“Daddy,” he says, patting the spot next to him.
“So demanding,” I tease, climbing into his big-boy bed with him.
“I’ll be downstairs,” Sloane says, and turns.
“No!” Camden says. “Swoan, book.” He pats the other side of the bed.
Sloane’s eyes find mine. “King Cam has spoken,” I say, keeping my tone light. “Come read a book with us, Swoan,” I say her name just like Camden does.
“You two are too handsome to say no to,” she says, moving to climb into bed, on the other side of my son. She settles on her side, and when her eyes meet mine, all the air seems to be sucked out of the room.
When my son snuggles into her side, grabs my hand, and tugs, my heart hammers, but I move in close. Closer to him, and closer to her, and I start to read. I can’t help but think this is how it’s supposed to feel. Having someone to share these moments with. I know Sloane isn’t that person—that’s not why she’s here—but in this moment, it feels like it’s ours. And for the first time in my life, I don’t know how to follow the play.
Chapter Ten
Sloane
* * *
I’ve been up for a couple of hours. Baker didn’t tell me what he needed me to do today, but I figure that’s because he doesn’t know. How does one plan for laying their child’s mother to rest?
So, I took some liberties. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, right? I’m dressed and ready for the day, so when I hear Camden cooing in his room, I head in to get the little man ready.
Baker went back and forth on taking him to the service today. It will be two weeks tomorrow since he got the news that Natasha and her fiancé, Levi, were killed in a plane crash. Levi’s parents handled everything, and from what Baker has told me, they’ve been great about keeping him informed.
“Hey, bud,” I whisper as I step into Camden’s room. He rubs at his eyes, his hair sticking up all over the place, and then he gives me a heart-stopping grin. The same one I’m greeted with every morning when he sees me.
“Swoan,” he says, his smile growing wider, if that’s even possible.
“Let’s get you some breakfast,” I say, lifting him into my arms and carrying him to the changing table.
He babbles, still rubbing his tired eyes as I get his diaper changed, then we head downstairs. After placing him in his highchair, I grab the strawberries from the fridge and slice up a few to get him started, while I pop a waffle into the toaster. We need to be on the road in an hour, so we’re looking for quick options today.
“One waffle,” I tell him, placing his plate on the tray with his cut-up waffle and cinnamon butter. No syrup today, because this boy goes crazy with it, and we don’t have time for a full-blown bath since he sometimes takes his sweet time eating.
“Morning,” Baker says from the doorway of the kitchen. He leans down and pecks a kiss on the top of Camden’s head before his eyes find mine. His eyes take me in, roaming every inch of my body. “You look beautiful,” he says, his voice gruff. “Why are you all dressed up?”
“I was thinking that, if it’s all right with you, I would tag along today. I could help with Cam if he gets fussy or whatever during the memorial.”
Baker swallows hard. “Really?” he asks, his voice cracking.
“I’m here for whatever you need, Baker.”
“This isn’t part of your job,” he counters, but there’s no fight in his tone. He wants me to go today.
I made it sound like it was for Camden, but it’s for him, too. He’s going to be the odd man out, and I want to be there to support him. The guys are all at training camp. Rowan and Corie are, as well. Bellamy has Coral, so I told her not to come, and Amanda couldn’t get the day off work. I’m his only option, since his parents are still traveling. “My job is to take care of this little guy anytime you need me to. I also want to be there for you,” I confess.
“Sloane—” he starts, but Camden interrupts him.
“Daddy, yum!” He holds out a bite of his waffle, and Baker smiles down at him.
“That’s yours, kiddo. Daddy will grab something.” Then he mutters, “Shit,” under his breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t think about getting him something nice to wear today. I mean, he has nice clothes, but it should be a little fancier, right? I’m certain anything he has no longer fits him. Fuck,” he says, running his hands through his hair.
“Puck!” Camden says excitedly.
