Page 42

Chapter 41

Shawn

W e’re an hour out from landing, and I know as soon as we touch down, it’s going to be a whirlwind to get to the game. While I showered on the plane, I let Lee sleep. I’m sliding on some sweats when I hear my phone going off on the nightstand next to the bed. Lee is now pretty much snoring. I slowly step into the room to grab my phone before she wakes up.

Liam

Has the deed been done?

Books

Which one?

Bouch

WTF. Did you hurt someone, Books? And didn’t invite me to help?

Soph

Why the fuck would he be hurting someone, asshat? But for real, did you do it?

Millie

If he did it, why would he be texting us and not spending time with Lee?

Liam

Fair point, Mils.

Bouch

Someone please tell me what the fuck is going on? Also, I feel neglected for being the only one in the group out of the loop.

Books

***sends a picture of Lee sleeping, her hand with the ring on her finger out on the bed in front of her***

Soph

AHHHHHHHHH, my girl is a FIONCEEEE!

Millie

You did so good Shawn; it’s beautiful.

Liam

Look at her sleeping with her mouth open like she is still in shock.

Bouch

HELLLL YESSS, MY MAN! Locked your girl down.

Soph

Postman, I’m pretty sure she is sleeping that hard from getting dicked down.

Bouch

I second that! That mouth is open from a good dicking.

Liam

I hate you all. This was a beautiful moment.

Suddenly, I hear Lee stirring around. Well, shit.

“Why is my phone blowing the fuck up?” She groans.

“Ooopss.” I say shyly with a smile as she pulls her phone up and starts scrolling through messages, laughing at us.

She leans over to the other nightstand and grabs the long sheet of sonogram photos as I go sit down next to her. She holds her phone up and snaps a pic of us with our baby and hits send.

Lee

***selfie of Lee and Books with sonogram photo***

Still is a beautiful moment, LIAM! Look at your little niece or nephew, our little bean.

Soph

Aw, Auntie Soph is so ready to celebrate! I have a list of mocktails ready to go.

Millie

Sweet angel! Proud of you both; you’ll be the best parents.

Liam

***funcle mode unlocked***

Bouch

Wait a fucking minute? A baby? That’s all I have ever wanted. Can I be a funcle, too? I know CPR, and I have a little sister, so I’m a pro.

Liam

Bouch, back off. That title is mine.

Lee

I don’t know. Bouch has some great qualifications.

Soph

Lee, better watch out. All this praise and you’ll make the Douche man cry.

Lee

Soph, be nice. I have a feeling this baby is going to have the best aunts and uncles around. No matter what.

Books

Agreed!

Liam

I’m so freaking excited, this baby is coming to all my games! Have y’all ever been to a Snuggles and Bubbles? IT’S A SPA FOR BABIES!!!!

Lee

Okay, calm down. This baby's game schedule is going to be just as chaotic as the one the girls put together for this season. But daddy gets dibs on games.

Books

Keep talking like that, and you will get another baby in you, Lee.

Soph

Yes, Books. Keep that BDE! Big Daddy Energy!

Millie

Liam threw his phone.

Bouch

I will bring him a new one when I meet you at his game tonight.

Lee

That’s right! Y’all enjoy the game. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all. Cook on them, Post.

Soph

Already on it, my girl.

Millie

We’ve got you!

Bouch

Kick ass tonight, Books.

Books

Thanks, fam.

I put my phone down and look over at Lee. She is glowing, like always, but it’s like being up in the sky; this close to the sun makes her even more radiant. She looks up and smiles at me.

I walk around the bed and pull her to stand, holding her in my arms.

“Come on, Sunshine, let’s get you cleaned up and ready for the game.”

She just nods and follows me to the bathroom, where I show her the things that Millie packed for her. Millie is on top of her shit. She not only brought the perfect outfit that would still be comfortable for Lee to wear, but tons of extra clothes in case she wanted to change her mind.

I sit on the bed and turn on my game film on my phone while I hear Lee singing away in the shower. I need this game to turn things around. The media is going to be a mess. I suck in my breath as I think about not being there when the team plane arrived, the texts my teammates gave me all asking about who I was with in Dallas a couple weeks ago, why I am MIA, will playing in the town I grew up prove too much for me? My head spins as the stewardess knocks on the door. I get up to answer, and she lets me know we are getting close to our arrival.

I shout out to Lee, giving her a heads up as I text my sister.

Books

Thirty minutes out.

Nora

Perfect! Can’t wait to see you play. We’ll head that way soon.

Books

Great! Car should be out front for you all in 10 minutes.

Nora

Ohhh, Mr. Fancy Pants sending us a car. Better have sparkling water waiting for me inside.

Books

Actually, it does.

Nora

WTF, I was joking!

Books

Lol, well, it really does. Your suite passes will be in the car, and the Harrises will meet you there.

Nora

Can’t wait to see Lee…and you!

Books

She will be excited to see you too, sis.

Nora

K, bye. Don’t clap when the plane lands; you’re flying private.

Books

WTF, who claps when the plane lands?

Nora

You, when you were thirteen.

Books

That was one time!! We all thought we were going to die. I was congratulating everyone on staying alive.

Nora

Whatever, you do it once, and no one forgets it. Byeeee.

Lee comes out of the bathroom, and I put a hand out to stop her from walking any closer to me.

“Fuck me, I didn’t think about you walking around here in my jersey before we land. I’m going to need you to pull a blanket around you until we get off the plane.”

She rolls her eyes and sits down to put on her sneakers. “Yeah, yeah. Keep it in your pants for a second, Books.”

“Around you, almost impossible.”

“Clearly.”

She points to the indent in my slacks. I stand up and readjust myself.

“Yeah, I’m going to be out here if you need me.”

The plane touches down, and a car speeds to take us to the arena. Our driver drops us off at the arena entry for players. Thank goodness the walk-in photographers and press have already gone inside for warmups. I pull Lee into a kiss, trying to calm my shaky hands as the reality of the game sets in. The blues and greens, hot dry air takes over us. This place is home, but tonight, it feels so far from it.

“Love you, Sunshine. Security will walk with you to the suite and then bring you down to the court after the game.”

She stops. Cups my face and kisses me back, slow and steady. Causing the tension in my shoulders to fade. I open my eyes and pull back as she sticks out her pinky to me. I scoff as a laugh escapes me as I hook my pinky back around hers. I lean down to kiss my thumb as she does the same.

“Go get ‘em, babe!” She winks and turns to head off with the security guard as I take off to the locker room.