“Knock knock,” a feminine voice says from behind me. I don’t need to turn to look to know that it’s Sloane. We’ve spent a lot of time together this week, getting her up to speed with everything while I’m at training camp that starts on Monday.
“Hey,” I greet her, as I pull Camden’s shorts up over his diaper.
“I have something for the two of you,” she says, stepping into the room. “I was worried they weren’t going to be here on time, but they came in last night, and I went over to Corie and Knox’s to pick them up when I left here,” she tells me.
“What is it?”
“These.” She hands me a small bag. She slides over next to me and lifts Camden from the changing table while I dig inside the bag.
Placing the bag on the changing table, I slip my hand inside and reach for the fabric. Pulling it out, I hold it up and grin. “What’s this?” I ask the question, but I know what it is. It’s a football jersey. It’s got the number 2 on the front, and Team Camden is embroidered over the number.
“Your outfit for the day. Turn it around.”
Doing as she says, I can’t contain my laughter when I read Sinclair written across the back. “This is incredible.”
“There’s one in there for Camden, too.”
I dig back into the bag and pull out a miniature version of my jersey. The front is the same as mine, in a smaller scale, and the back reads Sinclair, as well. “This is fantastic. Thank you, Sloane.” I’m not gonna lie, emotion burns the back of my throat.
“You’re welcome. We all have them to wear today.”
“Really?”
She nods. “Of course. It’s this little man’s big day. We have to support Team Camden.” She kisses my son on the cheek, and I can’t help but think this is what it was supposed to be like.
I was supposed to have my kid’s mother by my side, doing things like planning epic birthday parties with personalized jerseys.
“You did tell Bellamy to do her worst with your credit card.” Sloane laughs.
“I would have paid double, and I don’t even know what it cost me.” I smile and take another look at the jerseys. “What do you think, bud? You want to wear your jersey?”
Camden tilts his head to the side as if he can’t figure me out, and again, I find myself laughing. My son never fails to make me smile, but today, this moment feels different. Like the weight of the last two years, the stress of Natasha always pushing our son to the back burner in her life is gone. All that’s left is me and my kid and those who mean the most to us. I know that I have to stop worrying about Natasha and her relationship with Camden. I know that I need to love my son with everything I have inside me and let the rest of the cards fall where they may.
“Let’s do this.” Sloane shifts Camden in her arms, and I pull the jersey over his head. “Two, that’s how old you are today. Can you say two?”
“Two!” Camden cheers and points at his chest.
“That’s right,” I praise.
“Try it on.” Sloane nods to my jersey.
“Do you have one?” I know she said everyone had one, but she’s not wearing hers, and for some reason, it’s important that she does. I just don’t know why.
“I do. It’s downstairs. I got here a little early to give you all yours before you took this guy to the park. I’m going to help everyone set up.”
“Thank you, Sloane. This is incredible,” I say, slipping the jersey on over the top of my T-shirt.
“It was a group effort. Now, the guys are meeting you at the park. Reid has Coral, as well, but you need to skedaddle so we can get this par-tay started,” she sings, bouncing Camden in her arms. He giggles and grips tightly to her shirt.
“Come on, bud. Let’s go slide,” I tell my son, taking him from her arms. “An hour or so?” I ask Sloane.
“That’s more than enough time.” She nods.
“Thank you. We’ll be back,” I tell her before turning and walking out the door. When I make it to the kitchen, I find the small diaper bag I use for the park, already packed with a sippy cup of milk with an ice pack, two bottles of water, snacks, toys, a blanket—even though it’s hot as balls outside, it’s a comfort thing for Camden—and, of course, his stuffed Rowdy the Rampage Rhino. “Sloane,” I whisper. It’s not even been a full week, and already her presence in our lives is profound.
Making a mental note to thank her later, I head out to the garage, and instead of jogging to the park, I choose to drive. It’s a short trip, and the guys and baby Coral are already here by the time I get Camden unloaded from the back of my SUV.
Knox intercepts him, tosses him into the air, and takes off for the swings, with Landry hot on his heels. Coral’s eyes are bright as she takes it all in, while Reid walks her around the park, pointing at birds and whatever else he can find to show his daughter.
