of my baby. And you also know that we’re…into each other. For real. And…” I turn to my dad and look him straight in the eyes. “I know you don’t approve, not yet anyway, but you will. You’ll see why I’ve fallen for him so hard, and you’ll see the incredible man who’s going to be an even more incredible father. You all will. And in time, you’ll understand why I feel the way I do. We all just need some time.”
“I, for one, think it’s completely awesome,” Clay chimes in, raising his beer bottle in my direction. “It’s 2020, for Christ’s sake. Date whoever you want. Mix up the order. Get pregnant and then fall in love. Who gives a damn? As long as there’s passion and it feels right.”
I smile. “Thanks, Clay.”
“Absolutely,” Noah adds. “I’ve said it before, but I really do respect the guy. And Ellie has good instincts.”
Ethan lifts a shoulder. “If it makes sense to you, El, then I mean—”
“That’s enough.” My dad’s voice rips through my slight glimmer of peace and happiness and darkens the entire room like a storm cloud. “None of you have any clue what you’re talking about. Elizabeth, you have no idea what’s best for yourself and your child, that much is exponentially clear to me.”
“What?” I choke. “What are you—”
“What are you gonna do, marry the guy?” His voice is raised now, and any shred of that original positive expression is out the window.
“I don’t know yet—”
“Come on, Ellie.” His eyes flash, and he crosses his arms. “You think he’s some kind of dreamboat knight in shining armor? He’s a friggin’ professional athlete. An extremely young one, at that. He grew up dirt poor, and he’s having his very first taste of fame and fortune, and you really think he’s gonna give all that up to play house with you?”
“Yeah.” I lift my chin. “I do.”
“Ellie. You two live in completely different worlds. It would never work.”
“Boys.” Mom stands and picks up her wineglass. “Let’s go sit out back. Since these two want to raise voices…” She glares at my father. “We’ll let them hash it out before dinner.”
My mom and brothers walk down the hall and through a large set of French doors that lead to one of the back decks.
I swallow and face my dad again.
“Tell me this, Ellie.” He sits in a cushy chair directly across from me. “Have you heard from him recently? Have you seen him much?”
“Well…” I glance down at my phone, which hasn’t received so much as a text from him in days. “He’s been really focused on the game. Obviously. I don’t want to distract him or get in his way while he’s trying to prepare.”
“Elizabeth, don’t be naïve.”
I narrow my eyes. “What? Why did you ask?” A ripple of nerves and just the tiniest hint of fear curl through my chest.
“I don’t think your Prince Charming is quite as committed to you as you think he is. I had Richardson spend some time at the training facility a few days ago.”
I cringe. “Oh God. Not Richardson.”
“Now, Ellie, don’t be like that. Paul might be harsh and intense and even a little ruthless at times, but he has done more good for this family and our company than you can even fathom. Anyway, he spoke with Matthew and told me some of the things he said. Let’s just say these things wouldn’t exactly come from a man who’s dying to settle down or is madly in love.”
Something stabs my gut, and my throat tightens.
What is he talking about?
I feel like the world is fuzzy and spinning, but I blink and manage to keep my cool. “What are you talking about? What did he say to Paul?”
“He didn’t really disclose any detailed specifics, but I, uh…” He places a hand on my shaky knee. “I don’t think he’s really looking for anything serious. My intentions were just for Paul to have a chat with him and get me a sense of whether or not he’s an upstanding guy. I wanted an unbiased opinion. Apparently, Paul smelled some bad intentions and Matt basically told him he’s not serious about any of it. At least that’s what he told me. Which…then it makes sense you haven’t heard from him, I suppose.”
I lean back, holding the leather cushion to keep myself steady. “That’s nothing like what he’s said to me. Well, before he ghosted me…”
“See? He’s not a man you want to spend your life