I offer a small smile in gratitude. “I hope so.”
I take out my phone to text Kennedy about Benny getting some of the foods she likes when I look out to see my family laughing. I want them to meet her. When the day comes that I tell them about the baby, I want them to know who I’m talking about. I want them to know who the mother of my child is.
I decide to text her asking if she’ll come by.
TWENTY-FIVE
DAYLEN
“If she doesn’t rip a fart, she doesn’t have your heart,” my father happily announces.
My sister and I burst out laughing, while Ashleigh covers her face in mortification. I have to hold my stomach. “That’s the funniest story I’ve ever heard.”
Apparently, Ashleigh came to watch my dad in court this week, and during a particularly tense moment, she accidentally farted. Of course my dad is trying to make her feel better about it, telling her that farting in front of your significant other is a sign of being comfortable and in love.
She shakes her head. “In front ofyou, maybe. All those people? Horrific. They all knew who it came from.”
My sister is hyperventilating, she’s laughing so hard.
I hear BJ release her protective bark and then go running toward the gate. My father sucks in a breath. “Oh shit. D, do something.”
I turn in time to see Kennedy and Pierce walking through to my backyard. BJ stops right in front of Kennedy and thengently lifts her snout for a kiss, which Kennedy happily obliges along with a sweet rub behind her ear.
It’s like BJ knows to be careful around Kennedy. It’s unbelievable.
And Kennedy looks fucking hot. I knew she was playing pickleball, but perhaps it’s time for me to take up this sport. She’s in a tiny little white skirt and a sleeveless matching top that is only slightly more material than a sports bra. There’s about an inch or two of her sexy stomach showing. I can’t help but stare at it, knowing my baby is growing inside her. My heart swells with affection for both of my girls. Three, if you count BJ.
Yes, I’m convinced it’s a girl. I was born to be a girl dad. I keep imagining holding her little body in my hands and loving her, the same way I did with Jagger.
Pierce is wearing athletic shorts and a T-shirt. His eyes immediately zero in on my sister in her bikini. Little fucker.
I turn to my family. “I invited some friends. They’re Coach Jeffries’ kids.” I look at my sister. “Pierce is going to be a freshman this year at a college nearby. I thought you two could chat about it. He might have some insights for you.”
She stares at him and licks her lips. “Thanks, bro. You’re the best.”
What the fuck is happening?
I stand and make my way over to them, first shaking Pierce’s hand and then kissing Kennedy’s cheek. I whisper into her ear, “Thanks for coming. You look edible. I’m going to fuck you in this skirt sometime.”
She takes a sharp inhale. I lift my head in time to see her face flush and her lips part. She likes that idea. All hope isn’t lost.
“How was pickleball?” I cheerily ask both of them as if I didn’t just tell her I was going to defile her.
Pierce answers, “Kennedy carried us. She ate and left no crumbs.”
“She’s a professional athlete,”and the mother of my child, “of course she was awesome. She’s good at everything. Come,” I wave in invitation, “meet my family.”
I introduce everyone. My father takes one look at Kennedy and then wiggles his eyebrows up and down at me. Yeah, no shit she’s hot. She looks like Wonder Woman with all those curves and her height. Ooh, I bet she’d look amazing in a Wonder Woman costume. New fantasy unlocked.
I offer Pierce a bathing suit of mine. It will be big on him, but he can tie it tight. He disappears inside to get it. I told him to ask Benny where to find it. In no time at all, he and Jagger are yapping away in the pool like long-lost friends.
Dad looks at them. “I think we have a love connection.”
I lean back. “Normally I would intimidate the crap out of any potential suitor, but I happen to like Pierce.”
Kennedy smiles with amusement as she watches them interact. She’s probably never seen her brother this way before.
My dad and Kennedy talk for a while. I sit back and let nature take its course. I’m just happy they seem to be getting along so well.
