Page 41 of Line Change

Mum: Nice to meet your girlfriend, finally. Was beginning to think she wasn’t real. You two seem smitten.

I shove my phone away. If only she knew.

“Still tired?” I ask Sutton after she yawns for the fourth time in the last fifteen minutes.

“I slept for a good three hours this afternoon, and I’m still tired. It’s frustrating. Feels as though I’m barely functioning most days, and I’m only twelve weeks along.” She studies her half-eaten plate of food. “I’m sure it’s going to get worse the bigger the baby grows. How am I supposed to do this?” She sets her fork down and rests her elbows on the table, dropping her head into her hands.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I shove my plate away and am on my feet in seconds, rushing around to her side.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be mean.” I tentatively run a hand down her back as I kneel next to her.

“You weren’t. I’m just so out of sorts.”

“Is this normal? Do you want to call your doctor?”

I realize how little I know about pregnancy. I need to buy a book or ask Hunter if he has one I can borrow so I’m more prepared. We’ll be living together for at least another three or four months, depending on if we make it to the playoffs and how far we go. I want to be able to support her in the best way possible.

She sniffles, looking up at me. “The pregnancy book says it is, but it’s so frustrating. There’s so many things I need to do, want to do, and I don’t have the energy.”

“What can I do?”

“It’s okay, I’ll figure it out.”

“Tell me what I can do. I want to help you.”

She’s silent for a few seconds, and I think she’s going to refuse my help, but she doesn’t. “I need to finish the laundry I started earlier. Figure out what I’m eating this week. There’s clothes that are still packed that I wanted to unpack. I need to put gas in my car. I meant to do it this afternoon, but I was exhausted.”

“Let’s finish eating, and I’ll go put gas in your car. I can help you with the laundry too, if you’re fine with that.” I probably shouldn’t offer to help with laundry, because I don’t want to accidentally see her underwear or bras. I wonder what kind she wears. All black? Lace? Colorful? Now I’m thinking about Sutton’s panties. Great. Get it together.

She blushes, nodding.

“How about I bring you lunch tomorrow after we’re done with morning skate so you don’t have to worry about it?”

“That’s too much …”

“No, it’s not. Let. Me. Help. You.”

She blows out a breath, wiping her eyes. “Thank you.”

I get to my feet. “Let’s finish dinner, then we can tackle your to-do list.”

That’s how I spend the rest of the evening, helping Sutton with all the things she needs to get done before the beginning of the work week. Definitely not what I was planning, but I’d do anything for her. To help her. To make things easier for her.

Chapter fifteen

Sutton

I reread the email I drafted to Anders Cunningham last night after work, trying to decide whether it sounds good or if I need to tweak something. I’m sure I’ve spent more time than necessary on it, but I want to make a good first impression.

Hello Anders,

My name is Sutton St. James. My friend Madison Rhodes works with your wife, Caroline, and passed along your email address. I wanted to speak with you about selling a small chain of hotels here in Florida.

I’m happy to share more details over a phone or video call if you’re interested.

Thank you,