Page 92 of Broken

“Everything okay?” My response was slow, my brain still trying to wake up.

“Yeah. I think I may just be too wound up about the game. I wish I was flying up there with the rest of you.”

“You don’t want to be with your team?”

“It’s not the same. Not since everything came out.”

A stab of regret struck me that I couldn’t have protected her from the fallout longer. “You still have Casey and Dinah, though. And it’s just for the way up there, remember? You and Jet are staying and flying back with us.”

“I know. I’m just excited to get tothatpart.” Again, I heard the underlying sadness in her voice, but it was team rules. You rode up together. If your family signed off for you to leave with themafter,that was fine, but you traveled to the game as a team.

While Izzy and Jet would be in charter buses, our families were all flying up for the state championship game in Arlington, and my parents were footing the bill for everyone’s tickets and hotel rooms, deciding they wanted to treat everyone and make a weekend out of it. Stef, Helen, and Bridgette had been reluctant to accept the offer at first, but Mom could be very convincing. Jet playing in tonight’s game was a big deal.

Not only had we made it to state, but it was his last shot for a scholarship, and we were all feeling it. I could just imagine Annie’s internal monologue trying to wait it out, like a spring coiled with nowhere to let go.

I wasn’t as worried. Iwanteda scholarship for my friend, especially since it seemed so important to him now, but it was Jet. He had other incredible skills and knowledge to fall back on if it fell through.

I still crossed my fingers, praying to the football gods every time I thought about it, though.

After a while, I felt Izzy relax, her breathing becoming deep and rhythmic as she fell asleep in my arms. I just held her close, drinking in the feel of her in my bed. I would never get over how perfectly she fit against me. How wellwefit. Even after ourlast fight a few days ago. She could argue all she wanted, but I couldn’t help but worry, even if she kept swearing she was okay. I didn’t see how she could be, not with everything that had been thrown her way since choosingme. Her life had turned to chaos, drama coming in all directions. It sometimes felt like I was at the root of it, and I hated what all it was putting her through. All I knew was, I was absolutely gone for this girl.

She was mine to protect.

I was just drifting off myself, my thoughts in and out of focus, when a small tap against my stomach edged me back awake. Not opening my eyes, it took me a minute to realize Izzy hadn’t moved.

I felt it again and jolted awake.Did I just…? Was that?

I pressed my hand against Izzy’s small bump, waiting, like I was on bated breath.

Nothing. I slid my hand over, pressing my fingertips gently into the curve of her stomach.Come on…Please.Just about to give up, my eyes flew wide when I felt it again, and a rush of emotion went through me.I just felt her…

I was in awe. Excitement pounded through me, and a burning prickle hit the back of my eyes.I just felt our baby…

Overcome, I slipped my arm out from under Izzy’s neck and slid down under my covers to straddle her legs, pressing both of my hands to her bump. “Come on, sweet girl. Daddy wants to feel you again.”

A few silent beats passed, and then a rapid succession of nudges pressed into one of my hands. I swallowed, my throat feeling tight, so much relief cascading over me. Because Ifelther. This was real.Shewas real. And I now knew what Izzy felt. This little life was ours. A personwe’dcreated.

“I’m so glad I got to feel you. You just made your daddy’s day,” I whispered just above my hands. “I wonder if this is how you feel for your mom. Can you even hear me yet?”

“Soon. Anytime now if what I read is correct,” Izzy’s soft voice replied.

I looked up, finding her smiling down at me with watery eyes, and her hands came to rest over mine. “You felt her?”

There was a double meaning to that question. One we both knew.“Yes,”I mouthed as I nodded. I felt her. And just like her mother, I would protect her, too.

“We need a name.” I looked back down at Izzy’s stomach, my thumbs brushing gently over the mound that held our daughter, and Izzy laughed. “What?”

“Nothing. I’m just loving how eager you are now. And that youfeelher. That I’m not in it alone anymore.”

I crawled up over her, gazing into those emerald eyes that held my heart. “You are bothmine.” Izzy grabbed my neck and kissed me, pulling me in so we were wrapped up in each other.

“How about Carry?” I asked when we broke apart, settling by her side again. My hand strayed to her stomach, the mound fitting almost perfectly in my large palm.

Izzy snorted. “Yeah, future prom disaster in the making right there. No.”

I grinned, sensing our next new game. “Carissa.”

Izzy made a face. “Too much like Larissa.”

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