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)
Quietly, I shut the door behind me and move toward the kitchen to drop off the food before going in search of Baker. The kitchen is a mess, with bottles and dirty dishes in the sink. I make a mental note to work on that after I check-in.
Keeping my steps light, I head to the living room to find a disheveled Baker and Landry, with baby Camden—Cam for short—lying on his chest. “Hey.” I wave at them.
“Today’s your day, huh?” Baker asks with a smile.
“It is. How are things?” I ask, taking a seat next to Landry on the couch. My hand immediately goes to the baby’s back. I rub gentle, soothing strokes, and he shudders a breath.
“His days and nights are mixed up,” Baker says, running his fingers through his hair.
“Go take a nap.”
“I—” He starts to protest, but I raise my hand to stop him.
“Really, Baker, it’s fine. That’s what we’re here for. There’s baked spaghetti that’s still warm with garlic bread in the kitchen. Go eat, shower, take a nap, do whatever you need to do. I’ve got these two,” I tease.
“Hey.” Landry chuckles. “Uncle Landry is doing just fine, thank you very much.”
“I can see that.” I smile at him. “Go on, Daddy. Get some rest. When was the last time he ate?”
“He’s due again in about an hour.”
“Got it. Go. We’ll be just fine. I promise to wake you if we need you.”
Baker looks between me and Landry.
“Today is my day, and I have no other plans. Let me help you.”
Baker runs his fingers through his hair. His eyes are tired, and you can tell he’s completely exhausted. “Thank you, Rowan.”
I wave him off. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
He nods. “I’ll be upstairs. Just a quick nap and a shower. Fuck me, I would love a hot shower longer than ten seconds.”
“Well, now’s your time. Go. We’ve got this.”
Baker stands from the chair and comes to stand next to us. He bends and kisses the back of Cam’s tiny head, then hugs me. “Thank you.”
“Keep your paws off my girl,” Landry scolds, making Baker laugh as he walks away and disappears up the stairs.
“Hand him over, Reynolds,” I say, holding out my hands. “Stop being a baby hog.”
“We’re bonding. He needs his Uncle Landry time.”
“Well, I need baby snuggles, so gimme.”
Landry chuckles, kisses baby Cam’s head, and gently hands him to me.
“Hello, sweet boy,” I coo to the baby.
Landry places his hand on my bare knee and watches me intently. “He’s been sleeping since I got here.”
“Yeah, babies sleep a lot. How’s Baker?”
“Exhausted. He’s out of his element. Worried about the season starting. This little guy is only two weeks old, and while he’s excused this week from practice, he’s going to need help.”
“The girls and I are here for whatever he needs.”
“Yeah, but you all have full-time jobs. He’s going to need someone when he’s at practice and during away games.”
“Can Natasha not help?”
Landry rolls his eyes. “She’s adamant that they have to do a fifty-fifty split on time, regardless of each of their work schedules.”
“What about his parents?”
“They live in Michigan. They’re planning to come down the week after next and keep Cam his first week back to practice. He needs something long-term.”
“Why don’t they interview nannies together? Someone who will travel from Natasha’s place to Baker’s and stay with Cam. Someone he’s used to, and they both know and trust?”
“That’s actually an excellent idea. You’ll have to suggest it when he wakes up.”
“I can’t imagine how hard this is for him. For both of them. Having a newborn and sending him off for a week after he’s home from the hospital.” I shake my head. “I don’t think that I could do it.”
“I’m glad she’s being fair, for not trying to push Baker out of his life, but she’s a model. She understands a demanding work and travel schedule.”
“Hopefully, they can work it out. At night, I can keep him. I’m sure Corie and Sloane would take a turn as well. The nanny can cover the days, and we can help with the nights or if she has a night off or whatever. I don’t know how they would structure it, but I’m happy to help.”
He rubs his thumb over my knee. “Because you have a good heart.” His tone is soft, almost tender.
“You all have given me so much,” I tell him. “Friends who are my own. People to spend time with who actually want to spend time with me, not pretend because of who I’m dating.”
“Hey, I’m a cool guy,” he says.
“You know what I mean. We’re pretending.”
“Yeah,” he says, leaning closer, resting his head on my shoulder. His scent wraps around me like a warm embrace.
We’re both quiet after that. Camden is sleeping peacefully in my arms, and I feel my body relax into the couch. Landry snuggles closer, and for a brief second, I let myself pretend that he’s really mine. That his touch is more than just something casual. I never thought I’d be ready to put myself out there again, but coming to Nashville has changed me.