“I think so. I don’t know. I have some anxiety I've been working through since Cami was born, but something doesn’t feel right.”
“About what?” Birdie asked.
“That car over there.” Lacy’s eyes went over to the bright green Camaro Jess had just seen park. “It circled the park twice while I was walking and when I stopped to call Nash, they pulled away and came over here to park. I’m probably overreacting, but after what happened to Embrie, I just can’t…”
“No, you’re good. Is Nash on his way here?” Jessie asked.
Lacy nodded. “He was in a meeting with the team. He said he was on his way, but I think we should start walking back and meet him in the middle.”
“I’m at the clinic today.” Birdie stepped between Jessie and her view of the car. “I’ll walk back with you guys. I think the fact that a lime green sports car is easily identifiable—especially in Silver Springs—is on our side, but let’s not tempt fate if something weird is happening here.”
Sebastian stood at the front of the conference room, briefing the team on everything he and Hawk had been working on for the expansion of The Trident brand. But Hawk could barely concentrate. Jessie had been feeling better when she headed out the door to meet up with Lacy, but he was feeling jittery knowing she was telling someone outside of his family about the pregnancy that morning.
Would Birdie say something to upset her? Would Jessie reach out to him if she did?
“Phoenix and I will be traveling to D.C. at the end of March for this project, but anticipated groundbreaking won't be until next spring, if we can get the funding secured. Sometime in the next few weeks, when the presentation is getting close to the finish line, I want each of you to look it over and make sure we’ve covered our asses on all the things we would change now that we have experience training at The Trident.”
“Cap,” Hawk stopped Sebastian.
“Yeah?”
“I think we need to bring Wings onto the presentation team.”
Sebastian’s eyes flicked to Nash before nodding. “That’s fine. You think you won’t be able to handle it on your own?”
“I can work the schedule for The Trident if you aren’t having enough time off the sim floor, or away from instructing, to get it done,” Gunner grunted.
“I appreciate that, but it’s not really what I’m worried about.” Hawk stood, the rest of the team locked in on him. “I have no fucking idea how to say this, because it feels like a big announcement…“
“Just say it, Hawk. You’re good, right?” Gage asked.
“Yeah. I’m great. I’m gonna be a dad.” When the room stayed silent, he continued. “Jessie’s pregnant. She’s having my baby.”
Stone and Gunner smiled, but the rest of the team didn’t respond. Not until Sebastian stepped towards Hawk and slapped him on the shoulder.
“Shit, Phoenix. Congratulations!” Cap pulled him into a bear hug.
“Thanks, man. We’re really excited.”
“How far along is she?” Nash asked as he got up from the table and came around to shake Hawk’s hand. He should have known better, because a second later, he was hugging Nash back.
“She’s almost through the first trimester.”
“Wow. That’s great.”
Hawk grimaced. “She’s been really fucking sick. Didn’t want to tell anyone until she felt better, but honestly, I’m worried it’s not going to get better. I mean, Gunner and Stone both saw how sick she was yesterday.”
“If you guys need anything, we’re here,” Gage said. “Wecan pick up any slack you need to have here to make sure she’s okay.”
“That means everything, Track. Thanks.”
“And we’re finally fucking allowed to tell the girls, right? Lily was on my ass last night, saying I was acting weird. Which I was. Because I don’t keep secrets from her.” Gunner crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, grinning.
“Yeah, of course. Jessie was taking a walk with Lacy this morning?—”
Nash reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Speaking of my lovely wife.” He put the phone up to his ear and turned away from the guys.“Hey, baby…”
Hawk turned back to Gunner, but Nash snapped his fingers and the whole team turned to focus on him.
