Page 103

“Sometimes, a little mystery is a good thing. I smile and don’t talk if I don’t have to, but I don’t completely shut down. Also, I’m not overly bubbly, and if I have to walk into a room I don’t know anyone in, I like to think about a situation where I feel completely comfortable, like when I’m bossing around Chase.”

Her laughter rings out. “You’re funny. Papi always tells me something like that when I’m pitching a big game, but as long as I have my lucky socks, I don’t get intimidated by that.”

I frown. “You don’t?”

She shakes her head. “No, sometimes you strike the batter out, and sometimes they get the best of you. I just go out there and run through my arsenal. We always prepare well before games. You know? We watch videos. Mr. Cam and Papi always have footage of the batters, and they both give me advice. I figure with that and all the practice and skill I put in, if I get lit up, that’s just the game.”

I don’t think I’ve ever heard her talk so much in one breath. It’s so mature. “That’s a really good way to look at it, Ay.” I pause. “I’m sorry, Ayla.”

Her smile is so earnest. “You can call me Ay. We’re really close, right?”

My heart drips down my chest like butter melting over popcorn. “We definitely are.”

“And I like it. Only Bron and Papi call me Ay.”

“I’m honored, and I’ll do that.” I put my hand on her shoulder but squelch the urge to hug her. I don’t want her to think I’m weird.

Why can’t he see how good she and I are together? I sigh and swipe the thought left. It won’t do me any good to think about it. It’ll just upset me all over again.

“You should come out with Papi and me again.”

My stomach clenches. “Yeah…that would be fun.”

Even though I’m not sure…because I may have to dump her father.

I hold CJ up until we’re face to face, and he smiles, his hands reaching for my face. He looks so much like Cam and Bron it makes me smile. “Stop being so cute.”

“Yes, please. Because it makes his dad forget about all the screaming he does at night and then he wants another one of him running around.”

I snort. “It won’t matter to Cam. He’s decided he wants many more of him and Bron.”

“Tell me about it,” she says, and her tone is soft.

I turn to her, and she’s looking at us with a soft smile.

“You want another one too?”

“Yes. He’s growing up so fast, and if we want to get a move on it, this is the time. So…we’re trying.”

My eyes fill before I can help it. “That’s so nice.”

She nods. “Winter and I will be pregnant together again. We couldn’t get Lauren on board for this one. Now the two of you will have to go together.”

My mouth falls open. “Um. I am not. We’re not… This is too new for me to be thinking about kids.”

“The time will come. I already know you’ll be a great mom. You’re awesome with Ayla.”

And that’s when I remember her, and my heart drops. I look around.

“They’re in Bron’s room, doing teenage things. I wouldn’t put you in that position.”

I sigh because I haven’t mustered the courage to tell her that things may be dead between Ollie and me. “I know. It’s just that Ollie is super careful with her, and I don’t want anything to get in the way of that.”

“You see? You already put her first. Very mommy of you. Now, give me my son, and go get the teens so we can eat.”

I laugh and hand CJ to her.

I zap her words straight out of my mind. If going out in public is this much of a hassle, I don’t even want to know what he would say about something like that.