Page 39 of Shootout Daddies
He leans forward, forearms resting on his thighs. “Rhett’s still in shock. He keeps saying he’s fine, but I’ve known him too long. He’s spinning.”
“He’s not the only one.”
Hunter gives me a sheepish smile. “You’re handling this better than we are.”
“I’ve changed more diapers than I can count. You two looked like you were trying to defuse a bomb earlier.”
“I was sweating,” he admits. “Like, actually sweating.”
We sit in silence for a moment, just watching the slow rise and fall of Chloe’s chest as she sleeps.
I glance at him. “So why are you up, anyway? I told you two to get some rest. You have practice bright and early.”
He doesn’t answer right away.
“I don’t always sleep well,” he says eventually. “Been better lately. Melatonin helps. Sex helps.” He shrugs. “But then we kind of saddled you with the baby tonight and I felt like shit about that.”
“You didn’t saddle me with anything,” I say gently. “We were all up until one a.m. I just have more experience.”
“I’m still sorry.”
I wave him off. “You were shell-shocked. Understandable.”
Hunter looks at Chloe again, then at me. “What do we do?”
I rub my eyes. “First? Paternity. That’s non-negotiable. One of you’s the dad, and you both deserve to know.”
“And if word gets out?” he asks quietly.
“You mean about a baby showing up at the penthouse of two Miami Icemen?”
“Exactly. The league, the media, the team—sponsors will lose their minds.”
I think about it. “Then we keep it quiet. Just for now. Call the doctor privately. Get an NDA if we have to right? Wait until you have facts.”
Hunter leans back, sighing.
“You want to hold her?” I ask, nodding toward the couch.
He looks surprised. “Me?”
“She likes you.”
“I panicked earlier.”
“She was covered in drool. This is different.”
I pick Chloe up and walk over, easing her gently into his arms.
Hunter goes still for a moment, but his arms cradle her perfectly. She stirs, adjusts, and then snuggles in.
“You’re a natural,” I murmur, grinning.
He stares down at her. “She’s so small.”
“She’s nine months old. You’re holding a person who’ll be walking and talking very soon.”
He looks up. “We’re gonna need… a crib. Clothes.”
