NINETEEN
THEO
I pullout of the practice facility’s parking lot, heading toward the highway. It was a long, full practice that began with what felt like a hundred hours of watching tape in preparation for Sunday’s game. We followed that up with an afternoon on the field, running drills until we were ready to puke. I’m tired, hungry, and dying to hold my girl while she tells me about her day.
I’m not two minutes into my drive when my phone rings, my sister’s name flashing across the screen. I expected this, since photos of our trip to the maternity boutique were plastered all over social media before we even cashed out. It’s been three days, which might actually be a new record for Tatum. I don’t think she’s ever minded her own business for this long.
“Hello, my dear sister,” I say in greeting. “To what do I owe th?—”
“Wanna tell me about the pretty redhead youknocked up, or should I just continue getting my information from Aunt Judy’s grocery delivery girl? She’s crushed that you’re off the market, by the way, according to the seventy-three unsolicited DMs I found in my spam folder earlier.”
“That’s fucking weird,” I deadpan. “And I didn’t knock anyone up. I told you about Finley. She’s staying with me and taking care of Boner while I’m on the road.”
“Mhmm,” she hums. “Youdidtell me that. But you failed to mention that there was more going on between the two of you. Pictures don’t lie, Teddy Graham. Even from fifty yards away, any idiot can see that you’re smitten.”
I cringe at her use of my childhood nickname, but don’t bother to stop her, because she’ll just do it more. Tate’s mission in life is to humiliate me, and if I show any signs of weakness, she’ll pounce.
A true she-devil, that one.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” I say, flipping on my blinker before taking the exit that leads to my house, “but yes, I like her. It’s no big deal.”
A high-pitched squeal filters through the speakers, and my eyes roll so far back that they almost fall right out. “I knew it!” she cackles. “I told Mom you did, but she swore that her sweet baby would never keep something so important from her. Can I be there when you tell her, so I can celebrate becoming the favorite once again?”
“Tater Tot,” I drawl, weaponizing her nicknamebecause I refuse to go down without landing a few jabs of my own. “You haven’t been the favorite since the day they brought me home. We both know that’ll never change.”
“You’re the worst,” she huffs, making me chuckle in response.
“I know I am. Anyway, how are the kids? How’s Kyle’s new job?” My brother-in-law is a kick-ass video game developer and just landed a position with one of the most prestigious companies in the world. The guy’s a literal saint for putting up with my sister’s spoiled ass. I’m happy that he’s finally living the dream he’s been working toward for years.
“The kids are wild and crazy, as always,” she says. “Evie is cutting teeth, so we’ve had a few sleepless nights this week, but she’s doing better. Reid starts indoor soccer next week. And Kyle is loving the wholework-from-homething. It’s been fun mouth-breathing over his shoulder while he tries to code. I think he really enjoys it.”
I bark a laugh. I guarantee she annoys the hell out of him, but he’d never say a word because he’s so obsessed with her. They’ve been together forever, and I swear they’re more in love every time I see them. I guess having parents like ours left a lasting impression. They’ve shown us what a healthy relationship looks like, even through pain, loss, and adversity.
“Anyway,” she continues. “Since you’re keeping that poor girl locked away, we’ve decided to plan a little visit. The whole family will be up next month to meet her.”
“Great,” I groan, a tiny pit of dread settling in my stomach. It’s not that I don’t want to introduce them to Finley, but they’re…a lot. My sister lacks a filter, and my mom won’t be satisfied until she has nine million grandkids running around. Fin isn’t used to that sort of thing, and I don’t want them to frighten her. On the other hand, I know they’ll welcome her with open arms, adding to the support system she’s going to need when the baby is born.
We end the call just as I pull into my housing complex. It’s barely even dinner time, but it’s almost pitch-black outside when I approach the garage. Light filtering from the living room window catches my attention, and I look just in time to see Fin dance into the room. She turns, using what looks to be a wooden spoon as a microphone, serenading Boner, who jumps and wags at her feet. She throws her head back, a delicate hand lying on top of her bump as she performs like she’s on the grandest stage.
Happiness hits me like a blindside block, my heart squeezing so tightly that I feel like it may actually explode. This is the life I’ve always wanted. The house, the dog, the beautiful woman, and the baby growing inside her. That little girl may not have my DNA, but I love her already, and her mom just might be my favorite person in the whole world.
I know it’s crazy. She hasn’t been here long, and we haven’t put a label on anything, but I don’t give a fuck. My feelings for Finley are much bigger than anything I’ve ever experienced in the past. This isn’t just one of those surface-level connections you get when you’recrushing on someone. It’s a bond that we’ve built slowly, starting as a friendship and growing into something that’ll leave its mark, no matter what the future holds.
I enter the house quietly, grateful that the upbeat pop music is loud enough to keep my presence unknown. The view from outside was great and all, but I can’t think of anything I want more than to see it up close. I want to hear her voice, smell her perfume, and breathe in the energy she exudes.
They’ve moved to the kitchen by the time I have my coat and shoes off, but Finley’s still singing at the top of her lungs, her microphone now being used to stir whatever she’s got simmering on the stove. Her little shadow sits patiently beside her, no doubt waiting for something to drop so he can gobble it up. She shakes her ass to the beat, her long red waves sweeping dramatically across her back as she moves.
When I can no longer stand the space between us, I step toward her, garnering Boner’s attention. He wags his tail, tongue flopping out of his mouth in excitement, but my dude doesn’t give me away. Instead, he bounces his gaze between us as if he’s just as excited for her reaction as I am.
As soon as she’s within my reach, I snake both arms around her belly. She startles at first, sucking in a sharp gasp and going completely rigid. But when I bring my lips to her ear, kissing the lobe before I speak, she relaxes into my hold.
“Is this dance party open to the public?” I murmur. “Because there’s this pretty little thing I’ve been dying to make a move on, but I don’t know if she’ll let me.”
A soft smile blooms across her face, and she sets the spoon on the counter before turning and looping her arms around my neck. “I don’t know. I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
With that, I lower my head, slanting my mouth over hers. The kiss is unhurried and full of emotion, our bodies swaying to the music as it fades into a much slower song. Her nails scrape gently through the hair at my nape, causing goosebumps to rise in a trail behind them. I can’t get enough of her—of this unexpected and perfect life we’re living.
“How was your day, baby?” I ask, resting my forehead against hers as we continue moving languidly to the soft ballad. My hands rest on the small of her back, our bodies still so close that her growing stomach presses into my lower abdomen.
