She gives me a watery smile and rips off the rest of the paper and finds the fluffy pink robe and matching slippers. “My mom told me she lived in her robe after she had me and my brothers, and I thought that one looked comfortable. Plus, pink’s your favorite color.”
Mom was surprisingly cool when she found out about Roxy. I expected her to flip out like my father did, but she said that any woman who won my heart had to be special. Although she couldn’t be here today, she wants to meet Roxy soon.
My sweet girl can’t hold back the tears now, so I hug her. Damn, I didn’t mean to make her cry. I smile awkwardly at everyone. That’s when I see her teary-eyed mom. She’s elbowing Coach, who has a strange expression on his face.
Roxy waves her hand in front of her face. “Sorry, y’all, I’m pregnant. I’m basically bursting with hormones.” Everyone chuckles. “Thank you for all of these lovely gifts. Billy and I are so grateful to have such amazing friends.” She rubs her swollen stomach. “We can’t wait to introduce you to our bean.”
She’s due the day before I start training camp. I’m hoping she goes into labor before then so I can spend more time helping out with the baby.
But as everyone knows, I have terrible luck.
39
BILLY
August in Texasis hotter than Satan’s asshole. It’s so fucking hot, I can feel it through the soles of my shoes. We run one more drill, and I’m lightheaded by the time Coach Gates calls for a break.
I squirt water on my face and watch the quarterbacks take turns throwing to their wide receivers. Deke Santos is a bullet on the field, but he and Ezra aren’t gelling yet. The new second-string QB, Nick Silva, is probably cursing pencil dick for staying another year. I’m sure he didn’t expect to come here to ride the bench.
I keep waiting for Ezra to say something to me about Roxy or ask how she’s doing, but all he does is give me the stink eye as he walks by. He’s a little shit for not caring about his baby mama.
Jinxy chugs water and wipes his face with the back of his arm. “Nick has a kid, too, huh? Y’all can have a daddy’s club.”
Everyone knows the story about Nick Silva. He was engaged to his high school sweetheart, who died in a car crash on the way back from a game. Just like that, he became a single dad.
I can’t imagine what the poor guy went through. The thought of life without Roxy is devastating. I hope I never know what that’s like.
For the millionth time this afternoon, I wonder how she’s doing. She was due three days ago. Even though I’m supposed to live on campus during training camp, Coach is letting me stay with Rox. During the day, she’s with her mom, but I pick her up as soon as I’m done here.
Yes, I’m terrified about her delivering a baby. So much could go wrong. But Roxy is a tough girl. She’ll kick ass.
All morning, I do my best to stay positive and keep focused on our drills, but I’m anxious as fuck. Any minute now, Roxy’s water is gonna burst, and the bean will be here.
Each day of training camp this week feels like the longest day of my life. When Coach blows the final whistle, I take a lightning-fast shower and book it out of the stadium. When I get to the Santos’s house, I find Rox sprawled out on the couch, fanning herself with a magazine.
“Hey, babe.” I lean over to kiss her and rub her beautiful belly. Our wiggle worm is getting antsy in there. “How you doing? How’s the bean?”
“I’m so hot, and I keep getting kicked in the kidney. I’m afraid I’m going to pee my pants.”
I chuckle and push the hair out of her eyes. It’s actually pretty cold in her parents’ house, but my poor girl’s always uncomfortable. “Would ice cream make you feel better?”
“Oh my God, yes.” Her eyes light up and she holds out her hands. I help her up.
“This looks good on you.” She’s wearing one of my t-shirts.
“I’m stretching it out.”
Glancing around to make sure her mom isn’t around, I whisper in her ear. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll stretchyouout when we get home.”
Her eyes go hazy, and she nods enthusiastically. “Sex is supposed to stimulate my parts and encourage labor.”
I kiss her again. “I would be happy to stimulate your parts.”
Someone clears his throat behind me. I close my eyes.Goddamn it. Why does Santos always sneak up on us like that?
Turning around, I do my best to keep my expression bland. Because if I look guilty of perving on his daughter, that’ll only piss him off more. “Hey, Coach. I’m taking Rox for some ice cream. Can we bring some back for you and the missus?”
Roxy elbows me, and I remember myself.Sorry,I mouth to her. I forget about his diet sometimes.
