“I know you’re used to doing everything on your own, but I’m here now, and I want to help.” There’s so much meaning to those words. I do want to help him. I know being a single dad isn’t easy. Baker is one of those men who just handles business. Camden is his son, and he wants to be everything for him when his job allows. But this, everyone needs a shoulder, and I know he has to be lonely. Yes, he has the guys and our entire friend group, but he comes home alone. He hasn’t dated since Natasha told him she was pregnant. He’s isolated himself to being Camden’s dad, but he’s also still a man, and he’s looking at me right now with so many emotions swirling in his hazel eyes.
I see pain, sadness, appreciation, and hunger. His lingering touch tells me that I’m the cause of his hunger, and while I know it’s wrong, if he needs me, I’ll take one for the team and be whatever he needs. I’m not a hookup kind of girl. Sure, I tease and talk, but my heart can’t separate sex and emotions, but for this man, for my friend, I’d make the sacrifice.
“I wouldn’t have gotten through this without you.” Leaning forward, he places his lips to my forehead, making Camden giggle and lean toward me, as well. I step close so that he can reach me. Baker slides his arm around my waist, while his son mimics his daddy and places a kiss, albeit a sloppy one, on my forehead.
Baker pulls me closer, and I lean into him. Giving him my strength, giving it to both of them on one of the hardest days they’ll have to face.
“We should go,” I say, stepping back. He drops his hand and nods. Turning on my heel, I walk out of the room. I try like hell to hide my attraction to him because today is not the day. He’s emotional and overwhelmed. That’s all this is. I need to lock down these feelings swirling inside me.
In the kitchen, I grab the small diaper bag I packed and the larger one.
“Two bags?” Baker asks.
“Yeah, the smaller one we can take into the services, and the larger one has more reinforcements: extra snacks, clothes, toys, the travel cooler with extra milk, and juice.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” He smiles softly.
“Just trying to take some things off your shoulders,” I admit.
He parts his lips as if he’s going to reply but quickly closes it and nods. “I’ll get the door,” he says, as he leads the way to the mudroom, pulls open the door, and motions for me to step into the garage.
An hour later, we’re standing inside the funeral home. Family was to arrive an hour early. Baker hesitates with Camden on his hip, as we spot Levi’s family by the two closed caskets and a display of pictures of Natasha and Levi together and separate.
“I’m here,” I whisper, placing my hand on his back.
He peers down at me and nods, before slowly taking a step and then another until we’re standing in front of Levi’s parents. They’re older, and you can see the pain and heartache on their faces.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Baker says, his voice gravelly.
“Thank you,” Levi’s father says. “You’re Baker, right?” he asks. “I’ve watched you play.”
“Yes, sir. This is my”—he clears his throat—“Natasha’s and my son, Camden.”
I watch as shock crosses Levi’s parents' faces. “She had a son?” his mom whispers. “Now, I understand why you were so worried about laying her to rest. I thought it was odd that you were so concerned with our son’s fiancée. I chalked it up to grief, or maybe you still had feelings for her. Now, I understand.”
I feel Baker tense next to me, and I step a little closer. He wraps his free arm around me, gripping my waist tightly as if he needs me to anchor him from his anger. We stand in silence, and I know I need to do something.
“I’m Sloane,” I tell them. “This is Camden. Can you say hi?” I ask him. Camden shies away from them, burrowing into his daddy’s chest. “He’s being bashful,” I say, trying to break the ice.
“How old is he?” Levi’s dad asks.
“He’ll be two next week,” I answer, because Baker is still seething.
“My goodness, they never told us,” his mom breathes, her eyes filling with tears. She shakes her head and gives us a watery smile. “Baker, the flowers you sent were beautiful,” she says, trying to change the subject. I’m certain she can see the anger flowing off him in waves.
“Wh—” Baker starts, but I cut him off.
“It’s the least we could do,” I tell them. “We’re going to go grab a seat.” With that, I turn away from them, Baker keeping his tight hold on both Camden and me as we make our way to the back of the room, allowing the other immediate family members a chance to pay their respects before the public is permitted entrance.
“I’m sorry,” I say in a rush, as Camden reaches for me. I hold out my arms, and he crawls into my lap. I lean into Baker, hoping to offer him some comfort, but it’s hard for me because while I hate that she lost her life, I can’t imagine why Natasha wouldn’t be shouting from the rooftops about her adorable, sweet baby boy. “I sent flowers, too. I wasn’t sure if you did, and I just thought it would be better to send too many than not at all.”
“You sent flowers?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Did you use my card?”
“Yes.”
