Page 55 of Let You Love Me

And it turns out, I didn’t need to say it any which way because I glance at the faces of my friends and there’s not a single one of them who doesn’t appear either completely sober at the news or shocked.

“Wait a minute. Hold up.” Jace blinks. “She has adaughter? Like, a little human that came from her vagina and now relies on her for every-fucking-thing?”

Graham arches a brow. “Glad you didn’t skip health class.”

“Does she look like her?” Jace asks.

“What the fuck does that matter?” I snap.

“It matters,” Jace insists.

I sigh, trying hard to keep my composure. “I tell you that my dream girl, the one I’ve created an entire, long game plan for, has a daughter, andthat’syour first question?”

Jace shrugs. “I’m just saying. It would be fucking weird if the kid looked like the father.”

I reach back and massage my neck. “I don’t even know who the father is, but other than Sophie’s hair color, yeah, she looks like Lane.”

“Lane,” Chris drawls. “That’s the chick’s name?”

“Yeah,” I answer with a nod.

“Sounds fucking hot.”

For some reason, this makes me smile. “She is hot. We’ve established this, remember?”

“But she’s also a mom,” Graham chimes in like I need reminding. “Are you sure you want to be involved in all of that?”

“That’s a lot of responsibility,” Jace adds, his tone serious now. “And it wouldn’t ever just be you and her. It’ll always be you, her, and her daughter; the three of you. With football and everything else, it’s more than most could handle.”

“Then if it doesn’t work out, and the kid gets attached . . .” Graham shakes his head.

“That’s tough.” Chris frowns. “College football is insanely demanding. Making time for a relationship is hard enough, let alone trying to make a go of it with someone who has a kid.”

Fuck. This conversation isn’t going how I hoped.

My stomach sinks with every new reason they give me for why it’s a bad idea.

But what did I expect? They’re not saying anything I haven’t thought of myself during the drive back to the dorms.

“I know it’s bad timing. Hell, there have been days this first month where I’ve had no idea how I’m going to keep my grades up, excel on the field,andsomehow find a sliver of time to spare for a social life so I don’t go fucking crazy. Add a girl with a child into the situation, and, yeah, it complicates things significantly. Especially when she’s every bit as busy as I am and armed to the hilt. Not to mention the fact that she’s Coach’s daughter.

“But she’s also fucking amazing,” I say. More so now that I know Sophie is hers. “I mean, she’s managing to hold down a job, while going to school full time. She bought a house which she’s currently in the process of flipping, and she’s drop dead gorgeous. Though she’s soft on the inside, she doesn’t take anyone’s shit either, and from what little I’ve seen, she’s afucking amazing mother. She’s . . .” I shake my head and rub a palm over the subtle pressure unfurling in my chest. “She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe her.”

“Ho-lyshit,” Jace stares wide-eyed at the screen.

“What?” I ask, shoving my free hand into my hair.

“He’s got itbad,” Graham says.

“You barely know her, and you’re totally smitten.” Brynn beams, and I roll my eyes.

“Struck by the love bug.” Chris shakes his head, a dopey look on his face.

Jace smacks him in the arm.

“Ow!” Chris yelps and rubs it. “What the hell, man?”

“If you’re going to join in our conversation, don’t be a fucking cheeseball.” He stares at him another beat and points to his own chest. “That’smyjob.”