eyes soften. “You think so?”
I nod. “I really do. You have a loving, calm heart. You’re also a beautiful leader, and when conflict arises, you don’t immediately grow angry like I do. You take a step back and give it some thought before tackling what needs to be said, what needs to be done. I think that’s a good quality in a mom.”
“Well, I think you’d be a good dad. You’re caring, protective, and even though you’re annoying at times with your constant teasing, I know you’d bring great joy to your family.”
“That means a lot to me. Thank you, Kelsey.” And that right there is one of the main reasons I’m falling for this girl. She sees beyond the fa?ade, sees my heart, and likes what she sees. As much as I craved time with my dad, I also wished he gave more of himself to all of us boys. We all needed a role model and someone who loved us unconditionally. I want to be the man he wasn’t.
“You’re welcome.” She scoots in closer, brings her hand to the back of my neck, and kisses me tenderly. “So, I was thinking, after my dress fitting tomorrow, do you want to come over to my place? I’ll make you dinner?”
“Can I help you make dinner?”
“I’d like that a lot.”
“Good.” I kiss her this time. “Then, yes, I’ll be there.”
Breaker dribbles the ball and then tosses it up to the basket, making a swish. “I’m surprised you were able to find the willpower to pull yourself away from Kelsey for one goddamn moment and play basketball with me.”
“Wow, you don’t sound bitter,” I say as the ball rebounds and I toss it back to him.
“Seriously, dude. I’m losing Huxley. Am I going to lose you, too?”
“You’re not losing us.”
“I never see you guys unless we’re at the office, and you don’t even have lunch with me anymore.” Jokes are on the tip of my tongue, but when I see how serious he is, I hold back.
“Are you really upset?” I ask.
He dribbles, sets up, shoots. “I mean, sort of, and not in a bitchy way, because I’m happy for you two, but it would be nice if you guys would carve out some time for me.”
“I can do that.” I pull on the back of my neck. “Things have just been . . . crazy. And I’ve been consumed. Dude, I fucking like her a lot.”
“I know. I can tell. And I know Huxley is consumed by the wedding right now, which is in a week, but remember, we’re all we have. Don’t leave a man behind.”
“I’ll make a better effort,” I promise. He tosses me the ball and I take a shot. It bounces off the rim, right back at me. “You know, you could possibly find someone to settle down with. The option is there.”
“Oh, is it? What love connection are you seeing for me that I don’t see?”
“What about Ophelia?” I ask.
“Lia?” he asks, confused.
“Yeah. Huxley and I have been taking bets as to when you two will hook up.”
“Dude, she’s my friend, not to mention my neighbor, and she has a boyfriend. That’s it. There’s no romance.”