He stretches out his arm above Camden’s head and opens his hand. I place mine in his, and he squeezes. “Thank you. I know this is asking a lot of you, but he loves you. I’m going to be gone a lot in the coming weeks, and then the season’s starting. I just need you to stay. I’ll increase your pay, whatever I need to do.”
“You pay me more than enough. More than what I was making as a teacher by far, and this little guy makes it easy. You can lean on me, Baker. Let me help you navigate this.”
He expels a heavy breath. “You’re saving my ass.”
“Language,” I scold, and that earns me a tiny tilt of his lips. “It’s all going to be okay.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, but he doesn’t sound so sure of himself.
His phone rings, and he scrambles to silence the ringer. “That’s my agent. He must have heard the news. I should have called him, but I was in shock, and then I needed to check on the two of you.”
“Go, take the call. He’s sound asleep. I can stay up here with him.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. Maybe just grab the monitor, and I can take it from you after I talk to Tommy.”
“Absolutely. I’ll secure the gate at his bedroom door and at the top of the stairs, as well.”
He nods, kisses Camden’s forehead, and climbs out of bed, disappearing from the room.
“I’m so sorry, sweet boy,” I whisper. Tears fill my eyes when I think about him growing up without his mom. She wasn’t the most attentive, but she was here, and there was time for her to change her ways. We all wanted her to do better for Camden, but we didn’t want this. Never this.
Carefully, I climb out of bed, grab the monitor, and secure both gates before making my way downstairs. Everyone is sitting in the living room with somber expressions.
“Where’s Baker?” Reid asks.
“Tommy called,” I tell him, because I know from hanging around these guys that they all share an agent. Not the fuckstick Conner, who was Knox and Foster’s first agent, who also happens to be Corie’s ex. Long story. But the new guy, they all seem to love him. He has their best interests at heart.
“How was he?” Bellamy asks.
“He’s sad,” I say, keeping it simple. I’ve never held back from my friends, but Baker confided in me about his guilt, and I’m sure he’ll tell them all eventually, but for right now, I’m keeping his words locked up tightly.
“Damn,” Knox mutters as he pulls Corie into his chest and kisses her temple. “Our boy’s had a rough couple of years.”
“He said her parents are gone,” Foster adds.
I nod. “I offered to help with whatever he needs.”
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Landry tells me. “He’s going to need the support in the coming weeks, and knowing Camden is safe and taken care of will be a huge burden off his shoulders.”
“I can help,” Corie offers.
“We all can,” Rowan agrees.
“Me, too,” Amanda says.
“You know I’m in,” Bellamy tells me.
“Thanks,” I say, emotions welling in my throat. “Camden is easy. I’ve spent the week with them, as you know, and I have his routine down. I have all the necessary numbers and have signed all the forms at the doctor’s office to have him treated, and even have a signed emergency letter that was notarized and signed by both Baker and me.”
“He’s such a good dad,” Bellamy replies as Coral starts to fuss.
“I’ve got her,” Foster says. He’s standing the closest to the Pack ‘N’ Play where she was sleeping.
I watch him as he gently lifts her into his arms and snuggles her. He whispers something we can’t hear, but Coral instantly settles as he gently rubs her back.
Baker steps back into the room and stops next to me. I hold up the baby monitor, and he reaches for it, but I pull my hand back. “I’ll get him if he wakes up. Make calls, or sit and drink a beer, go for a drive, take a nap, go for a run. Whatever you need, Baker, I’ve got Cam.”
He opens his arms for a hug, and I step into his embrace. His woodsy scent washes over me, and his breath shudders.
