Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
An hour later, our workout is done, and I swing by the therapy and training rooms looking for Rowan. I find her with her boss, the head trainer, John, and the rest of their team. She looks busy, so I leave her alone. At least I’ve set eyes on her and the fucker Brown is nowhere in sight.
“Damn, they went all out,” Baker says from his spot next to me.
“They did,” I agree as we take in the Rampage field that contains bounce houses, a face painting station, a guy making balloon animals, a few carnival games, and food and ice cream vendors. “It’s a genius idea.”
“Agreed. It’s hard to believe next year, I’ll have a kid here with me.”
“How’s that going? Y’all still getting along?” I glance at him.
He shrugs. “It’s weird as fuck, but it’s been fine, I guess. She keeps me updated with her appointments, her cravings, and name ideas. She’s due at the end of training camp. It’s going to be a lot. Being a single dad to a newborn, but that’s my kid, you know?”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I’m here for whatever you need.”
“Thanks, man. Corie, Sloane, and Rowan have all offered to help me. I know I’ll need to hire help for the season, at the least, but leaving my new baby with strangers doesn’t sit well with me. I’ve never met this kid, but he or she is a part of me. It almost feels like a dream, and then I wake up to a text from Natasha telling me the baby kicked her all night long, and it’s like a slap in the face that it’s my reality.”
“I won’t try to pretend to understand what you’re going through. It’s fucked up for sure, but you’ve got this, Daddy Sinclair,” I say, grinning. “The ladies will help, and I’m sure they’d help vet a nanny for you as well, when you’re ready. In the meantime, let us help you. If you need a break, call one of us. We might not be great with babies, but damn, man, we can learn with you. That’s our niece or nephew, after all.”
“Thanks, Reynolds,” he says, his voice raspy with emotion.
“What’s good to eat?” I ask, trying to break up the heavy of the moment.
Baker laughs. “I don’t know, man, but I’m certain you’re about to find out.”
“You know it.” I clamp a hand on his shoulder before walking off toward the food. It smells fucking delicious, and you know I can always eat. However, before I can follow my nose to the smell of what’s sure to be greatness for my belly, I see Rowan. I’d recognize that blonde hair and that ass anywhere.
It’s been far too long since I’ve seen her, so for once, my belly is going to have to wait. I detour and head toward her. I look past her to see who she’s talking to, and I see red. I quicken my pace, and when I reach her, I toss my arm over her shoulder and press a kiss to her temple. “Hey, baby.” I smile down at her. Her brow furrows just slightly, so I lean in and place my lips next to her ear. “Just roll with it.” She relaxes into me, putting her hand on my chest.
“I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I ask Chaz fucking Brown, Rowan’s ex.
“You know me,” he grits.
“Do I?” I ask Rowan.
“Babe, this is Chaz. My ex and the new cornerback for the Rampage.” Her voice shakes slightly, but she’s going along with the plan.
“Ah, so I do know you.” I thrust my hand out toward him. “Thank you,” I say, letting my hand hang there.
He reaches out and shakes it hesitantly. “What for?”
His tone tells me he’s pissed, but he’s willing to see where this is going. I’m sure he assumes for transferring to the Rampage, but he’s sorely mistaken.
“For messing things up with my girl here. I never would have had my chance otherwise.” If it were possible, I’d be seeing smoke coming out of his ears right now. His eyes narrow, his face turns beet red, and he fists his hands at his sides. That’s fine. If this motherfucker wants to swing, he can swing on me and not Rowan.
“I was talking to my girlfriend,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Your girlfriend? Bud, she left you. She’s mine now.” Rowan steps closer to me, and I move my hand from her shoulders to around her waist, holding her close. I can feel a slight tremble in her body. This fucker is lucky we’re at our place of employment, or I’d be tossing him on his ass just for scaring her like this.
It kills me to think about what she must have gone through being with him, with no one in her corner.
“Rowan, a word?” he spits out.