Caught Up (Windy City, #3)

by Liz Tomforde

“You’ve got a cute kid.” You’ve got a cute everything, is what I want to say in response.

“I know it’s weird to offer, but I can hold him if you wa⁠—” “No,” I snap. “Geez.” “I mean, no, thank you. He doesn’t do well with women.” “Wonder where he got that from.”

“Oh, well that’s good. I mean, that’s not good. Or maybe it is good? Who am I to say? Goddamn, this elevator is taking forever.” She slaps a palm over her mouth, her eyes darting to Max. “I mean, gosh dang it.” That finally makes me chuckle, a small grin sliding across my lips. She softens a bit. “He does smile.”

“Maybe he should loosen up every once in a while. He’s got a cute-ass kid and an even cuter smile when he shows it.”

“And Ace,” he calls out. “Keep your dick in your pants. We all know how fucking fertile you are, and I’m too young and too goddamn attractive for someone to be calling me Grandpa.”

“He’ll be on his hands and knees most of the time.” “As all men should be.”

“If you’re as terrible of a listener in the bedroom as you are in real life, Miller, I can promise you this, you wouldn’t be allowed to come.” Those pretty lips part, jade eyes wide. “Two can play this game, Montgomery. Now, let’s go.” I nod toward the other side of the house once again.

Her lips press together, holding back a grin. “You keep talking like that, Kai, and I’ll be ditching the ‘baseball’ part and just be calling you ‘daddy.’”

My dad stays back to talk to one of the pilots. A line-guy takes my luggage for me, and Max essentially hurls himself at me as soon as I’m close enough. “There’s my guy,” I laugh. “Missed you, Bug.” He giggles, his chubby hands roaming over my face, gently touching my septum ring. I pretend to bite his finger and his laugh explodes, falling into my shoulder before he begins to trace the ink there. I’ve quickly learned it’s his favorite thing to do while I’m holding him. I find Kai leaning against the stairwell, hands in his pockets and watching us. “Hi.” His blue eyes are soft. “Hi.”

“If you’re going to start coming to my games, I better see Rhodes on your back and I’m not talking about my brother.” “Is this some athlete kink you got? Need to see a girl in your jersey?” The old flirty side of me that I’ve kept hidden and locked down for the most part since Max came into my life is itching to break free. I pop my shoulders. “I like to see pretty girls in my jersey. Like to take it off them too.” Miller’s lips part, a shocked and satisfied grin lifting on the corners. “Well, with that kind of promise, I’ll be sure to wear it next time.”

Typically, I’d be rushing out of here, especially after a loss, hoping to get back to the hotel in time to put Max down for the night, but for the first time all season, I don’t feel the need to make up for those missing moments. Because I got to see him all game. Sitting on Miller’s lap, he’d wave at me in the bullpen every few minutes until he passed out in the third inning, sleeping against her chest. I’m fairly certain my kid was drooling all over her, but she didn’t seem fazed. She simply rubbed his back as he napped, reapplying sunscreen on his little body when the time came, and kept a mini fan on him for all nine innings. I got to be there when he woke up, reacclimating to his surroundings, and when he looked up at the girl who had him in his arms, that sleepy smile bloomed.

“You flirting with me, Montgomery?” “Have been since we met. You gonna start flirting back?”

He was right. There’s no way I’ll be able to forget him.

“Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” His eyes are begging, pleading. “Make it with me.”

She slants over me, but before I can kiss her, she stops with her hands on either side of my face. “And I love you.” My eyes dart to hers. “I love you so much, Kai. Nothing about me leaving was because of you. I need you to know that. You’re more than enough, more than I could’ve dreamt for. I loved you before I left, and I love Max and I’ve never felt so much at once that I’m fairly certain my heart is going to give out soon. I’m only twenty-six, Malakai. It’s too soon.”

I pull away only slightly, needing to tell her something. “I love you.” She smiles into my lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, Malakai, and I love your son.” Fuck, that’s the one that does it. Head dropping back, I look up towards the ceiling, taking a deep breath. She runs a palm over my scruff, regaining my attention. “When I left, I hadn’t fully come to terms that what I was chasing was no longer my dream, but as soon as I got there, I knew. I have a new dream now. You and Max are my dream.”

“I love you,” I remind her once again. She smiles up at me, so content, so at peace. “I love you.” Miller runs a soothing hand over my Max’s hair, her attention drifting to him. “And I love you.” With our friends surrounding us, I finally got my family.

That is until her fingers graze the velvet box and her eyes shoot to me. “No.” I chuckle. “You’re saying no already? I haven’t even asked.” “Malakai.” She tilts her head, her lip jutting out. “What is it?” Indy asks from behind me. Miller pulls out the small box just as I get down on one knee. “Let’s go!” Ryan cheers. “Miller Montgomery,” I begin, but she cuts me off before I can continue. She points at the tear that’s already falling down her face. “I hate you for this.” “It really wouldn’t be a proper proposal for us without you telling me how much you hate me, huh?” She laughs that watery laugh, and I carefully take the box from her hand. “Miller Montgomery⁠—” “Yes! The answer is yes.” “Okay,” I chuckle. “Thank you for the vote of confidence but I still got to get this out.” She hugs our son to her chest, her chin leaning on his head as I make this little speech to both of them. “I wanted to ask you the second you came back, but I was trying to give you the space to grow into this new life without asking too much of you. But I can’t wait any longer. There’s no one else I want to raise him, and hopefully a few more babies, with. You’re my closest friend and the person I have the most fun with. I love you, Miller, and I’m pretty envious that Max gets to call you Mom because I’d really like the opportunity to call you my wife.” She huffs a choked laugh. I open the box and Miller’s eyes dart to her dad when she sees the ring, clearly knowing its original intention. ...