Like Ezra gives a shit about anyone other than himself.
Once the decorations are done and the food is laid out, Charlie tries to get everyone’s attention. When people keep milling around the pool and talking, Jake makes Asher cover his ears and then sticks two fingers in his mouth to let out an ear-piercing whistle.
Charlotte laughs at him, her face turning pink. He winks at her, and her blush deepens. She’s so fucking gone over that guy. I’m happy those two worked out their shit. And Jake just got drafted by Dallas. He’ll get to play with Rider Kingston, who’s a kick-ass quarterback and former Bronco. They’ll have a solid shot at making it to the Super Bowl next year.
She clears her throat. “I’m going to get Roxy now, so make sure to put your gifts for her on the gift table. Grab a raffle ticket because Mrs. Santos got some really cool prizes, and for the love of God, Jinxy, don’t touch the cake yet!”
The guys chuckle as she runs into the house to get our girl.
A few minutes later, the sliding glass door opens, and Coach walks out with a glass of ice water in his hand. Roxy put him ona low-cholesterol diet and banned sodas and beer, which made that goat even grumpier.
He’s wearing a polo shirt that’s tucked into his dress pants. Honestly, he doesn’t look like a dude who’d have a blockage. I’ve always thought he seemed pretty fit. But I understand why Roxy has spent the last few months cooking special meals for him so he could straighten out his health issues.
My precious girl waddles out behind her dad and hooks her arm in his. She coos over the decorations and lights up when she sees the cake.
She’s wearing a pink flowing dress that hugs her belly every time the wind blows. It’s true she looks like she’s gonna burst any minute, but nothing could get me to admit that to her. Even heavy with her baby, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her gorgeous hair is down and flowing around her shoulders. She’s glowing, like someone flipped on a light inside of her.
And don’t get me started on her rack. If I could drown between her tits, I totally would.
When she sees me and sends me a sweet smile, my heart knocks hard against my ribs. She drags her father over to me.
“Coach.” I nod.
“Babcock.” He nods back.
Santos doesn’t smile. He just kinda stares off, like he’s doing meditation exercises in his mind to stay calm.
I get it, man. I’m a disappointment to you.
Perhaps I’d feel the same way if some jackass knocked up my daughter her junior year of college, but I’ve bent over backwards to try to be a good boyfriend to Rox and help her get ready for the baby. You’d think that would soften him up, but nope. I’m still persona non grata.
Roxy steps away from her father, and I pull her into my arms. “Happy baby shower day, biscuit.”
“Thank you, Billy. Everything looks beautiful.” She and I walk around, and she pauses in front of one of the party favor tables. “Oh my God, this is adorable! How did you know I loved those soaps?”
I kiss her forehead. “Because I pay attention.”
She picks up the handcrafted soaps that are wrapped with labels that say, “From my shower to yours,” with her name and the date of today’s party. Each soap is wrapped with a bath loofah and one of those little floaty ducks. All the girls who attend today will get a gift set. The guys will get a bag of gourmet popcorn that says, “Thanks for popping by.”
It’s corny, but cute. And judging by her huge smile, Rox is pleased. Really, that’s all that matters.
Cam and his girlfriend hug Rox, and then the girls wander off to greet other guests.
“You outdid yourself, Daddy,” Cam teases.
I give him a look.
“What?” He lowers his voice. “For all intents and purposes, you’re gonna be a dad. Are you ready?”
Jinxy jumps on Cam’s back, nearly tackling him to the ground. I grab them before they topple into the cake and give me a heart attack.
After I untangle them, Jinxy slaps me on the back. “Hey, hey, Daddy-o! Should we throw you a bachelor party or something?”
“It’s not like we’re getting married.” Yet. But I hope someday I can put a ring on her finger. I’m gonna work like hell this year to show her I’m responsible. That I’m not just gonna fuck off. I plan to focus on school, football, Roxy, and the baby. That’s it. Hopefully this plan will help me graduate and get to the NFL. It’s a long shot, but I’ve gotta try.
“Yeah, but now you have a ball and chain and the stork’s headed your way. Your single life is DOA, dead on arrival. You should have a night to cut loose and have one last hurrah.”
The moment he brings up a strip club, I shut that shit down. Pretty sure Roxy would cut off my balls and shove them down my throat if I did that. My biscuit is fierce. I dig it. I’m pretty fucking protective of her too. While this might not be my baby, nothing else about my relationship with this woman is fake.
