Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,185

at all. Not a party unless Jack Carson makes an appearance, baby.”

I shrugged. “Been busy.”

“Dump her ass and get your life back.”

“It’s complicated.” Just the thought of losing Leah pitted my stomach. “She’s helping me. If I’m with her, it looks good to the league. You got me? And since they’re looking for any reason to fuck me over…”

Bryon glanced to the linemen. His lips twisted into a smile. “Jack, you worried about your position?”

“Wouldn’t you be?”

“Dude, fucking relax. Look.” His voice lowered as he gestured to our friends. “Matt’s doing okay, but you say the word, and we can make him a little less comfortable in the pocket.”

It was like he sucker-punched me. “What?”

“Just sayin’. Maybe some blocks get missed. Maybe he’s gotta hurry a couple passes. Matt ain’t got the skills you do. We made him look good. If you think it’ll help, we can make him look…not as good.”

“Jesus fuck, listen to yourself!” I nearly leapt off the couch. My knee didn’t cooperate, or I’d have split right then. “Christ, no! I’m not gonna let you throw the games because you want me under center. I want my position because I’m the best at it, not because—”

Bryon held his hands up. “Okay, okay. Just sayin’, Jack. Offer stands.”

“I don’t need it.” I set the glass down too hard, spilling the liquid. “And if I ever think one of you assholes isn’t putting in a hundred percent—”

“No one’s doing anything, Jack. Fucking calm down.” Bryon grinned. “We’re all friends here.”

He snapped his fingers, and one blonde slunk away to entertain Orlando and Marcus. They retreated to the corner of the room. Bryon kept the second blonde for himself.

The third woman waited for me, brushing ebony fingers along my chest.

“Thought she was more your type.” Bryon winked.

She wasn’t. Leah was. This girl was a poor imitation.

Her skin wasn’t Leah’s rich cocoa softness. Her touch on my shoulder wasn’t the timid tickle of Leah’s hand. I always had to tell Leah she was allowed to touch me, especially to hold on as I fucked her into oblivion every night in my bed.

Our bed?

Fucking, a bed. It didn’t matter whose. It just mattered that she was in it.

“You seem tense, baby,” the woman whispered. “Can I help?”

Bryon nodded. I wasn’t in the mood and I certainly wasn’t looking for anyone else.

I wasn’t sure when it happened, but the revelation wasn’t a surprise. I wanted Leah and Leah alone.

“Don’t…” I pushed the woman away. She pouted, and I shrugged. “Nothing against you.”

“But…”

“No buts. Not interested.”

“But you’re Jack Carson…” The girl laughed. “I thought tonight would be fun.”

Since when did I have to explain myself or my cock? Was my reputation that bad? Did people really think I’d hump anything that talked?

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the sonogram. I wasn’t sure what I was doing with it, but the image still made me smile. I showed the woman.

“That’s my baby,” I said. “He’s got my squiggles, right?”

“Oh.” The woman didn’t even look at the picture. “You do need some attention.”

“What?”

“You know...Momma’s at home all sick and moody. And Daddy?” She licked her lips. “Daddy needs some extra love. I can help.”

“I don’t need help.”

“Come on. What are you worried about? Just one night, Jack. Just me and you. No strings. No babies or wives.”

“She’s not my wife.” Why the hell hadn’t I offered to marry her?

“Even better. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her...”

The woman licked her lips and tugged her shirt low, revealing the plump flesh of her breasts.

Was this what I once wanted? Meaningless, casual, forgettable sex? It used to feel good, and it got me off. No questions. No leashes. I always made a quick escape before the girl wanted something stupid like breakfast or my number.

Or to present me as someone respectable to the world.

To make me think of someone other than myself.

To have my baby.

Jesus. I never used to want commitment and family and all the shackles that came with it, but now? It was the only thing that made sense.

I’d pissed Leah off. I needed to talk to her before she made good on her threat and left. And, once I found her, I wasn’t letting go. No more chances. None of this hesitant, uncertain bullshit. Leah was the only woman for me—for now and forever. For the first time in my life, I needed something other than the championship to prove my worth.

I wanted someone to love.

I pushed the woman off of me