Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,96

No sense getting claustrophobic in the Rivets’ locker room. I retrieved my helmet and headed to the field.

I made it one step into the tunnel before I found her.

Rory waited for me.

A Rivets’ shirt stretched over her tummy, our emblem encased in a heart that centered over the baby. She’d styled her hair, painted her nails black and gold, and greeted me with a smile that trembled immediately into weepy tears.

I caught her in my arms as she wobbled towards me.

“I couldn’t let you go on the field without wishing you luck first,” she whispered.

I dropped the helmet so I could hold her closer. My hand tangled in her hair. The other fell to its rightful place.

Over her tummy.

Over the baby.

My baby.

“I don’t need luck with you here,” I said. “Doc, I know you don’t want me playing—”

She covered my mouth with a finger, interrupting me. “I have another wish to make.”

I tilted my head.

“My first wish…” Her eyes widened, dark and amazing. She stunned me to silence. “I’d wished to stay in the fellowship. I was desperate, and I vowed to do anything keep in the program. I ended up tangling us both in the best lie of my life.”

“Rory—”

“My second wish was selfish. I’d wanted one night with you. I wished that I could have you, feel you, and take just one moment in time to make everything perfect. And, instead of one night, you gave me five months. And every touch, every kiss, every moment of pleasure was greater than the last.”

She didn’t know pleasure yet, didn’t know how much I loved her.

I longed to prove it.

“My final wish…” Rory’s voice broke. She sniffled. “My wish…”

“Save it.” I kissed her, quickly, fiercely.

“Why?”

“Because my first wish was to keep playing football,” I said. “That’s come true, no matter if it was the right decision or not. My second wish…” I touched her tummy again. “I never wanted a family, Rory. Never tried to find someone to share my life with. And then there was you.”

She sighed. “Me?”

“You didn’t enter my life; you gave it meaning. You made it worth something more than stats and injuries and whatever pride a number on a jersey gave me. And I didn’t just get you…I also got Genie.” I pulled her closer. “My second wish was that the baby would be mine.”

Rory cried, but she didn’t brush away the tears. “Of course she’s yours. I wish she was your blood, but—”

“That doesn’t matter. I love her. I love you.” I kissed her once more. “My third wish is that you’ll let me keep loving you. That we can be together. That we…endure this together.”

“It was wrong of me to leave you,” she said. “The baby needs you. I need you. And I want to help you, Jude. I’ll be there, every step of the way. I promise.”

I grinned. “I never knew I wanted something as much as this game.”

“If it helps, you’ve already won my heart.”

“Doc, I haven’t even started working for it yet. That changes now.” I bumped her head back for a kiss. “I’ve gotta go win a football game, but the instant I’m in your arms…”

“You focus on the game first, All-Star. You better bring Genie home a win.”

“Don’t waste a wish on that.” I kissed her. She tasted like roses and sweetness. “I’ll make you proud.”

“Just don’t make me worry.”

The guys poured from the locker room, heading to the field to warm-up. I glanced at her tummy. She was ready to pop, and I had no idea how she remained standing.

“You’re making me worry,” I said. “Are you sitting with Leah and Piper?”

“We’ve got ourselves a luxury box right next to the bathrooms.” She patted her belly. “Probably the best seat in the house while Genie bounces on my bladder.”

“Go. I’ll find you after…during the celebration.”

She pulled me in for a kiss once more. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

A wayward hand struck my shoulder pads. Jack hauled me from Rory with a shake of his head.

“Wine and dine her later, All-Star,” he said. “We got a game to win.”

I hesitated only to rub her tummy. Jack swore, ripped his glove off, and did the same.

“Can’t hurt,” he laughed. “Thanks, Rory. Keep an eye on Leah?”

“I’ll strap her to her seat if the game gets rough.”

“Hmm, restraints.” Jack grinned. “Might have to try that. Maybe that will do the trick.”

Rory waved goodbye and waddled through the tunnel, aiming for the VIP boxes somewhere above the field. Jack’s voice stayed