“Is she at home?” he nods. I grab his arm and lead him out the door and back to my car.
We get Angie to the hospital in record time, but not so fast that her panting and grunting doesn’t freak me the fuck out. She kept saying she wasn’t going to give birth in the car, but I didn’t believe her. Turns out she was right because it’s been two hours and I’m still pacing the waiting room. Winnie is sitting calmly next to Holden, casually texting all the family members.
Baby Girl Casco is early, but the doctor reassured us that isn’t abnormal, and she was a healthy weight at the last check-up. She should be fine. My phone buzzes in the pocket of my track pants, and I nearly hit the ceiling. I see my agent’s name.
“Not a good time, Clark,” I whisper into the phone.
“Sorry,” he says. “When is a good time to tell you the Riptide has offered you a fucking killer three-year deal. With a no-trade clause, just like Casco.”
I stop pacing. Something that had been rolled up tight inside me unravels, and I‘m flooded with a sense of relief. “I accept.”
“I didn’t tell you the money yet.”
“I don’t care. No trade. Three more years with…” Landon. “The Riptide. I accept.”
“Well, that’s easy but a tad irresponsible.” Clark quips.
“Landon’s baby is coming, right now.”
“Shit. Fuck. Okay. Go. We’ll talk tomorrow or whenever.”
“Accept it, Clark.”
“Done.”
I end the call and slide the phone back into my pocket as Landon appears in the doorway, eyes swimming in tears and a smile like I have never seen on anyone’s face, ever. It’s bright and breathtakingly vulnerable. “She’s here. She’s healthy. Angie is good.”
I grab him in a hug, and Winnie claps, and Holden hugs her. He squeezes me but pulls away, grabbing my wrist and dragging me down the hall. “Come meet Randie Casco, named after my grandpa, Randall Braddock. She’s gonna be a big part of your world now… if you want.”
I yank my wrist free from his grip and then properly lace our fingers together. “Of course I want. I want everything to do with you.”
“Even if you get traded?”
“We can talk about that in three years,” I tell him. “Because I just accepted a new contract.”
“Holy fuck… You didn’t tell me?”
I kiss his cheek. “Your news is much more important.”
July…
“I’m going to put her down for a proper nap. Or try,” Landon says as he gets up front the rocking chair on my parents' front porch. “Let’s see if she can sleep somewhere other than on one of our chests.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I smile up at him, and the pudgy little person who has become the second biggest love of my life. Randie’s eyes are closed, and her little mouth is pouty. She’s not a great sleeper, but we wouldn’t trade her for all the shut-eye in the world.
Landon heads into the house. I turn back to my guests, who are my cousins Tate, Conner, Theo, Harlow, Mae, Tenley, and Liv. They all came over for brunch. The whole family did. My uncles and aunts are inside with my parents. It isn’t an official welcome to the family party for Landon and Randie, but it’s an unspoken announcement.
“Cute baby,” Theo says, and I think he means it, but his tone all summer has been grumpy. I don’t take it personally. He’s been sober for only two months, so his mood is still rocky.
“She’s adorable.” I agree.
“And… so… like… I’m just gonna throw this out there, but like… are you and Landon co-parenting her?” Mae asks and shifts awkwardly in her chair, twisting her fingers in the hem of her tank top nervously. “It’s not my business or anything, but you two… are… seem close and stuff.”
“I think what Mayhem is trying to subtly ask is, are you guys dating?” Tenley, always the bull in the china shop, asks bluntly.
I hold my breath. “Yeah.”
“I fucking knew it!” Theo jumps out of his chair. “I knew Harlow didn’t put that Grindr app on your phone!”
