“Thanks, Cap,” I reply, smiling softly. “We’re lucky to have you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he says, rolling his eyes. “Enough of this emotional shit. Get the hell out of here and go to bed. You have a game to win on Sunday, and I don’t want to see you dragging ass out there.”
“Good night, Baker,” I laugh, opening the door and heading toward the house. Things are still so fucked up, but after tonight, I know I have my brothers to lean on through it all. And that’s worth more than they’ll ever know.
THIRTY-SIX
FINLEY
“And you promiseyou’ll get your ass out of the house today?” Sydney says, her face filling the screen of my phone. “I mean it. Take a shower, put on something cute, do your hair, and go get a cup of coffee or something. The couch is getting an indentation from your ass, and you need some fresh air.”
I scoff. “First of all, I’ve barely even been on the couch.” It’s not a lie. I’ve preferred to stay in bed for upwards of twenty hours a day since I arrived last week. “And secondly, do you know of any shops that sell cute circus tents? Because that’s about all I’ll be able to get into at this point.”
She laughs. “Shut up. You’re gorgeous, even when you’re being a sad sack in your blanket burrito.” Her stare hardens. “I mean it, Fin. Take my car and go somewhere.Anywhere. It’s not healthy for you or the baby to be cooped up all day.”
I sigh. “I know. I will. Maybe I’ll check out the newcafé on Carnegie. I’m sure it won’t be too crowded, since everyone will be at the sports bars.”
The Renegades are in Charlotte today for their big playoff game. Livvy, Sydney, and Bailey are there, while Stella is pulling double duty with work and stopping in to take care of Boner. I texted Theo on Friday to ask if he wanted me to stay at his place while he was away, since that was our original agreement, but he said he had it under control. I can’t lie, it was like a punch in the gut, but I was the one who left. This is what I wanted, so I can’t really be upset.
“Alright,” she says. “Text one of us if you need anything.”
We end the call, a pang of sadness hitting me when I think about not being there to cheer him on for such a huge game. I’m too far along to fly, anyway, but that hardly dulls the ache in my chest. I should’ve at least kissed him goodbye and made sure his lucky dinosaur pajamas were packed. Instead, I’m here alone, hoping that he knows how proud I am when he takes the field this afternoon.
Following Sydney’s orders, I take a shower, cutting it a little shorter than normal because it’s been getting more difficult to stand for long periods of time. I’ve been having Braxton Hicks contractions, but my doctor reassured me that it’s a completely normal way for my body to practice for the real thing. They’re not super painful—more annoying than anything—and oddly, they don’t bother me as much when I’m focusing my attention elsewhere. So, I guess a day out wouldn’t hurt.
Ninety minutes later, I’m feeding the parking meter outside Brew-La-La, the brand-new café that just opened on the other side of the city. Just as I suspected, it’s not busy, and I only have to wait in line for a few minutes before I’m called up to the counter.
“Welcome!” an adorable black-haired girl around my age says, her silver septum ring glinting against the recessed lighting. “What can I get you today?”
I look up at the menu that hangs overhead, scrunching my nose. “What do you recommend? No caffeine,” I add, laying a hand over my belly. “I don’t want to give this one any more reasons to use my bladder as a trampoline.”
She laughs, understanding passing over her expression. “In that case, the decaf vanilla bean latte is amazing. We also have fresh croissants, if you want a snack to go with it.”
The baby kicks, letting me know that she approves of those choices. I give the girl my name, pay for my order, shove a ten-dollar bill into the tip jar, and slide out of the way while I wait. Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I pull up the Renegades app on my phone, clicking on the live video that sits at the top of the main page.
The guys are warming up, the camera panning across the field as they stretch and go through drills. Immediately, I find Theo, noticing the slight darkness under his eyes and feeling like shit because there’s a strong possibility that I caused them. Jett walks up, slapping him on the shoulder and earning a half-smile.Even though he looks kind of sad, he’s still as devastatingly handsome as ever.
Fuck, I miss him so much.
“Finley.” My name is called from behind the counter, and I look up to see another girl—this one, a blonde—pushing a cup and bag toward me. I thank her, bringing it to the nearest empty table and sitting down with my gaze still locked onto the screen. But before I can even take a sip of the steaming drink, a masculine voice garners my attention.
“Finley? Is that you?”
I lift my head to find a tall man, maybe in his late forties, looking down at me. At first, I don’t recognize him, but the longer I take in his features, the more unmistakably familiar they become. The dark, curly hair that was almost always covered with a Cleveland Crunch ballcap. The kind, blue eyes that are wrinkled at the corners from smiling. The same black onyx ring that used to sit beside our bathroom sink every evening, until one day, it didn’t.
“Vince?”
I’m nearly speechless, my eyes wide in disbelief as an elated grin stretches across his face. He’s barely changed, yet somehow looks so different, but there’s no way in hell I’d ever forget that smile. It was the one I ran to every day after school, excitement vibrating through me because I knew I was in for an evening of fun. Whether it was going on a bike ride, watching cartoons, or helping him fix things around the house, I always wanted to be with him.
He was the closest thing to a father I ever had.
“You’re beautiful,” he says, his eyes glossy with emotion. “You look so much like your mom. How is she?”
My heart sinks, and I look down, fidgeting with the paper bag in front of me. “She’s ummm…in Europe, I think. Her boyfriend surprised her with a trip around the world.” It’s pretty sad that I don’t even know for sure where my own mother is, but that’s the kind of relationship we have. She still has no idea that I’m pregnant, and since I stopped making an effort to reach out, I haven’t heard from her. Sadly, I doubt she noticed.
His expression goes somber, the light behind it dimming. “I’m happy to hear that. Glad she found someone who could give her the things I couldn’t.” His posture falls, and he swallows thickly. “And you?”
I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I’m good. Just thought I’d check out the new café while the city was preoccupied with the Renegades game.”
