Page 70 of The Yips

It was as if someone had found my private Pinterest board, which I’d labeled “Dream Nursery” when I found out I was pregnant, only to re-create every detail. The crib was the mahogany convertible crib I had been saving for, stashing a small percentage of my cash tips in an envelope with the hope I could afford it before he outgrew the bassinet.

I wiped away the tears that welled in my eyes as Sam watched anxiously in the doorway.

“How did you do this?”

“Kylie and Monica,” Sam shrugged. “I gave them free rein. Some other items are coming while we’re away nextweek. But Kylie pulled a lot from what was left on your baby registry, not the one you shared, but the wish list you thought you’d hidden from the world.”

“This is…” I trailed off, not knowing how to explain it. “I feel like I’m supposed to protest, to tell you it’s too much, but I love it, I love everything about it.”

“Are you upset that I did this?” His eyes searched mine, looking for reassurance.

“Do you want me to pretend to be?” He broke out in the signature Sam smile, the one I’d realized was reserved only for Crew and me.

“Only if we can have a pretend fight, followed by pretend make-up sex.”

I laughed, “Seriously, Sam, I don’t expect a BMW and nursery furniture every time I suck your dick.”

“None of this is transactional, Kelsey. None of this means anything without both of you. Your struggles with money made it a focal point of your life, and I hate that. Every day, you woke up afraid because you didn’t know how to make ends meet. I never want you to be scared like that again. I love that I can make things easier for you, but the gratitude you’re showing me is not something I’ve earned. I never want you to feel you owe me something because I ran a credit card through a machine. You aren’t buying my affection with blowjobs and amazing sex.”

I took a long, shaky breath, letting his words wash over me quickly. I looked towards where Crew still played happily within our eyeshot.

“It is pretty amazing sex, huh?” I asked him as flashes of the other night danced through my memory.

“Fucking incredible, explosive. Thinking about it makes me hopeful for another nap for the little dude.”

“I have no idea what he’s going to do. He slept half theday in the car,” I answered apologetically. “But maybe if we brought him out for a run, after some fresh air, he’d be ready. After yesterday, travel today, and knowing tomorrow will be busy, my legs feel like they need a good workout.”

A wide grin split his face, “I love that we can run together.”

“Let’s get ready. I want to be back before he’s hungry again.”

CHAPTER 62

Sam

“Are you checking out my ass?” Kelsey teased as I ran slightly behind her, pushing Crew’s jogging stroller.

“I’d be an idiot if I didn’t. It wasn’t fair for you to take advantage of me when I stopped to get Crew’s monkey when he tossed it out of the stroller.”

“Aww, look at you, ensuring we don’t lose his favorite toy. Good thing we aren’t racing. I mean, I’d expect more from an athlete. It's good that you aren’t a hitter; I doubt you could round the bases without stopping to take a break.”

I sped up to catch her, giving her a little swat on the ass. “You question my stamina?”

“Hmm, maybe. I don’t want to worry about you getting through your next game.”

God, she looked so alive. Her face was flushed from exertion, and the sweat gave her a dewy appearance. Young, fresh, and happier than I’d ever seen her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked suspiciously.

As we ran through a crowded section of the BostonFreedom Trail, she took advantage of my need to slow down with the carriage and sped ahead.

“Next time, you get to push the stroller,” I yelled, garnering the attention of a few people in the crowd. At that point, a young kid shouted, “Hey, it’s Sam Drummond. Sam! Sam! Can you sign my hat?”

Kelsey knew I was a sucker for the younger fans and slowed down, so I could stop. She stood next to me as the kid polled other people in the crowd for something I could use to sign the hat. By the time someone produced a Sharpie, we had amassed a crowd. I signed a t-shirt and a couple more Minutemen hats before apologizing and setting out to finish our run.

“Thanks for stopping.”

“I know how much you like interacting with the young fans.”

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