“You were worried about our relationship on the field? Your career?”
“Fuck no!” I shout, and my chest squeezes painfully. “You’re the best friend I have. The closest thing I have to family, and I didn’t want to lose that. Shit, man, I took your trust and did the unthinkable. I couldn’t keep my dick out of your sister’s pants.”
“I’m gonna need one thing if we continue this conversation. I need to not think about your dick and my sister’s pants, okay?”
I nod. “I’m sorry. I was ashamed and pissed at myself, but Hayes, we’re going to do this co-parenting thing, and we’re going to rock it.”
He nods, and if he wasn’t her brother, I might admit all the other shit—how much my attraction to her is building, how awesome of a person I think she is, and that the more time we spend together, the more I want from her. But this isn’t the time to declare that I’m confused about my relationship with her and where it’s going. I don’t even know if Callie would be interested in anything more than co-parenting.
Shit, am I really considering a relationship?
“I’m sure you will, but I really wish you would’ve told me. I look like a fool. As far as me wishing it was Decker, get that shit out of your head. You’re just as good as him, and I’d feel the same way I do now if it were your brother.”
“You’re telling me that if we would’ve come to you right away, you would’ve been jumping for joy?”
He shrugs. “You’ll never know now. But I’m engaged to Callie’s best friend. Do I really have a leg to stand on if I went into protective big brother mode?”
“In my head, yes.”
He sits up straighter. “It was the secrecy that pissed me off, not that it was you. You need to bet on yourself, man, stop thinking you’re a shit person. I know you’ll do right by my niece or nephew. And Callie, for that matter.”
We sit in silence because I’m not so sure.
“I’m not wasting a night out on this bullshit. Let’s go celebrate me being an uncle.” He stands then holds his hand out for me and helps me up, dragging me into a hug once I’m standing. “But, Foster, you fuck her over, and there will be a problem.” He pulls back and laughs, hitting my chest. “Let’s go.”
I’m relieved that’s over with. Relieved I have such a great best friend who seems to have enough confidence in me to think I won’t fuck this up.
I have to navigate this situation carefully so this doesn’t go south. Which means putting Callie in a box marked Untouchable and keeping her there no matter how much I want her.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
Callie
* * *
“So… you and Reaper.” Easton leans back in his chair and sips his beer, stretching out his legs. “I mean, we all knew something was going on when he went all caveman with the security gate thing, but a baby?”
Decker hasn’t said much, and I like him even more for it.
“It’s going to be great.” Leighton shoots me a reassuring smile.
Usually I’d have some smart-ass comment to shoot back at Easton, but all I can think about is what’s happening outside.
Why did I let Foster take the first hit? Hayes would be nicer to me than him.
Leighton’s shoulder hits mine. “It’s fine. They’re going to be okay.”
I sip the water Ruby brought me. It’s so much easier now that I don’t have to pretend to be drinking. My foot taps the floor, and I let out a breath.
“Hayes isn’t the type to go all apeshit on someone.” Easton does his best to reassure me.
My gaze falls to Decker, and he forces a smile that doesn’t come close to meeting his eyes. If Foster and Decker can be estranged all these years—twin brothers who don’t talk to one another—the same thing could happen between Foster and Hayes, and I can’t be the reason why.
“Sorry, I can’t.” I push up and head for the door.
“She just can’t help herself. I’m proud of you for lasting this long.” Leighton laughs.
