His eyes widen in realization as he sucks in a breath. “The way you play, Kennedy. It’s so rough. There are always elbows flying and hard falls to the ground. It might be dangerous for the baby.”
A bit of anger bubbles inside me, but I do my best to remain calm as I state, “To be perfectly clear, while I value your thoughts on our child tremendously, I’m not asking for your permission on this issue. My style of play will not change. You’re about to become a father. Will your style of play change?” I challenge.
He’s quiet. It’s not a battle he should fight, and he realizes it.
TWENTY-FOUR
KENNEDY
Ileft Daylen’s house with us on shaky ground. I needed to get away from him. At least he promised to keep things under wraps until we have a more concise plan. That guy would happily walk into his next practice wearing a #GirlDad shirt, and we don’t even know if we’re having a girl.
My mind is a clusterfuck, and I need a level-headed person to talk to. I texted Fallon asking if I could come by her house. She said Harper was home but I was welcome.
I pull into her driveway. She lives in a McMansion not too far from Daylen. I guess she did well in her divorce settlement. I’m confident a physical therapist's salary can’t quite make a house like this happen. It’s very in keeping with the area, with a stone façade and black window frames. The white vertical siding on one section of the house looks new and is a nice touch. There are two large bay windows, and I smile as I see Harper’s face pressed to one of them. I guess Fallon told her I was coming by.
I walk to the door, but before my finger reaches the doorbell, the door swings open with a grinning Harper standing there. Ihope my kid is as happy as she is. I certainly wasn’t when I was her age, being raised by nannies because my parents couldn’t be bothered.
Holding my hand in the air for a high-five, I say, “What’s up, little genius? Any fun words for me today?”
She jumps in the air to smack my hand. “Yep. Petard.”
“Umm, what’s that?” I ask, having never heard the word before.
“A small bomb,” she answers. “I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to incorporate that into my daily life, but I’m going to try.”
I think a petard was just detonated in my life. Look at me. I used it in a sentence.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I offer. “Can you say,I’m the petard?” I make a bomb-exploding motion with my hands.
She giggles. “No, silly.”
I shrug. “I tried. Is your mom around?”
She nods. “Yep. She just got out of the shower. She said for me to bring you to the kitchen if you arrived before she was done and offer you some water because you should always offer guests a drink when they arrive.”
I suddenly feel the need to write all these parenting tips down. That’s a smart one. Teaching your kid how to be a good host.
We walk through the house, which is nicely decorated with elegant yet warm and homey touches. “Your house is awesome, Harper.”
She nods. “My grandma helped Mommy decorate it when we moved here. I was a little girl. I barely remember.”
“Does your dad live nearby?”
“Yep. He and Bails are super close. I felt the babies kick in her belly yesterday. It was freaky,” she exclaims with excitement.
I look down at my stomach. That will be me soon. Hopefully not too soon.
As I sit on a stool in the kitchen and Harper excitedly fetchesme a glass of water, I hear Fallon yell from upstairs. “Harper, is Kennedy here yet?”
Harper yells back, “Yes, Mommy. She’s eating all your rum raisin ice cream.” She smiles with mischief.
“Don’t lie to me, Harper Montgomery,” Fallon scolds.
Harper places her little hands on her hips. “Santa, The Tooth Fairy, and The Easter Bunny. ’Nuff said, Mommy.”
A laugh bubbles from my throat. This kid is a riot.
Fallon walks into the kitchen with wet hair, small shorts, and an equally small T-shirt. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wearing so little. She’s got a great body. She must get hit on all the time.
