Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,76

smoldering marshmallow. “It’s tasty. Try it!”

Cole took a bite to show her. Rose stuck her sticky fingers into the marshmallow and gave it a lick.

“See?” Cole pulled her close. “I wouldn’t hurt it. It…likes to be set on fire…I think.”

“Black.” Rose pointed to the outside then touched her dark cheek. Her finger poked at Cole. “White.”

“Someone please tell me they teach sociology on Sesame Street?” Cole groaned. “Meatball, just eat this and don’t tell Momma.”

He soothed her with a kiss and tickle and reset her crown between her puff-ball pigtails. Rose squealed and danced, then raced to play with Sammy.

The kids, soothed by their treats, were soon gathered by Elle. She enlisted Sebastian’s help in arranging the teams’ kids for a group picture. She carefully set her baby in his carrier before posing him with his protective, pint-sized uncle.

Elle had lofty goals. Lofty, impossible goals. Fortunately, Piper—in a sparkling golden dress—lent a hand wrestling the kids before cataloging the mountain of presents intended for Rory.

“Jude.” Lachlan clinked his beer against mine. “You okay? You’re paler than that light shit you’re drinking.”

I glanced at the bottle. Anything stronger than this fucked with my meds. “I hadn’t realized how many kids we had.”

Jack groaned. “Jesus, shout it louder. Leah’s ovaries didn’t hear you.”

“Everyone’s got a family.”

Cole hadn’t looked me in the eyes all season. He didn’t start now. “Name of the game.”

“I love kids,” Lachlan said.

I snorted. “You are a goddamned kid.”

“Sorry old man.” He took a swig of his beer. “I started my family young. Really young.”

And I hadn’t started one at all.

Twelve seasons in the league.

A hundred million dollars invested from my contracts.

I was a future Hall of Fame inductee and lifelong bachelor.

But I had no relationships. No family.

Nothing.

“And now it’s your turn.” Jack winked. “You think you’re panicked now? Wait until that doctor puts your newborn kid in your arms.”

Cole sighed. “Thought I was going to crush Ethan.”

Lachlan agreed. “Thought I was going to drop Nick. Almost did. Elle didn’t let me hold him for a week.”

“Yeah.” My chest tightened. “That’ll be…something.”

“It’s cool of you to organize the party though.” Lachlan poked six marshmallows onto a skewer and aimed for the hottest part of the fire. They charred to ash before he hauled them out. “It’ll score you some points with Momma.”

“Cash them in now.” Jack warned. “Once the baby gets here? Hell. You won’t have a minute alone…ever.”

Lachlan agreed. “You might not have the tits, but you’ll be up for the midnight feedings with her.”

Cole shook his head. “That’s not so bad. It’s the diapers that suck. We just got Rosie potty-trained, and there’s Ethan. All he does is poop. Laugh and shit. That’s his life.”

Jack shrugged. “Hell of a life.”

“I do my best for him.”

“It can’t all be bad,” I said.

Lachlan burned his tongue on a molten marshmallow and swore. “It’s hard work. There’s no sleep.”

“And your wildest, craziest nights are spent watching Elmo or Cars,” Jack said.

“It’s loud.” Cole heaved a breath. “Really loud.”

The guys glanced at their wives. Each smiled. They’d never admit it.

“Worth it,” Jack said. “I’d do it again. Hell, I’m trying every goddamned night. But you’ll understand. Once you have your kid—your daughter.”

I nodded, though I didn’t know what to say.

“She’s gonna be your everything,” Cole said. “Fair warning. A little girl? Best kind of trouble.”

“They’re all trouble,” Lachlan said. “Still the greatest thing. You’ll be forever changed, man.”

I toasted to them because I could do nothing else.

I wasn’t going to have that moment.

I wasn’t going to hold my little girl.

Wasn’t going to be there for feedings or diaper changes, first smiles or steps.

I had no idea how my life would change…

Because it wasn’t changing at all.

Once the baby came, once Rory and I ended whatever insane plan this was, I’d be done. Back to a life of chronic bachelorhood. Retired from football. No plans for the future. No family.

No one to help when the concussions finally took their toll.

I’d be alone.

And only now did I realize how sad it was.

Leah called for us once the presents were opened, and I returned to a misty-eyed Rory, holding a pink onesie over her belly. Christ only knew how I’d get all the bouncers and strollers, clothes and toys, bottles and various equipment designated for bodily functions packed into the Jeep.

But at least she was set now. The baby officially had more clothes and furniture than I did. I wasn’t letting Rory go until I was certain she would need absolutely nothing but time