Page 15 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

My phone buzzes on the coffee table, and Kira’s name flashes for the third time in the last hour. It’s almost as if when Baylee mentioned her, she somehow summoned Kira.

I let it go to voice mail. I don’t have anything to say to her.

After I stretch, do all of my prescribed exercises, and shower, I call Baylee’s landlord, Mr. Ulrich, who’s pissed about the red paint.

“Sir, I know you’re upset. Just think about what Baylee’s going through.

All of her baby shower gifts got destroyed.

Her entire closet of clothes.” This morning, I realized she only brought a small duffle bag of personal belongings to my condo.

Most of what she has here are things for Leo. “How can I make this right for you?”

“It’s going to cost a few thousand dollars to remove the paint and refinish that floor.”

He’s totally working me for a new floor for a fifty-year-old house. “Since you’re planning to keep her deposit, which is a grand, I’ll give you another grand in cash, and we can call it a day. But you have to promise to give her a good referral when she applies for another apartment. ”

Ulrich grumbles but agrees.

“Now let’s talk about her back rent.”

When we hang up, I slouch back on my couch, feeling pretty good for a change.

The sun is shining, and the water along the Eden River shimmers bright outside my condo.

My neck doesn’t hurt that much, and I got a decent night’s sleep despite Leo waking up three times.

Poor Baylee. Being a single mom is no fucking joke.

I take a nap so I can be more awake tonight and help her with the baby.

Around one, she returns with Leo strapped to her chest and a bag of food.

“Whatcha got for me today?”

“Kale salad and roasted chicken.”

I make a face. “Why?”

“Because you’re a professional athlete. Aren’t you supposed to eat well? We had pizza last night. I thought you were due for something green and healthy.”

“You’re no fun. What happened to being my partner in crime?”

She points at me. “You’re a big baby.”

I laugh. “Remember when that kid Xander came to school dressed as a giant infant for Halloween? Ran around school in a diaper?”

Baylee chuckles. “He painted his nipples purple, and he had to do a presentation that day in my class. It was so awkward. All I could do is stare at his nips. I mean, how could I not?”

Smiling, I join her in the kitchen. “Do you have plans tonight? I was thinking of stopping by the ranch. Wanna come with me?”

Her eyes light up with approval. “Count me in.”

I know she’s wondering why I haven’t gone to see my brothers yet. I’d like to not have that conversation more than once, so it’s better if Baylee’s there too .

After lunch, she returns to the salon, and I search my email for the receipt from Baylee’s baby registry. One by one, I add everything back to the cart, along with a dozen outfits and a few of the items that got destroyed.

What kind of psycho destroys baby shower gifts?

While Sheriff Reynolds might be good at keeping drunks from getting too rowdy at the rodeo, we all know he sucks ass when it comes to solving crimes.

She swore she’d leave with Vera or Rory at the end of the day. I don’t want her walking around town alone at night until we figure out who vandalized her house. I can be her escort whenever she needs one.

But that also means I need to talk to my family before they get wind that I’m back.

When Baylee gets home from work, the woman looks wiped out.

“Bay, if you’re not up for going to the ranch, that’s okay. We can go another evening.”

“I just need a few minutes to recharge. I’ll be fine.” She sets Leo down in his little basket and moans as she stretches her arms, which pulls her t-shirt tight across her full tits.

I look away before my dick decides to join the action. Nothing like sporting a boner when you’re about to go visit your bros. After a minute, I haul my ass off the couch. “How did Leo do today?”

Yawning, she covers her mouth. “Pretty good. He only got fussy when I had to highlight someone’s hair.”

I frown. “So he just hangs out in his carrier all day?”

“No. Sometimes I wrap him to my chest or one of the girls watches him. When I get a little more money, I’ll buy one of those bouncy chairs for him.”

I knew I forgot something. Bouncy chair. Got it. “I need to do my physical therapy and shower in the mornings, but if you want to leave him with me in the afternoons, I’m happy to watch him.”

She chuckles. “You’re missing the equipment you need there, big guy.”

Huh? She points to her boobs, and I take a nice long look at those beauties.

Then I realize she’s still talking. “I’m sorry. What?”

“Put a pair of boobs in front of a man and he loses the ability to focus.” She rolls her eyes with a laugh. “I haven’t tried the bottle on him yet. Some babies have more trouble breastfeeding if you introduce a bottle too soon, but I guess it’s time. Besides, your freezer is getting full.”

That makes no sense. “Sorry, I’m not following.”

Moving deeper into the kitchen, she yanks open the freezer, which is packed with plastic pouches filled with white stuff that I’ve been meaning to ask her about. “Is that ice cream?”

She laughs. “It’s breast milk.”

Marveling, I shake my head. “You’re a baby-feeding machine, Bay.

That’s incredible. You have great boobs.

” I freeze. What the hell did I just say?

We look at each other for a long stretch before we bust out laughing.

“Sorry. That was inappropriate. I just mean, it’s so cool what your body can do and how you can feed your baby. I’m gonna shut up now.”

The sweet blush on her cheeks makes my dick sit up and take notice. Fuck, not that again. I don’t get an erection for months, and now all it takes is Baylee blushing for me to spring a boner?

