Page 46 of Until Delilah

“You’re one lucky lady to end up with Max Black.” She sighs while staring at him.

Giving her wide eyes, I confess. “You know, when I met him, I didn’t even know who he was.”

Ava gasps at me. “How did you not know who one of the hottest baseball players to ever live is?”

“I’m talented that way. I still know very little about the sport. If Beck wasn’t in it, I wouldn’t bother to try to learn.”

Although I do want to also learn for Max now. He finds it hilarious I know so little about what he’s spent his life doing.

“Well, don’t let your man hear you say that.” She looks down and then rests her hand on my baby bump. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant.”

“Oh, believe me, I am, and I’m feeling every bit of it today.” I lean in so only she can hear me. Even though we’re feet away it would be just my luck someone would overhear me. “Did you see the way those moms were looking at me when I was eating my crackers?”

“Yeah, they’re jealous ass bitches. You know they probably think it’s Max’s and wish they’d been the one to get pregnant with his child and land him.”

My shoulders deflate as I take a peek over to where Max is standing by the boys. He’s talking animatedly to them, and they’re listening with rapt attention.

“What’s wrong?” Ava rubs her hand over my back.

“I wish this baby was Max’s. Right now, he says he’s fine with it not being his, but what if he changes his mind?” I confess with tears welling up until I can’t see Max any longer. I’ve heard so many stories where the man dumps the mom and the baby after a few sleepless nights claiming he can’t do it and shouldn’t have to since the baby isn’t his.

Ava looks at me worriedly. “Has he given you any reason to think he’ll change his mind?”

“Not at all. In fact, he wants to adopt Beck, and for me to put his name on the baby’s birth certificate. How is he so perfect?”

“Because he’s a good man, and he knows that family is what you make of it. Someone doesn’t have to be blood to be your family.”

I hug my baby sister and think of how ironic it is she’s the one giving me advice. “You’re too smart for your own good.”

“Listen, neither Beck nor this baby will be pining after their biological dads. Max is going to be that man, and he’s going to be the best damn dad those two could possibly ever have. Let him have a chance before you already have him failing. Now smile because everyone is looking over here like I’m being mean and making you cry.”

I give a half-ass smile that I know isn’t very convincing before I turn back to the field. “I don’t know how Max has put up with me when I’ve doubted this entire thing from the get-go.”

“After what you’ve been through, anyone would have doubts.”

Even as she says it, I know I shouldn’t have doubts. I feel like I’ve been brainwashed. When something is going right, I should trust it.

I hastily wipe away the tears that have started to fall. “I love him, and I can’t even tell him because I’m afraid he won’t believe me when I say the words.”

“I think you’re being too hard on yourself and overthinking it. When this game is over, I want you to march up to him and tell him you love him. Get it out there and I’ll bet you feel a thousand times better. Plus, I bet he’ll be even more rewarding in bed once you get home.”

“Oh, god,” I slap at her and laugh. “I can’t wait until you fall in love and you’re a mess about it.”

“Who said I’m ever falling in love? I haven’t even had a real boyfriend yet.”

Real? Has she had a fake boyfriend? What even is a fake boyfriend?

“And that’s my fault. First, with dad being so overprotective of you so you don’t wind up getting pregnant like I did, and well… I don’t know why you didn’t have one in college.” My eyes widen as a thought comes to me. I blurt it out without thinking. “Are you a virgin?”

She puts her hands on her hips and looks down at me. There’s a playful smirk on her face, so I know she’s not mad at me. “And what if I am?”

“It doesn’t matter to me, but if you are, I’d like to know why. Are you saving yourself for marriage? The right guy? Are you gay?” I ask in rapid fire succession.

“Wow, you really went for it. But, no, I’m not saving myself for marriage nor am I gay.” She laughs.

“Hey,” Dad’s voice says from behind us before he wraps his arms around both our shoulders, “what are my two girls doing over here talking in whispers about?”

“Just me falling apart.” I laugh.

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