Page 27

Chapter 27

This Is My Baby Now

Wade

Gabe’s grilled cheese makes me want to wife her up. Amongst other things.

The sourdough brushed with olive oil was crisped to perfection. And the gooey stretch of cheddar, the optimal cheese-to-bread ratio? One million percent better than Meltwich.

I could be biased, but her hands are magic. Whatever she touches turns to fucking gold, like King Midas. Basketball? It’s raining threes. Grilled cheese? Chef’s kiss. Sideline reporting? Viewership and ticket sales are higher than ever. Cupcakes? Four different aunties at Indi and Landon’s baby shower asked if she took orders for special occasions.

And me? I’ll never be the same.

Usually, the postseason doesn’t change my day-to-day, but the first two rounds of playoffs thoroughly kicked my ass. Luckily, being top seed meant home-ice advantage. Which means more time with Gabe.

Tonight, like the nights we’d stayed together in the last two months, I’m a forlorn creep, staring at her sleeping form beside me. Her expression is peaceful. Angelic, really. A lengthy breath exits my nose as I weave three rogue strands of her hair into a loose plait so it’s out of her face.

I want everything from her. Every scarred, healing shard, every sniping comment, every devious smile, every sweet reward and doled-out punishment. They say, ‘When you know, you know,’ and I know, but I don’t know if she knows I know or even if Gabe knows how she feels about that.

Fuck, I make no goddamn sense, even in my own stream of consciousness.

Her hesitation is valid. She’s been hurt, and I’m not sure how else to convince her, apart from admitting to every questionable, heinous act I’ve done for her attention.

Yes, Gabe, I destroyed each guest room in my home so you’d have to sleep in my bed. Yes, I sold my Lamborghini because it reminded you of your ex’s beloved car. Yes, I built you a basketball court in the penthouse because I don’t want you to ever leave. Yes, I took care of things for your dad’s business because you’re my family now.

Actually, that’s not a bad start.

She could either be terrified and ghost me or shove a ring on my finger.

Maybe I’d get a love confession. Maybe even an angry one like they do in the movies. If someone is gonna tell me they love me, I want it to be her.

Whatever happens, it has to be big. Public. Everyone will know about it. I’m sick and tired of hiding?—

My internal monologue is cut short by a ding from my phone. Then another.

Jesus. Who the fuck is it at this hour?

Landy

IT’S BABY TIME

Donovan

Now?? I was so close to falling asleep.

O Jaeger My Captain

It’s 2 a.m., for fuck’s sake.

My feet thud against the mattress as I kick off the covers in a panic.

Freckles groans. “Quit that.”

“Wake up, Gabe!” Pants are already being pulled on my legs, adrenaline rushing through my veins. “THEY’RE HAVING A BABY!”

“Who is?” She is way too sleepy. I’ll have to drive.

“Our friends, sweetheart. Come on, we gotta go!” I leap onto the mattress on my hands and knees, bouncing her from the horizontal position. “Get up, get up, get up!”

Gabe’s jaw ticks, crinkling open her bloodshot eyes. “I’m gonna kill you.”

“You can do that later; now up!”

Me

Where am I going??

Landy

Ottawa birthing centre

Landy

But in a few hours

The man has got to be kidding me.

I throw my phone onto the nightstand.

“False alarm, Freckles. We’ll get to meet Baby Davé Radek in the morning.”

A pillow slams into my face before Gabe burrows under the comforter.

“Remind me to smother you in the morning.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I salute and simultaneously drop my pants before sliding into bed again, this time being sure to spoon this feisty cuddlebug. “I’m all yours.”

“ Mm .”

Nestling into her neck is like coming home. “And you’re mine, all mine.”

Fletcher’s beady eyes follow me back and forth around the room.

“Will you sit down?” Gabe asks over her coffee cup, eyes hidden behind large, dark sunglasses. “Your pacing is making my headache worse.”

“Sorry.” I stop and park my ass between her and the other grump. “I’m on edge.”

“Nervous to meet the baby?” Fletch chimes in.

“Meeting is fine. I’m good with meeting.” My right knee bounces. “It’s holding it I’m worried about. What if I break it, snap it in half?”

“I’m no expert, but I don’t think babies do that.” Freckles and her sass. I love it, but not right now.

Ginger eyebrows rise in confirmation. “She’s right.”

