Page 115 of The Game Plan
“I don’t think she wants to.” I swallow hard. “I think she thinks I’ve been thrown into her mess. That the only reason we got married was to protect my job.”
“Which is furthest from the truth?” Q supplies, crossing his arms.
“No shit,” Cody says, voice firmer than usual. It’s almost as if he’s getting offended for me. “You married her. You put a ring on her finger and offered to be her baby’s daddy. That’s not something you do out of guilt. You chose to do these things. You chose her.”
“I know that, but she believes I deserve better. As if there’s anyone out there better for me.”
I rake my hand down my face as Q glances between us, but Cody speaks first. “How can we help?”
I shake my head. “By being here. Letting her see she has people in her corner besides me. She needs to see that she’s still her and she doesn’t have to carry the weight alone.”
“I’m sure it feels like a lot. Hell, moving to Cleveland has felt like a lot and I don’t have a newborn.”
“I’ve never seen her look this lost. It’s terrifying.”
“Alright,” Q says, clapping his hands. “Let’s get this game over with and find our women. We’ll show her we’re here.”
“Thanks, guys. Seriously.”
We take a moment and clap hands, pulling each other in for a quick hug. It’s not much, but it feels like everything. These guyshave been like my brothers. When they graduated and moved to different states, I admittedly was terrified they’d forget about me. I was the one who stayed behind. The one who wasn’t moving on to the next level. Hell, I wasn’t dating anyone. I felt so alone, but this right here, this proved that they’ll always have my back.
These guys have their own lives, significant others, and grueling sports schedules, but damn, it means everything to know they dropped everything to show up for me. For her. Forus.
I didn’t realize how badly I needed the reminder that I’m not doing this alone. I don’t have to white-knuckle my way through life, because we have people who care and who will help carry the load.
They’ve got my back, and it gives me hope I can be strong enough for Savannah.
Bret’s townhouse smells like freshly baked cheesecake, thanks to Chloe and her idea to whip up some dessert. Brynn, Chloe, and I walked down the street to Bret, Crew, and Tyler’s townhouse thirty minutes ago when the guys texted, sayingthey were bringing home an early dinner. I watch Chloe move effortlessly around the kitchen as if she’s never left.
“Can you fly down and cook for me?” Bret whines from her barstool.
“I can teach you a few things,” Chloe answers, stirring a strawberry reduction in a saucepan.
“Really?” Bret’s voice doesn’t conceal her excitement.
Chloe chuckles. “Yeah. Or I can have my dad teach you a few basics?”
Bret’s eyes widen. “He’d do that?”
“He loves teaching the basics, especially for people who over salt their food.”
Bret groans. “You heard about that?”
“Yeah, the first time you cooked for the guys, you put so much salt on the asparagus they thought their kidneys were going to shut down.”
“Tyler is so dramatic,” Bret grumbles.
“If this cheesecake doesn’t slap, we’re revoking your food blog,” Brynn jokes, taking a sip of her margarita. She made a pitcher of her famous lime margaritas when we arrived. Lennon is nestled in the travel bassinet we’ve been carting everywhere, while Cleo sleeps in their pack-and-play, both girls tucked in Bret and Crew’s room.
Crew and Tyler are playing a video game in the living room, giving the four of us a chance to catch up. Bret transferred last year, but she was able to form a quick friendship with Chloe and Brynn before they graduated. With the girls sleeping, the energy in the kitchen is calm.
But with the sound of the front door opening, the energy shifts. Brynn’s margarita sloshes as she straightens her spine like a lioness ready to pounce. She doesn’t miss a beat, pointing a finger toward the entryway as the golfers spill in. Their laughter fills the space, and my heart warms at seeing Grant so carefree.
“I swear to God, if any of you wake the babies, I’m leaving you with mine for the next forty-eight hours.”
Bret chokes on her sip. “Straight to the point. I’m here for it.”
“I give Cody five seconds before he forgets the warning. He has no clue what parenthood is like,” Chloe whispers.
