Page 67 of Draft Pick

"Yeah, when I panic, my first impulse isn't to put a ring on it," Zay returned with a wry chuckle, shaking his head. "But then, I guess we're built different."

"Why'd you panic though?" Lincoln asked, confused.

"I don't know, I think I was trying to protect her. In an nano-second, all I could see was my dad freaking out and my mom crying and I was like, fuck it, they won't have any choice but to accept the situation if me and Starlie were already married. But it came out all wrong and I think I freaked Starlie out."

"Ya think?" Zay returned. "Hell, I'm freaked out for her. That was the opposite of smooth."

"I know," I growled over the rim of my glass before draining it, ready for another. "But how am I supposed to tell her that my family is a shitshow and not likely to embrace my baby mama with open arms? My dad is going to lose his shit and Starlie doesn't deserve that. They'll just ruin everything that's good about our news. I'm having a freaking daughter, guys and I can't even share that news with them without worrying that they'll shit all over it with their own issues."

"Dude… you're having a daughter," Lincoln said, shaking his head in awe. "That's heavy. How do you feel about that part?"

My eyes misted at the memory of seeing her fluttering little heartbeat and how her little legs and arms kicked like a tiny ninja, and that gooey feeling returned. "It's so fucking awesome and scary at the same time. On one hand, I want to give her the world, and the next, I want to put her in a locked room with a three-headed dragon to guard the door so no one ever hurts her. It's overwhelming what I'm feeling in here," I thumped my chest where my heart was, then motioned to the waitress for a refill. I was going to need a shit ton more beer to figure this situation out.

"Why didn't you just explain that to Starlie before you tried jamming a mall ring on her finger," Zay said. "I mean, you went zero to fucking sixty man."

"Because, like I said, I panicked. The words just fell out of my mouth like verbal vomit and before I realized what I'd done, Starlie was in her car and driving away like I'd just asked if I could wear her face."

"Ouch." Lincoln grimaced. "Have you texted her since?"

"Several times and she's just left me on read."

Zay made a face. "Harsh. Yeah, you fucked up. She hasn't even sent a half-hearted 'k' back? Yeah, you're fucked. RIP dude."

I glared at Zay as the waitress collected my empty glass and set down another with a flirty smile, saying, "Your friends said you might need this."

"Just keep 'em coming, beautiful," Zay said with a wink, draining his glass.

I gave the waitress a short smile, but my mood was too dark to play the game. I'd leave that to Zayden.

Lincoln, always more understanding, put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's a big step, becoming a father. But springing a proposal on Starlie like that? You might've scared her off."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I know, I know. I just don't know how to fix this. I'm scared my family will tear her apart. They have...expectations."

Zayden leaned forward, his expression serious. "C'mon, Cason, you can't live your life trying to please your family. Especially not at the expense of your own happiness."

"You don't know my family," I said derisively. "My parents are their own brand of insufferable."

"Don't flatter yourself — you didn't corner the market on whacked out family members," Zay returned, unruffled, as he grabbed a few pretzels from the small bowl on the table. "I've got three older sisters and no end of mothering no matter how old I get. If I tried to bring a girl home, she'd get judged so hard I feel bad for her, but that's not going to stop me from living my life."

"I suddenly understand why you're a commitment-phobe," Lincoln said.

"I don't have commitment issues," scoffed Zay. "I'm just not interested in being committed."

"Oh, well, that's totally different then," Lincoln said, rolling his eyes.

Zay ignored Lincoln, returning to his original point. "Look, you've got Starlie and a kid on the way. They're your family now. Your priority."

Was I losing my mind, or was Zay actually dispensing good relationship advice?

Lincoln nodded in grudging agreement. "He's right. You need to stand up for what you want. For Starlie and your daughter." Then Lincoln shook his head, still stunned. "I can't get over the fact that you're having a kid. It's totally surreal. And a daughter to boot."

"Yeah, sorry about that man," Zay said, misinterpreting Lincoln's sentiment. "It's bad enough you're having a kid. At least if it'd been a boy…I don't know, seems like it would've been easier to deal with. Girls are a lot."

Funny how I'd thought the same thing up until the moment the ultrasound tech had revealed I was having a daughter, then all of that shit went out the window.

But Lincoln had a different opinion, saying, "I don't know, I think it would be nice to have a daughter. Sweet and cute…someone who'll always love you."

At that, Zay brayed like a donkey. "That's a crock of shit if I've ever heard one. Trust me, I have three sisters, and none of them are sweet. Cute, maybe but sweet? Never. My sister Brielle once knocked out one of my teeth. Granted, it was an accident, or so she says, but that woman can clean your clock better than any guy I've ever squared up against."

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