Page 24 of Verdict

He dropped his head back on a groan, staring at the ceiling. "Shit. She's going to kill me."

"She is pregnant!" I rushed over, wrapping him and my daughter up in a hug.

He shoved me off with his free elbow. "You can't tell her you know! We were planning to tell everyone together."

I pinched my thumb and forefinger over my lips. “Vault.” I grinned. “Damn, man. That’s so awesome. Congratulations. I’m really happy for you guys.”

He bounced Ellie gently, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Thanks, Jordan. I’m really excited. We just found out the gender, too.”

He looked proud as hell, and I loved to see it.

“We’re having a boy.”

I clapped his shoulder and squeezed. “Another little James pitcher in the making. That’s badass.”

Walker nodded enthusiastically and pulled his phone from his back pocket. “Check out the shit I just bought him.”

He handed it to me, still refusing to let go of Ellie.

Honest to God, the man had already bought his unborn son baseball equipment.

Trouble: Can I FaceTime Ellie before lunch?

I pulled up FaceTime and tapped Ava’s name.

I glanced at Walker. “Hey, your sister wants to see Ellie before lunch. Gimme my baby.” I made grabby hands at him.

Ava’s face filled the screen, smiling wide the second she saw Ellie being handed over by her brother.

“Hi, my Ellie girl!” she cooed. “Are you being good for your daddy and Uncle Walk?”

Ellie smiled.

Ava sighed happily. “I love it when she smiles.”

“How was riding?” I asked, bouncing Ellie gently.

Her navy eyes lit with excitement. “It was great! Addison’s got this new gelding she let me jump a little.” She let out a contented sigh. “I’ve missed it. Between the pregnancy and then having Ellie, it’s been almost a year since I’ve been on a horse.”

From what Walker had told me over the years, Ava was an accomplished rider. Where Addison was a professional, Ava was a very talented amateur. I’d never seen her ride, but I always thought it’d be cool to watch someday.

I’d never told her that, though.

“That’s awesome. You know, anytime you want to sneak away to go ride, I don’t mind handling Ellie. Especially in the off-season.”

Ava nodded, smiling. “Thanks, CoJo.”

Walker snapped his head toward me with a smirk and mouthed, CoJo?

I shook my head at him. Don’t start.

I brought my attention back to Ava. “Well, nothing crazy going on here. Ellie’s just hanging with the guys, watching her favorite show.”

“You have SportsCenter on,” Ava deadpanned.

I grinned. “I know.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’ve got to get going. The girls are already inside waiting on me. Farrah said there’s something she wanted to tell all of us.”