Page 121 of Home Run

“Maybe you should go and see Doctor Humphries.”

I stared at him, trying to figure out if he was joking. But he seemed deadly serious. “I’m not going to see the doctor because I slept funny.”

“Have a bath then, it’ll make you feel better.”

“I don’t have time for a bath now, your parents will be here soon. And then our moms are going shopping, and then Holiday and I are meeting them for a late lunch, and then we’re all heading to Yankee Stadium.”

Perhaps that was why I hadn’t slept well, and the real cause of the ache in my side. Anxiety. Not that I had anything to be anxious about, beyond meeting Tanner’s mom and—you know—really wanting her to like me in person, and decide I was suitable enough to raise her future grandchild.

I needed to nip it in the bud, too, if my body was already aching at twenty weeks pregnant, what was it going to be like at thirty? Thirty-nine?

“That sure sounds like a busy day.”

“Yes.”

“Rather you than me.” He grinned, while sipping his coffee.

Yes! That’s what else was wrong.Coffee.I needed coffee.

“Thanks for the support.”

“Anytime, Mama Bear.”

“Okay, I need to get dressed and I need one of those coffees you’re drinking.” I picked up the phone and carried it through to the closet. “Kick some ass tonight, I’ll see you later.”

“I want a play-by-play of family time.”

“Count on it, buddy,” I replied. “I’ll be texting you hourly.”

“I’ll look forward to each and every one. Love you,” he added before the screen turned blank.

Pulling on a pair of the jeans Holiday had ordered in every single color, and one of Tanner’s Lions sweaters, I headed into the kitchen. From the smell, someone had already been making breakfast—saliva pooled under my tongue—and I prayed it was my mom’s pancakes.

I could definitely eat somepancakes.

I was in luck—I found a plate of them next to one of the smoothies Tanner had left, along with Holiday sitting on one of the stools, looking as fresh and chic as she always did, even as she chewed through a giant mouthful of pancakes.

Her blonde hair was so straight and glossy, it would be impossible to believe she hadn’t spent three hours getting ready if you didn’t know she woke up like that. I couldn’t wait for the day my cheekbones returned.

“Good morning.” She grinned, pointing a fork to her plate. “Your mom makes awesome pancakes.”

I nodded. “She does. It was our Saturday morning breakfast growing up. Where is everyone?”

“Radley went to class, and your mom went to meet your brothers, she was leaving as I arrived and told me to help myself. The coffee machine is on, by the way.”

“Amazing.” Grabbing a coffee cup, I stuck it underneath and pressed Go, then put the pancakes in the warmer.

“I know. I wish I could eat pancakes every day.”

“You’d get bored of them.”

“I don’t think I would.” She shook her head. “How’s the bump this morning?”

“Kind of achy,” I replied, rubbing my side where it hurt.

Maybe it didn’t feel as bad as when I woke up. It was hard to tell if it had stopped only to start again because I’d remembered it.

“Ooh, shall we go for massages? I can book some for this afternoon.”

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