Page 76 of Line Change

Eli: No idea. Just passing along what I heard.

Hunt: It’s fine. I’m fine.

Me: No you’re not. You could have had a concussion.

Hunt: But I don’t.

I clench my jaw so hard I’m surprised none of my teeth crack. I hate that they’re not reviewing the play. The guy should be suspended or, at the very least, fined, although that’s really only a slap on the wrist with how small the fines usually are.

This isn’t the first time he’s made a dirty hit and gotten away with it.

Wonder who he pays off, because somehow, he always gets away scot-free.

Chapter twenty-eight

Sutton

“You don’t have to come with me,” I tell Bash as I try to find clothes to wear to my twenty-week doctor’s appointment.

Grumbling, I take off another shirt that doesn’t fit my boobs anymore and isn’t long enough to cover my bump. I drop it on the pile of discarded clothing that’s been growing by the day. I need to stop avoiding buying maternity clothes. To my credit, I did check a few local thrift stores and couldn’t find anything in my size.

“I know, but wouldn’t it be odd if your husband wasn’t there?” Bash asks from his perch on the bed, Bert and Ernie curled up on his lap. I want to be sitting in his lap getting attention.

Why am I jealous of my cats?

I turn back to my closet. “Plenty of women who are married go alone, I’m sure. You could be working or traveling.” I try on another T-shirt, one of my favorites, but it also doesn’t fit. “Fuck,” I mutter, yanking it off and tossing it on the floor.

“Hey. It’s okay,” Bash says, moving the cats, getting to his feet, and walking over to me. He pulls me into his arms, and I relax against him. “I’ll be right back.”

Letting me go, he leaves the room only to return a minute later with one of his Storm shirts. “Here. Why don’t you wear this?”

I take the offered shirt, holding it against my body as I stare wordlessly at him. It’s a simple gesture, but somehow it feels monumental. Maybe because for my entire adult life, I’ve taken care of myself. Had no one to depend on day-to-day. Which sounds like I can’t depend on my friends, and while I can, it’s not the same thing as having a loved one take care of you. Does he love me? Do I love him? The thought that I might settles in my gut as I put the shirt on and finish getting ready. He feels right. This between us feels right.

“If you’d rather I didn’t come, I can stay home.”

“You’ve seen me naked and been inside of me, so at this point, you’ve seen it all.” I take a deep breath. “I want you to come with me.” I glance away. “This is a lot for me.” I put a hand on my belly. “I know we’re married, but it’s temporary and fake. I don’t want you to feel obligated to come.” I rush the last part out even though I’ve now realized that I don’t want this to be fake.

“Sutton.” He turns me toward him and tilts my chin up with his hand so I meet his eyes. “I want to be there for you and for your baby.”

“Thank you.” I swallow. “Pretty sure I could find out the gender at this appointment,” I say, needing to change the subject lest I blurt out how I feel about him.

“Do you want to know?”

“I do.” I rest my hand on my belly. “I thought about waiting, but I decided I don’t want to.”

“Well, come on, let’s go find out what we’re having.” My heart stutters at his words. Was that a slip of the tongue? Or does he really mean it? Before I can ask, he’s taking my hand and leading me through the condo and out to his car.

Thankfully, there’s not a lot of traffic on the road, and soon, we’re turning into the parking lot where my OB’s office is.

I check in with the receptionist, and then we find seats in the corner. The lobby is fairly empty—guess that’s what happens when you take the second appointment of the day. I figured this way, the doctor hopefully won’t be too far behind, and I won’t have to wait long. It’s worked out for me the other times I’ve been here, so hopefully, it will today.

Five minutes after sitting down, the nurse calls me back.

“Do you want me to stay here or come with you?” Bash asks.

“Come with me.”

He sets down the parenting magazine he was reading and gets to his feet. The nurse asks me a few questions, takes my weight, and then leads us to one of the exam rooms.