“Such bullshit,” I mutter, throwing myself back into the cushions like a petulant child. “What the fuck is a 5thAvenue anyway? If you want to be a Butterfinger, just say that.”
“Can I ask why we’re playing baby shower games?” Jett says from beside me, a bottle of beer hanging haphazardly between his fingers. “I thought we were here to help you set up the nursery.”
“You are,” I reply. “I didn’t start on the last coat of paint when I wanted to because Syd was twenty minutes late picking Fin up today. And since they refused to take any of my game suggestions for the actual shower, I figured we could do them instead. You’re welcome, by the way, for not being a boring host.”
Emmett’s expression twists with disgust. “I could’ve gone my whole life without any of this. I hope the girls are having a better time than we are. How much longer before the walls are dry?”
I check my phone, noting that it’s been about three hours since I finished up. It’s been hard to do anything without spoiling the surprise, even during our bye week, but I wanted the entire room to be finished when Fin arrived home this evening. I bought items straight from her registry and used the pictures she sent to Bailey when they were talking about her dream nursery. I still feel a little bad about facilitating that entire conversation behind Finley’s back, but I had to be onehundred percent sure that the baby’s room was exactly what she wanted.
“We’re good,” I say, standing and leading them all upstairs. They immediately get to work, each of them choosing one piece of furniture to assemble and laying the components out in front of them. I make a beeline for the crib, because for some reason, I’m sentimental about it. The fact that a beautiful baby girl will be sleeping here in just over two months has me feeling several different emotions, but none of them more than true contentment.
I know Finley and I still haven’t put a label on what we are, but to be honest, it doesn’t bother me. I’m sure we’ll sort it all out when the time is right, but it won’t change a thing because at the end of the day, one thing will always be true—she’s mine, I’m hers, and that’s our daughter growing inside her.
“You ready to be a girl dad?” Austin says, the words rolling off his tongue so naturally. Even though they’re all fully aware that the baby isn’t biologically mine, they’ve treated me like a father-to-be since the day I first felt her kick. I think that’s when it became real to all of us, nobody more so than me.
“Fuck yeah, I am,” I reply, a bright smile blooming across my face. “I’m all about the bows and glitter. Bring it on.”
“Bows and glitter are the least of your worries,” Emmett mutters, keeping his gaze pinned to the glider rocker he’s assembling. “Wait until she brings home her first boyfriend. Watch him be some badass biker with tatted arms that are bigger than yours.” He chuckles,deepening his tone. “Hey there, Mr. Calloway. Your daughter calls me Daddy now.”
My eyes go wide, fingers curling into fists as I slowly turn his way. Every muscle in my body is wound whipcord tight, and all of a sudden, it feels like the room is closing in around me…and it’s spinning. “What did you just say?” I croak.
“Relax. He’s joking,” Jett says on a laugh. “Besides, she’s got a whole team of uncles who will show her how to throw a punch. She’ll be fine.”
I slowly slide my gaze in his direction, my heart rate gradually returning to its normal rate.Holy fucking shit, is this what being a father feels like? Because I’m ready to burn the whole city to the ground for this little girl, and she isn’t even here yet. Emmett’s a dick, but he’s not wrong. Someday, she’ll be old enough to date, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I just have to hope that by the time that day comes, I’ve taught her not to accept anything less than she deserves.
“What the fuck is this thing?” Maddox says, popping the top onto the diaper pail. “It looks like a spaceship.”
Austin’s face lights up with realization. “I’ve seen one of those before. It comes with these long bags, and it wraps each diaper to hold in the stench—like a big shit sausage.”
“That’s fucking gross,” Emmett chimes in, carefully lowering into the finished glider. He rocks back and forth several times, a satisfied grin tugging at the corners of his mouth when it doesn’t give out under his weight. “What’s next?”
I look around, taking in the work we got done in such a short period of time. The Renegades are one hell of a team, on the field and off, with the way we get shit done so seamlessly. All that’s left to do is complete the crib, hang stuff on the walls, and place the random pieces of décor I haven’t unboxed yet. According to Sydney, I still have about an hour and a half before Fin gets home, which gives me plenty of time to add the finishing touches before finally unveiling her surprise.
I thank the guys for their help, and they leave one by one, until it’s just me standing in the middle of an almost finished nursery. Setting out each item carefully, I make sure everything looks exactly like the photos I was given. I finish assembling the crib and place the bedding, stepping back for a moment to take in the view.
My imagination wanders, creating the most beautiful picture of Finley rocking our girl, her soft red curls falling over one eye as she looks down at the miracle she created. My heart squeezes in my chest at the thought, knowing I’ll get to witness it all in just a handful of weeks.
I’m going to give them everything, because that’s exactly what they’ve given me.
TWENTY-NINE
FINLEY
“Thanks again, Syd,”I say, giving my friend one more big hug as Theo carries the last of my shower gifts in from her car. Baby girl was spoiled rotten, and we ended the day with games and drinks—mocktails for me—before she brought me back home. My feet are swollen, and my muscles ache, but I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much in my life.
“Make sure that man takes good care of you,” she says with a wink. “You deserve all the pampering for growing that tiny human while he does absolutely nothing.”
I chuckle because we both know he does so much for me already, but she just can’t stop herself from busting everyone’s balls. It’s who she is, and we love her for it.
We say our goodbyes and I go inside, greeting the happy little furball that waits by the door. Boner has been so good lately. I truly think he senses the baby iscoming soon, because he’s been gentle and calm, just like his daddy.
“Go ahead, good boy,” I tell him as he looks up at me, his fluffy tail wagging from side to side. “Say hello to your little bestie.”
As though he knows what I’m saying, he gets close, taking a few tentative sniffs of my belly before rubbing his nose all over it. I giggle loudly when the baby stirs, a small bulge moving under my skin like she’s rolling over to play with him. I can’t wait to see how they interact when she’s on the outside, and how amazing of a protector he’ll be. Boner may not be mean, but I have a feeling he’d be happy to stand in the way of anything that tries to hurt her.
“Tell Mama she’s never allowed to leave us again,” Theo says, a devastatingly sexy grin pulling at his lips. He’s mouthwatering in a crisp white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and a black Renegades hat turned backwards. I’m almost stunned speechless as he erases the space between us, every muscle in his body firing off beneath the fabric that covers them. “We barely survived it, and Daddy almost beat up Uncle Em. We can’t be trusted.”
I roll my eyes, unable to hide the smile that grows bigger with every step he takes in my direction, until he’s close enough to reach out and pull me in. His palm finds my cheek, cradling it softly as his mouth slants over mine. He kisses me like I’ve been away for months instead of hours, his warm tongue teasing and tasting as soon as I let him inside.