I give her some privacy while she nurses the baby on the couch, which gives me time to get my body under control. I stretch in the empty master bedroom. Once I think she’s done, I join Baylee and Leo in the living room. “Want a snack? I ordered some fresh fruit. I could cut some up for you.”

“That would be great. Thanks,” she calls out .

When she’s done, I feed her and text my family on the group chat.

Me: Can you guys all be at the ranch in an hour?

Jace: Is it important? I might have to cancel a date.

Beau: I just got off a three-day shift at the firehouse. I stink.

Rhett: Sure thing.

Paige: I have homemade queso!

Jace: Date is now rescheduled.

Beau: I’ll grab a quick shower.

Rhett: Let me charge the iPad.

I know my oldest brother thinks we’ll be video-chatting, and I don’t bother to correct him. Everything will be easier if I do this in person.

Isaiah: Holy shit. I got a signal for once.

My eyes widen. We haven’t heard from Isaiah in ages.

Jace: Whoa. You’re still alive.

Beau: I thought an anaconda had eaten you.

Rhett: You’re long overdue for a visit, asshole.

I chuckle. Isaiah got kicked out by my douchebag father several years ago, so he took off to South America where he does extreme sports tours. He hasn’t been home in years. He keeps saying he’ll visit, but no one believes him. Frankly, I’m just glad he’s not dead.

I help Baylee pack Leo’s stuff. “I had no idea babies needed so much crap. Diapers, wipes, extra clothes, blankets, butt ointment. The list goes on and on.”

She smiles as she kisses Leo and puts him in the basket and then grabs the overloaded diaper bag.

“Woman, please let me carry something. I have two legs that function fine.” At least they do now.

“You’re not supposed to carry heavy things.”

My eyes narrow. “Did you talk to Rhett?”

“I didn’t talk to anyone. It’s called common sense. I’m guessing you need to take it easy if you ever want to play football again.”

Those words shouldn’t feel painful, but they do. “At least let me carry the diaper bag.” Because no one will get hurt if I drop that.

She finally acquiesces, and we head down to her car, where she straps Leo into his car seat.

The drive to the ranch is quiet. The closer we get, the sweatier my palms become.

Right before the turnoff to the ranch, Baylee sighs. “I’ve always adored that house. Is it weird I’m strangely obsessed with their wraparound porch and white picket fence? And don’t get me started about their garden. Ugh, it’s gorgeous.”

I don’t need to look to know she’s talking about the Three Oaks Farm. She’s loved the Fergusons’ property since we were kids. “You wouldn’t rather have a new house?”

“They don’t have the same charm.”

When we pull up to the ranch, she parks along the side, next to Beau’s truck. I feel useless as I watch her unstrap Leo. What kind of man can’t carry a fourteen-pound baby? I should be able to do that, but I know she saw me wobble last night, so of course she has reservations now.

Irritated with my body for not being the machine I trained it to be, I walk beside her as we make our way to the house. She’s about to knock when I reach out and open the door. “Honey, we’re home!” I shout.

All my brothers, Paige, and the kids freeze when they see me. Beau has Austin under one arm and a baby goat under the other.

Then, all at once, they rush me. Gabe and Austin plow into my legs. It shouldn’t throw me off balance, but it does.

Rhett throws out an arm to steady me. “Boys! Don’t be rough with your uncle.” Then he grumbles under his breath, “He broke his neck, for fuck’s sake.”

He doesn’t say it loudly—the kids don’t hear it—but it’s loud enough that Baylee turns pale. Shit. Maybe I should’ve talked with her first to prepare her. “I’m okay,” I tell her, but I can see a million questions in her eyes.

My brothers stand around me smiling. It’s weird that they’re not slapping me on the back and trying to wrestle me to the ground. A reunion of this kind generally warrants a good takedown. I don’t know what to say or do, so I hug Paige, who’s holding Ella.

“Hey, baby girl. Look at all this hair.” Ella has a little red curl coming off the top of her head. She grins and shoves her fist in her mouth. I squish her chubby cheeks, and she squeals with laughter. I love this kid.

Then I turn to Beau. “Is that goat wearing a diaper?”

“The boys keep sneaking him inside. Trust me, it’s easier this way.” He hands the goat to Gabe and instructs him to return him to the barn.

One by one, my brothers greet little Leo and hug Baylee, who’s whispering back and forth with Paige .

I scratch the back of my head. “Sorry I didn’t give y’all any warning I was coming home, but I couldn’t deal with New York anymore.”

Rhett motions for me to sit, so I head to the couch.

Thankfully, I don’t wobble. We all settle around the giant L-shaped couch, but Baylee parks herself on the opposite end with Paige.

I hate that she’s so far away. I want Bay next to me, but Rhett takes that spot while Beau grabs the seat on the other side of me. The boys settle on the floor.

Rhett turns to face me. “Why didn’t you call? One of us would’ve been happy to pick you up from the airport. When did you get in?”

I rub my hands together. “Earlier this week. Been staying at the condo. I needed a few days to think.”

Paige turns to look at Baylee, who shrugs back.

I clear my throat. Time to rip off the fucking Band-Aid. “I wanted everyone together so I could share some news.” I resist the urge to shout that I’m a big fucking failure and my life has no meaning. “My, uh, my doctor doesn’t think I’ll be able to play football again.”

The room goes silent.

When nobody says anything, I motion to the kitchen. “Did someone say there was going to be queso ?”