Jaeg yawns and bobs his head. “They’re resilient little shits.”

“Easy for you two to say. You have the experience of, like, a million nieces and nephews.”

The lounge door opens with a creak. Four ruddy-face grandparents exit.

Congratulations are shared through handshakes and hugs as they sigh and gush about the newest addition to their world.

“Go on, guys.” Landon’s dad, Leon, holds the door open. “They’re waiting for you.”

Gabe sneaks a kiss in the seam of our interlocked hands as we stroll down the hallway.

Pale green walls line the dimly lit room.

Our chorused gasps echo through the silence at the sight of Landon outstretched alongside Indi on the bed, a cloth bundle cradled between them.

“Hi,” they whisper in unison.

“Hiiii,” we parrot back.

Landon beckons us with large swoops of his arm. “Come meet our daughter.”

Gabe hands over her coffee to me and lifts her sunglasses to reveal brimming tears. “ Oh , Indi.”

The murmur sets off Indi’s tears, too.

Landon scoots to one side of the bed to make space.

Soft looks so good on my girl. Her forehead meets Indi’s before Gabe places a palm over the miniature maroon toque and joins her on the bed. The rest of us gather around. My head dips for a closer look.

Black wisps peek from the rolled-up knit, her head a perfect sphere. Pinked skin and a tiny button nose. Dark brows and a lash line that looks painted on.

“This is Akhila,” Landon announces. “She’s our everything.”

I can’t hide my awe, my voice dropping even lower. “You made her.”

Gabe and Indi breathe giggles.

“Congrats, you two.” Jaeg slaps a hand onto Landon’s shoulder. “She’s perfect.”

Landon looks at Akhila, then to Indi. “Yeah, she is.”

“Wanna hold her?” Indi asks Gabe, who immediately nods.

What was once my chest cavity is now a deluge of warmth. My heart skips. Not a beat, or two, but down the street and off into the horizon, never to be seen or heard from again.

Her freckles glow impossibly as she rocks Akhila against her torso. “Hi, my love.”

No. I can’t possibly be jealous of a newborn.

Gabe swings a leg over the edge of the bed and rises. “I’m your Aunty.”

I spot her, holding up both hands. “Careful.”

“Masi,” Indi corrects. “You’re her masi, because you’re my sister.”

A tear escapes and tracks down Gabe’s cheek. I catch it before it lands on the baby.

Akhila gurgles and strains within the swaddle.

“Your turn.”

“Me?”

The encouraging scrunch of Gabe’s nose is unbearably cute.

“Make a little oval with your arms,” she directs, “fold them over on your chest.” With a slight jostle, Akhila’s small burrito body transfers to me. “Relax your shoulders, Wade.”

They drop slowly from my ears, the insignificant weight settling across my forearm and barely covering its length. “Can I walk?”

Landon snorts. “Yeah, you can walk with her.”

My feet make their way toward the window, the morning sunlight blurred by opaque privacy film. The conversation behind us quiets as my eyes widen to focus on this brand-new person.

“How are you feeling?” Gabe asks Indi.

“Better after a shower,” she replies. “I could use a nap, though.”

“You worked so hard, baby,” Landon praises her with an audible kiss. “She did so good.”

Teeny nostrils flare through an inhale, followed by a soft squeak and a wiggle.

Uh oh. What have I done?

Akhila’s petite arm shakily emerges from the blanket. When the fist expands, I count five fingers, five tiny fingernails. She’s unbelievable. The hand spreads, and by instinct, I offer her the tip of my index finger. Her tight grasp makes me lose my breath. But when she opens her eyes with a squint, jet-black pupils encircled by a pale blue ring? My face is wet.

“Oh, my God. Are you crying?”

Leave it to Donovan to call me out.

Indi hums. “What happened?”

I shift to face them. “Look at how her tiny little hand holds my finger.”

“Aw, Wade .”

Shuffling over to a couch, I take a seat, clutching her close. Akhila falls asleep again but doesn’t let go.

“I’m never giving her back.”

Landon’s tone goes stern. “ Excuse me?”

“This is my baby now.” I protect her from him, rolling her closer to my heart. “You two can go make another one.”

“That’s enough, buddy” —he makes grabby hands at the end of arms extended toward me— “Gimme back my girl.”

“Nuh-uh,” Fletch intervenes. “I was in line first.”

