I love her. Completely.
Without restraint.
I always suspected I would fall hard for her. When I first met her, her personality and beauty made the bar we were in fade away, and all I saw was her. Our nights when we talked—they weren’t even to set up a time to hook up. They were just to talk. To get to know each other. Her independence was sexy then, and it’s even more so now for the simple fact that I know she talks to me, takes care of my child, and cares for me because she wants to. Not because she has to or feels obligated but because she wants us. When you go through life with no one wanting you, it’s exhilarating to find someone who does. Not because of my money or my career, just because of me.
How could I not fall for her?
“Aviva said Celeste is just up from her nap. She’s at your house,” Nico informs me as he hangs up his phone.
“Awesome, thanks,” I say with a nod as I confirm my order of five dozen long-stem red roses for Jaylin. They should deliver within the next hour or so. I want to do more and I will when I get her in my bed, but for right now, roses will have to do as a way to tell her how much I appreciate her. She had to cancel lunch with us since she needed to have lunch with her boss, which means she’ll be at the office longer than she anticipated. Works for me; I can’t wait for her to feel special when she gets the delivery. It’s a great feeling to know that someone has your back.
Unfortunately, things with Jean’s dad aren’t good. She stayed at the hospital last night with him. Jaylin and Aviva stayed at Jaylin’s condo with Celeste to make sure Jean didn’t feel any pressure. Once my teammates knew what was going on, all the guys’ wives volunteered to help. It’s a blessing, but thankfully, I have Jaylin with Aviva as a backup.
I have a family.
“Have you talked to Jean?”
“Just through text. Her dad’s O2 levels weren’t good last night, but this morning they’re looking better. I told her to stay with him. That I’ll figure it out until she can come back.”
“Man, this sucks.”
“Agreed. She feels awful and keeps wanting to come do her job. She even asked if I wanted to replace her. I don’t.”
Nico scoffs. “No shit. Jean is awesome.”
“Exactly,” I agree as I tuck my phone in my pocket. “So, I may need Aviva’s help more than I’d like to ask.”
“She doesn’t mind. Gives her something to do since she can’t fuss over Callie anymore.”
“True. How is Callie?”
“Really good,” he says with that grin that only covers his face when he talks about her. “She’s adjusting well. Classes start in two weeks.”
“Fantastic.”
“Yeah. She misses us, and us her, but she’s going to do great things.”
“Hell yeah. What’s her major?”
He pauses, but I’m not sure why. “Special education, but she wants to specialize in autistic children.”
“Wow. She’s an angel.”
“She is,” he says warmly.
We turn into town, which is the shortcut to my place, just as my phone rings. I glance down to see it’s Jean. I answer quickly. “Hey, you okay?”
She lets out a long breath. “Yeah, he’s doing better. Thank you so much for being so understanding through all this. I can’t believe this is going on. I’ve never had this happen. Usually, everything goes so smoothly. I am so sorry.”
“Jean, you are absolutely fine. Please don’t apologize for something that was out of your control.”
“I put you in a predicament, and if it weren’t for Jaylin, I would have been screwed. I am so sorry, Kirby. Please don’t fire me.”
I laugh. “Not happening. You’re good, I promise.”
“Okay, thank you,” she says on an exhale. “You have practice tomorrow and a game the next night, correct?”
“Yes, but if you need to—”
“Nope, he’s okay, and as long as he stays that way, I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll let you know tonight if anything changes.”
I nod. “That’s fine. Keep your chin up, okay?”
“Thank you. I will.”
We say goodbye and then hang up. “She’s a good girl.”
“She is. I might need to steal her when my kid comes.”
I scoff. “You have a wife.”
He grins. “And you have a girlfriend. Are you going to give Jean up if you and Jay get married?”
I shake my head. “No way. Jaylin is very busy with work. We’ll still need Jean.”
When I feel him grinning at me, I realize I just threw all my cards on the table. “So, easy to say, you’re thinking ahead?”
“Can you blame me? You know how it when you meet the right person.”
He nods. “True, very true.”
We turn onto my road, and I gather my garment bag and bag of little things I got Celeste. He pulls into my driveway, and after getting my stuff out of the back, we head toward the house. He’s picking up Aviva since she’s here. The door opens, and Aviva comes out with her belly all big and my girl on her hip.