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Story: The Penalty Player

We’re snapped out of it by the television.

“Breaking news. This just in.” The feed changes from the ballgame to someone getting handcuffed. “Giacomo Saccone, music mogul arrested. The government has charged him with racketeering, among a long list of other crimes.”

Most people in the room gasp. They all know I dated his daughter Stella.

“He’s also charged with attempting to fix sports games. Most notably, the Rattler/Gambler game last year. The hockey player, John Basilio, has been cleared of all charges.”

Relief floods every cell in my body. I kiss Becca on the temple. “You would think they would tell me first.”

“You wore a wire and helped them get what they needed. They probably presumed you knew.”

“Always the lawyer,” I say cheekily and wishing my dad could have been here but the feds had other plans.

The broadcast switches back to the hockey game, and the announcers share the news that I didn’t fix the game.

I point to the bartender, and he turns the volume down. “Well, it seems we have news, news, and yet we still have more news. Becca and I would like to share the most exciting news ever. Becca.”

She swallows, then places her hands on her stomach. “John and I are expecting a baby.”

Oakley screams the loudest. “Why didn’t you tell me? Oh my God, I’m going to be an aunt. Auntie Oakley.”

Then Corbin says, “See, I told you should have been named Auntie Oakley.”

She smirks. “You said Annie Oakley.”

They’re as much in love as we are, and I can’t wait to start my life with Becca and our family. I need to find out if anything is happening to my dad, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I’m celebrating my new life—with my new family.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Becca - One Month Later

What a difference a month can make. As of yesterday, I am no longer employed. I gave my notice and finished all the work for my clients, except for the ones who still had mediation to go through. Those I handed off to a co-worker.

“Sunshine, what are you doing?” John asks drawing out his words.

“Nothing.”

“I wouldn’t call a pile so large that I can’t fit through the doorway, nothing,” he says with a chuckle and a hint of concern in his voice.

I glance over one shoulder to see what he’s referring to. There are clothes and shoes stacked waist high and about five feet wide. My eyes widen at the mess I’ve made. I know it looks dramatic, but I can’t help it—my OCD has gotten worse.

Since my morning sickness has subsided, I feel like I’m on top of the world. Mom and my twin sisters came last week, and we went shopping for baby furniture and sent photos to John so we could decide together. “The furniture comes today, remember?”

“I do.” He jumps over the discard pile and the shirt I’ve folded three times. “Are you nesting already?

Shrugging, I say, “Nesting is supposed to happen in the third trimester.”

“If this baby is anything like you, he’ll come out demanding organization.”

I catch John giving me that look—the one that’s equal parts amused and mildly terrified of his now color-coded sock drawer. “Don’t worry,” I add with a smirk, “if you lose anything, check the rainbow-labeled bins by the door. Or the spreadsheet on the fridge.”

“You’re neurotic, and I love it,” he admits as he wipes a loose tendril that’s fallen from my ponytail. “Are you happy? I ‘m sorry that for now we must have two of everything. I don’t want to transport stuff each time you come to our house here in Dallas.”

“So happy. Once the baby comes, I’m sure I’ll be overwhelmed, but Oakley will be a huge help. And when the baby and I are here, we’ll have everything we need… you.”

He wraps his hands around my waist, clasping them at the small of my back. “After this year, only two more years on my contract, and I’m retiring. Until then, you and the baby can come on the road with me as much as you feel up to it.”

The doorbell rings again, and he peeks out the double windows of what is now our bedroom in Dallas. “The Smile delivery service is here. I’ll direct them to the baby’s room.”