“I’m her dad!”

Fletcher doesn’t budge. “Then you can hold her when we go to practice.”

“I’m bringing her with me to practice,” I confirm. “Donovan, you can have a turn then. But only two minutes.”

“Baby hog,” he snaps back.

“By the way,” Gabe pokes Radek in the shoulder, “Can I be the first one to report her birth? Fans wanna know!”

“Alright, alright. Everyone out.” Landon shrugs her touch away and steals the baby from my arms. “I thought this was gonna be a nice, wholesome moment. Leave it to you useless goons to fight over my f—” He stops the obscenity under Indi’s narrow gaze. “My daughter.”

Gabe flips her hair over her shoulder and hmphs . “I’m taking that as a yes to announce her birth.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Shoo.” He waves us off.

“Wade, we need to get outta here,” Gabe hisses through her teeth, digging her nails into my bicep as we book it out of the building.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Listen, Pretty Boy.” In a swift, aggressive swing, she slams my back into the Ranger Rover and curves her hand around my throat. “My ovaries just high-fived each other. We. Need. To. Go.”

We won the last game of the conference finals without Radek.

It didn’t hurt that he bought a drink for everyone in the arena that night, in celebration of Akhila’s birth.

Adrenaline buzzes in the locker room after, but when it dies down, my mind fixates. Seeing Landon and Indi bring their love to life has me in pieces. I’m dying to know what that feels like. To love and be loved so sincerely and deeply.

I corner Jaeg as we kick off our skates.

“Hey, Derrick. Can I ask you something?”

He grunts.

“Why’d you marry Skylar?”

A rare smile paints his face. He puffs his cheeks and blows out a hard breath. “Because I love her more than anything else in this godforsaken world.”

My head hangs. “How do you know?”

“Know what?”

“That you love her.”

“Oh, buddy,” he says, patting my back.

My lip curls into a cringe. “I’m gonna get the speech, aren’t I?”

“What speech?”

“The ‘the right woman changes you’ speech.”

“Fuck no,” he spits. “That’s bullshit. A woman shouldn’t have to change you. You’d be a coward to put that responsibility on someone else.” His meaty finger jabs into my pec twice. “You have to figure your own shit out.”

“ Ow . Yeesh. Okay. I’m starting to think I asked the wrong guy.”

Derrick peers up at the ceiling and shakes his head. “It’s not the person that changes you.”

“But Sky changed you .”

He tilts his head and glances back with a side-eye. “Did she?”

I shrug. “Maybe not. I guess you’re still a grumpy bastard.”

“The thing is…” Jaeger grumbles and pulls his hands down his face. “I’m not good at this crap, but…it’s not the person. It’s the world of possibilities they open your life up to.”

Oh.

“If you’re lucky,” he continues, “you meet someone that makes you wonder if things could be different. That you could be different. And they’re so amazing, so breathtaking, you want to be who they deserve. You want it so badly you start imagining an entire life with them. You dream about talking late at night and breakfast in bed, living together, mowing the lawn on weekends, barbecuing in the summer, building a family, growing old together…”

A movie montage of an alternative reality with Gabe plays before my glossy eyes. Big wedding, my ring on her hand and hers on mine. Good luck kisses before games. The house overrun with kids, me making meals for everyone, but only feeding her with my hands. Late-night laughter with friends and family around backyard bonfires. Countless mountaintop sunrises and beach sunsets. Night after night in a shared bed as we age. A lifetime of joys and triumphs and love and support. The short glimpses of a future that could be forms a hard lump in my throat.

“If you’re really lucky, she’ll realize your love, your trust, is what she wants, too. And then she’ll help make your dreams come true.” Jaeg releases a sharp breath. “At least that’s how it happened for me.”

“Do you,” I start, dawdling my thumbs between my knees. “ Um , maybe, think I could have that with Gabe?”

Derrick hums. “Can’t say for sure, but if you’re asking, you might already know the answer.”

In my heart, I do. I think I’ve known.

“All I’m saying is I see who you are, how you are when she’s around. You’re at your best.”

“ Jaeg ,” I sing, bumping our knees together. “That’s really sweet.”

He shoves me back harder, and my betraying feet nearly slide out from under me.

“Don’t screw it up by being less than what she deserves.”

We share a knowing, easy smile.

“I won’t.”