Last year, I would’ve been down for any kind of public debauchery, but the last several months have changed me. The thought of random women shoving their tits in my face doesn’t do it for me anymore.
Roxy’s tits, though? I get hard just thinking of those beauties.
Cam smacks Jinxy’s back in warning. “Don’t mind our resident horndog, Billy. Jinxy is just looking for a reason to go to a strip club.”
“Jesus.” Jinxy reaches back to rub his shoulder. “Take it easy. It was just a suggestion.”
“A stupid suggestion,” Cam adds, pausing as the sliding glass door opens again. He motions behind us. “Is this gonna be a problem?”
I follow his line of sight. Abigail’s here. “I fucking hope not. Rox invited her in passing last week, but she didn’t think she’d show.”
They’ve had a few awkward run-ins over the last few weeks, and I know Roxy feels bad about how things went down with her. I think Rox inviting her to the shower was an olive branch. She says Abigail’s having a hard time here because she doesn’t know anyone, and her ex is a douchebag.
Coach gives the new guest a wide smile. “Hey, Abigail. Welcome.” He glances around. “Is Ezra joining you?”
Oh, shit. I guess Ezra never told him he broke up with his fiancée.
Abigail’s eyes widen, and she starts wringing her hands. “Uh, no. He, um… He, um… He can’t make it.”
Roxy threads her arm through Abigail’s. “I’m so happy you could join us.”
I know my girlfriend is a cheerleader at heart and trained for years to root for the home team, but her enthusiasm for Abigail is one hundred percent genuine. It’s not just some rote mechanism that clicks on.
Abigail and Roxy whisper back and forth a few times, and then Abigail starts to relax. If I had to guess, Roxy had to talk her into staying.
Everyone enjoys po’ boys and sweet iced tea while we play a few baby shower games. The cheerleaders put a banner around Rox that says “Mama To Be” and place a sparkly tiara on her head. She looks so damn cute when she gives everyone a wave worthy of a queen.
Roxy’s friend Paige takes some pics with her phone and shares them with my girlfriend.
Rox and I watched the online coverage of the cheerleaders performing at nationals. Paige spent several weeks training with Roxy beforehand. Sometimes it was just Paige sending her videos of her practices, and Rox would give her pointers and help her get the right mindset for the competition, which she nailed. It was a cool way for Roxy to stay connected to the squad.
After lunch, we gather under a large white tent so Roxy can open her gifts. Charlie jots down who gave what while I hand my girlfriend the gifts. I’ve never been to a baby shower, but it’s kinda fun to be honest.
Her eyes water every time someone gives her a little onesie or pint-sized dress. My girl is gonna be such a great mama. Finally, there’s just one gift left—mine.
“Sorry, biscuit, but you’re gonna have to get up to open this one.” I had a hell of a time moving it here this morning, but the guys helped me.
Her parents gave her a crib and stroller. I wanted to get her something special too. This wasn’t on her registry, but I know she wants it.
I help her out of her chair, and she walks around the huge gift as I rub the back of my neck. “I know the wrapping isn’t great, but it’s an odd shape.”
Her brows lift. “This is from you?”
“Yeah.”
She laces her fingers through mine. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”
I scoff and kiss her temple. “Of course I’m gonna get you something. Open it.” I got a part-time job this summer at a pizza joint to be able to buy this for her.
Giddy, she pulls off the giant bow and starts tearing at the paper. When she realizes what it is, her mouth forms an O. “It’s that rocking chair.”
She throws her arms around my shoulders, and I laugh at how much I have to bend over to reach her over her stomach. “Figured you would need something comfortable to feed the bean.” It’s one of those fluffy gliding rockers she collapsed in when we were working on her registry, the one she said was too expensive to put on her list of potential gifts. She felt funny asking friends to buy it for her.
“Billy, this is too much.” Her eyes well, and she starts blinking to keep her emotions locked down.
“It’s not nearly enough.” I pat her ass. “Open the rest.”
“There’s more?”
