Page 55 of Run the Play
Baker nods. “She starts the week after next, which is also my week. I’m nervous, but she comes highly recommended, and we definitely need the help. Well, I do. Natasha’s not back to work yet.”
“I’m still available to help in the evenings and on weekends,” I tell him.
“Me too, and you know Corie is as well,” Sloane tells him.
“Thanks. I might have to lean on you for when we’re out of town. She said she’ll do overnights, but I don’t want to overwork her and have her quit. Asking Natasha to do it is out of the question. She’s strict on one week on, one week off.” Baker rolls his eyes.
“All better,” Corie says, coming back to the living room.
“Thanks.” Reid opens his arms for Camden, and Corie shakes her head.
“I don’t think so, buddy. You’ve hogged him all night.”
“He loves me.”
“Well, I think he loves me more. Who would you choose? Someone who pawns you off when you shit your diaper, or someone who’s going to step up and change it?” Corie asks, raising her brow.
“Fine,” Reid mutters, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I should get going anyway,” Baker says. “He’ll need to eat again in about an hour, and I want to get him into bed after and hit the hay myself.”
“I’m going too,” Foster says, standing and stretching his arms over his head. Reid, Sloane, Corie, and Knox all stand as well and start picking up their trash to head home.
“Thanks for coming over,” Landry tells them. “Just put the dishes in the sink. I can run the dishwasher later.”
I’m sitting next to Landry and move to stand from my seat as well. I don’t want to leave, but I also don’t want to overstay my welcome. But Landry places his hand on my arm and shakes his head to stop me. “Stay,” he whispers.
Butterflies take flight in my belly. “Okay,” I whisper back. I stand and go to where Baker has Camden in his carrier. “See you later, little buddy. Take it easy on Daddy, okay?” I ask the baby. Not that he can understand me.
“Love you, Cam,” Corie says, kissing her index finger and placing it on his foot.
“Did you just kiss his feet?” Foster asks.
“I did. He’s still little, and he doesn’t need my germs.”
“Beckett, man, your wife just admitted she has cooties.” Foster laughs.
“Fuck off,” Knox says, barely containing his laughter.
“Language!” Corie, Sloane, and I all say at the same time.
“He’s little,” Knox argues.
“Fine, when his first word is fuck, Baker can deal with you.” Corie challenges her husband.
“I’ll do better,” Knox says, pulling her into his arms.
“Cooties,” Reid says, and we all laugh.
“We’re out.” Corie waves and she, Sloane, and Knox walk out of the room.
“Us too,” Foster and Reid tell us. “See ya.” They wave and leave the room as well.
“You need help getting out to the truck?” Landry asks Baker.
“Nah, I’ve already got this figured out.” He tosses the diaper bag over his shoulder and lifts the baby carrier effortlessly. “You two kids have fun.” He nods to his son. “Make good choices.” He smirks, and then he also walks out of the room. I stare after him until I hear the door close before turning back to Landry.
“Thanks for having me,” I tell him.
