* * *
I haven’t been in the right headspace since Callie surprised me with the news that I’m going to be a dad. It’s hard to be around Hayes and rely on him when I’m keeping this huge secret from him. Omission is lying no matter how you try to excuse it.
Callie’s doctor’s appointment is tomorrow. Thank God. We had to cancel once because I wouldn’t be back from New York in time. Fitting a doctor’s appointment into my schedule isn’t the easiest thing. But there should be no problem tomorrow. We’re off right before we have a longer stretch of away games, going from Texas right to Atlanta. At least after that we’re playing at home for a ten-day stretch with one day off.
Hayes is working with McCarthy since he’s our starter today while I bullshit with the other pitchers after our warm-ups. I keep looking up at the stands to see who might arrive.
“Who are you looking for?” Hayes comes up next to me, and I turn to see McCarthy talking to Coach Cal before the game starts.
“Just looking.”
He rests his back against the one-way glass and eyes me. “You expecting someone again?” His cocky smirk says he still hasn’t figured out that my dick only perks up at the mention of his baby sister. “Stephie done?”
I sigh, not seeing Callie but seeing Leighton—which means maybe Callie isn’t coming. It felt presumptuous to ask her if she was. It’s not really my business, and I shouldn’t care if she is, but this odd feeling of protectiveness won’t leave the pit of my stomach.
“She was a bit…”
“Much?” Hayes chuckles.
I shrug. “She was nice and all and said she was only in it for the sex, but I wasn’t feeling it.”
He rocks his head back. “Huh. Maybe pretty soon you might want more than sex from a woman.” He raises his eyebrows.
Am I jealous of what Hayes has? Yes and no. The family that he’s growing is something to admire. Something I’ve wondered if I’d be any good at. And maybe fatherhood will be good for me, but I’m positive I’d suck at being a husband.
“Maybe when hell freezes over.”
He chuckles and turns, scanning the stands. “She made it.”
My head swivels in the direction of where Callie always sits with Leighton, but there’s no Callie—only Leighton. I realize Hayes hasn’t been stalking the stands like me.
“Leighton was worried because of her schedule. I’m telling you, it takes more than a fucking village to align our schedules. My parents picked the kids up, but they’re bringing Leighton’s mom too.” His smile is admirable—if I wanted something like he has. “I’ll be thanking her tonight for making this work.”
I turn away, telling myself it doesn’t matter whether Callie comes or not.
“It’s weird, you know? I played all those games without Leighton in the stands, but now that I have her, I want her at everything. We’re going to try to get some babysitters so she can come to some away games. Too bad your sorry ass can’t find someone to travel with.” He laughs. “Maybe Callie will come with her as long as she’s not busy with her podcast. Which…” He snaps his fingers. “Did you hear?”
My stomach drops. The only thing I’ve talked to Callie about is my spawn in her stomach. “What?”
“Brightwave is eyeing Callie’s podcast for their network. Have you ever listened to it?”
I can’t remember the last time Hayes was this chatty—especially before a game. I feel like an asshole having to ask him the name of it. When he does find out she’s pregnant with my baby, he’ll be asking, You stuck your dick in my sister behind my back and didn’t even know the name of her podcast? Not a good show on my part.
“Her agent told her that for them to even consider her, she needs to get five big names on as guests, which isn’t easy. I volunteered, of course, but she turned me down. Said they want names the majority of the public will recognize.” His eyes light up. “You could do it.”
Since all I really know about her podcast is that she walks around Chicago and talks to strangers who pour their hearts out to her, I’m not really the kind of person she wants.
“Sure, I’ll tell the world about my shitty upbringing, my overly demanding dad, and how I don’t really talk to my twin brother or my mother. Everyone will want to listen to that shit show.”
“They actually would.” Hayes gives me a lopsided grin.
I frown. “Well, it’s not happening.”
Neither of us says anything, and thankfully Coach Cal tells Hayes and McCarthy it’s time. We all fist bump, and Hayes winks, saying he’ll see me out there. For the first time in a long time, I kind of hope I don’t have to pitch tonight.
“Feel free to pitch a no-hitter, McCarthy.”
The rookie pitcher looks as though he’s about to throw up, but he gives me a smile that doesn’t come close to genuine.
