Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Well,” Amanda, Bellamy’s best friend and a new member of our group, speaks up. “Ethan and I will have a little one soon.” She smiles. Her eyes are lit with excitement and love for a child she’s never met.
“When are we going to meet this husband of yours?” Reid asks. His wife is Amanda’s best friend, and he’s never met the guy. That tells me he’s a shit husband, but who am I to judge? My girl walked away from me the night I proposed. He must be doing something right if he got her to marry him.
“He’s working so much, trying to make partner,” Amanda says. “He’s on the home stretch. They’re supposed to decide after the second quarter of this year.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Corie tells her.
“Do you know the gender yet?” Bellamy asks.
“Not yet,” Amanda tells her. “We’re basically on standby until the baby is born. Any day now, in fact.”
“We have to throw you a shower after he or she gets here.”
Amanda smiles. “That would be nice, but you don’t have to. The mom is a young teenage mother, and she doesn’t want to know the gender. I think she’s trying to do everything she can not to get attached.”
“I understand that,” Bellamy says. “She’s brave for making the choice that she has. I couldn’t imagine having to make that decision.”
“My heart hurts for her,” Sloane says.
“A hard choice for sure,” Rowan agrees.
“I just want to hug her,” Corie says, wiping at her eyes, then laughing at herself. “Hormones,” she says, waving her hands in front of her face.
“It’s a tough situation, but I’ll be forever grateful that she’s giving us this gift,” Amanda says softly.
“Well, when our little one gets here, they can be best friends,” Landry says, before looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms. “They all will be.”
“Uh, babe, we’re not pregnant,” Rowan reminds him.
“We will be after tonight,” Landry says confidently.
“I hate to break it to you, man, but it’s not always that easy.”
“Sure, it is; just ask Baker.”
Baker groans. “Not cool, Reynolds,” he says, as his eyes flash toward his son. That’s a story for another day, but he and Camden have Sloane in their lives now, and they’re both all smiles because of it.
“Landry,” Rowan warns, her eyes flashing to Amanda.
“Amanda, I’m sorry.” Landry frowns as he stands and goes to hug her, but she just smiles and waves him off.
“It’s okay, really. I’m happy for you guys, and I want that for all of you,” she adds.
Landry winks at her before turning back to us. “I’m just saying my swimmers are competitive.”
“Cam and you go swimming?” Camden stands and rushes over to Landry. “Una Wandry swim?”
Landry’s face falls. He hates to say no to Camden. I imagine when he and Rowan have children of their own, it’s going to be even worse.
“Sorry, little man, it’s too cold to swim.”
Cam sighs. “Cam hold baby,” he says, climbing up onto Landry’s thighs. Landry situates him before he places Alexander on his lap, holding both of them, but Cam thinks he’s doing all the work from the smile on his face. “Cam wuv you,” he says, kissing Alexander’s forehead, and the ladies all aww and coo, and I’m not going to lie, that shit hits me in the feels, as well. Kid’s cute as hell. They all are.
Coral reaches out for Landry, and Knox raises his brow in silent question. “Bring her over.” Knox settles Coral on his lap and then helps move Alexander so that both big kids are holding Alexander while sitting on Landry’s lap.
“Yeah, definitely going to need one of these,” Landry muses, smiling down at the kids.
“Now who’s the baby hog?” I tease him.
“Favorite uncle right here,” he boasts, and we all laugh at his antics.
The guys and I start talking about the season. We’re all still riding the high of winning another championship. We’re on fire and hoping for another repeat next year. I don’t want to jinx us, but damn, wouldn’t that be nice?
After eating way too much food, and we’ve all had a chance to snuggle all three kids, we say our goodbyes so that Knox and Corie can rest while the baby does. The ladies promise to come by during the week to drop off dinners, before we all file back out to our cars.
The drive home is short, but when I pull into the driveway of my condo, there’s a car I don’t recognize, and the lights are on. Then I remember it’s Wednesday and the cleaning lady, Tiffany, is here today. Not that I’m a messy guy, but having someone dust, sweep, and mop and all that other shit is nice. I’m fortunate and spoiled, and I need the support more during the season, but I keep her on year-round. Tiffany is a lovely lady, married, with four kids, and the company I use sang her praises. She’s been cleaning for me for five years now, and I trust her in my space, something I was hesitant about at first.