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I’m a fucking winner, if you ask me. Untraditionally? Yes. Without someone I’m actually dating? Also yes. But no less exciting.
“No way,” Cal exclaims, pulling me in for a hug. “I’m happy for you, Gus. That’s amazing, man.”
I nod, thankful. “It’s with Tenley. Surprised Kodi didn’t tell you.” I had to say it. Cal is one of the most stand-up guys I know, and my gut tells me he wanted to ask but also respects me enough to tell him myself.
His head lifts with a short jolt. He doesn’t look surprised, and honestly, it makes sense. I haven’t exactly been quiet about my tiny obsession with Tenley Abrams. The team ruthlessly gets a kick out of her dire need to run as far away from me as she can get.
In time, I hope to have her running faster…preferably in my direction.
Cal chuckles to himself before patting me on the back. “Can’t say I’m surprised. I had a feeling you two would get together one way or another, but I gotta say, never saw it panning out like this. You weren’t exactly subtle at Joe’s.” He smiles, likely remembering my public plea for them to keep their lips shut that night. “You let Leggins know yet?”
“I did. He took it strangely well. Said he was happy for me and looked forward to watching me settle down. Whatever the fuck that’s supposed to mean.”
I don’t know what kind of reaction I expected from Coach, but it wasn’t a chilled-out response. He congratulated me then threatened to kill me if I fuck it up. I took that as a sign of his approval—not that it would matter at this point—then brushed it off.
“Who knows with Leggins. The dude’s a wildcard. You feelin’ good about it, though? I’m assuming she’s still early along?”
“Who’s early along?” Briggs makes his way into our conversation. Thankfully, I’d rather him be a part of this too since he’s already doing the dad thing himself.
“Tenley. She’s pregnant with my baby. Our baby,” I correct, not wanting to disrespect her place as the mother already.
Briggs blows out a long whistle. “It was Joe’s, wasn’t it?”
I nod. “Sure was,” I say, replaying in my head a night I’ll never forget. “Strangely, I’m not terrified, and that’s kind of terrifying.” My laughter builds, and theirs follows suit.
“Kids will change your life, Gus. But they’ll also make you the best version of yourself,” Briggs tells me, pulling out a picture of his daughter, Addie, from his wallet. She was just a baby here, and Briggs is holding her entire body in the palms of his hands. “Feels like yesterday I held Addie like this. Time flies.”
“She’s beautiful, Briggs. Really,” I tell him, and he nods his gratitude.
“Have you and Tenley talked through a plan?” Cal asks.
I shake my head. “Not really. I’m willing to do whatever she needs as long as I get equal time. That’s all that mattersto me. I think despite how Tenley and I fuck with each other, this will be different. At least I hope.”
“Or just fuck each other.” Cal’s not wrong.
“That’s good. It’s important you two are on the same page. How’s she feeling?” Briggs asks.
“Seems to be okay as of now. She said she gets nauseous in the mornings, but the worst hasn’t started yet.” I pause for a moment, thinking through all the fears running through my brain. “I just wanna do right by them, you know?”
They nod in unison. I know they get it. There’s a weight that comes with being a parent. Being solely responsible for another person’s life. To make sure they’re healthy, fed, changed, sheltered, and provided for. The list goes on.
Growing up with the home life I had, I know what it feels like to struggle and go without. I never want my child to experience that level of hunger, or worse, fear of the unknown. Fear of waking up in the morning alone, without a clue what’s to come.
“You will,” Briggs says. “Us. The team. We’ve got you, man. That’s the best part about being brothers. We ride or die. Beginning to end.”
“He’s right.” Cal nods in agreement. “Dakota has lists of all the things babies need. Trust me. We’re in this together. You’re gonna kill it, Gus.”
“Just lay off the cleat chasers,” Briggs jokes. I know he’s just fucking with me but a sinking feeling hits me as his words penetrate.
I haven’t fucked another woman in months. Haven’t been able to, and frankly, haven’t tried. I’m busting my ass to rebrand my image. Not for me, because I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about me.
Well, at first it was for me, but now it’s for them. Tenley and ourchild.
I care a fuck ton what affects them and if cleaning up my image helps with that, consider it white as snow.
And I’m taking this as my time to win over the woman I’ve always wanted while I’m at it.
“They aren’t even a thought. I think that’s what tells me how ready I am to be a father. I can do it. I know I can. I just had to tell someone I trust because I’m still a little shaken by it.” I exhale, finally letting my new reality hit me. “I know this can be a good thing. I want it to be. To make me better and hopefully, prove to Tenley I’m someone worth keeping around.”
