Page 71 of Interference
Kellan chuckles. “Let’s be real, they came down to see you. We’re just an added bonus.”
“Are you jealous already that the baby is cooler than you?” Grace quips.
“Gracie Bear, that baby can only hope to be half as cool as me,” he tells her, making her roll her eyes.
“Let’s sit,” I tell Emery.
We all move and sit down in the living room. I pull Emery close so she’s practically sitting in my lap.
“What’s the book?” Wyatt asks, tipping his chin toward Emery’s hand.
“A book of baby names,” she tells him.
“Kellan is a great name. Strong too,” Kellan tells us.
“We are not naming my child after you, and before any of you ask, you will know the name we pick when we know,” I tell them.
“I’m hungry,” Peyton says, changing the subject.
The topic turns to food, and I look down at the girl in my arms.
“You’re staring,” she murmurs as her eyes ping pong between my friends.
“You good? We can leave if you want to.”
She looks up at me and smiles. “I want to be here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She looks at my friends for a moment before looking back at me. “You know, I’ve always been kind of jealous of you and these guys.”
“What do you mean?”
She gives me a sad smile. “You met these guys because of hockey, but you bonded. You all moved in together and created your own family. Then you accepted the girls when they came into the picture. You have this sense of community that I’ve never had. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you have them and everything, but it makes me a little sad that I’ve never had it.”
“You know they are your family now, too, right?” My hand touches her stomach, lightly. “I’m not saying they are just because of our baby, but because they’ve always wanted to know you. Grace and Peyton wanted to get to know you when they first heard about you, but I told them no.”
“Why? Why did you tell them no?”
“Because I was afraid it would overwhelm you, and you would run.” I shrug.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m not running anymore.”
“No, you are not.” I lean down and kiss her.
“Awww,” the girls coo all at once.
Emery drops her head to my chest, but her shoulders shake in silent laughter.
“Could you not?” I glare at the girls.
“Dude, you do know that turnabout is fair play, right? You gave us shit about our relationships, and now it’s your turn,” Beckett points out.
“Emery, how do you feel about Mexican food? Would the smell or anything bother you? Does it sound okay?” Grace asks, changing the subject once again.
“What about me? Are you going to ask if I want some?” Clay teases his girl.
Grace rolls her eyes. “I’ll ask for your opinion when you’re the one who’s pregnant.”
