Page 153 of False Start

“Makes me feel like I need to get back on the field. Clearly, I’m out of shape if I can’t even chase a seven-year-old around the park for a few hours.” Braden nodded on a smile over at Kyle. “How’s she doing?”

“Sleeping soundly, ready to keep Mom and Dad up all night,” Kyle said, booping our daughter on the nose like that was so adorable.

“I’m hungry,” Sebastian proclaimed.

“Come on,” I said, standing and helping him off the couch. “Mom will make you a grilled cheese.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Kyle scolded. He had clearly displayed his desire to keep me from doing anything close to work after birthing our child. “Your dad just made that skillet scramble. You can heat up leftovers.”

“That’s cute that you think Sebastian will eat something with mushrooms and green peppers.”

Sebastian wrinkled his nose on cue. “Ewwww, mushrooms!”

“Here, you take Raven and I’ll—”

“I’m fine,” I assured Kyle, pushing on his shoulder before he could stand. I leaned down to press a kiss to his cheek.

Sebastian talked my ear off about the park while I made a grilled cheese, and I stood at the island with him while he ate it, smiling and listening intently. I wanted to make sure he knew that having a baby sister meant he’d have to share us, yes, but that we still had space and time and attention for him.

When he was finished eating, I had him run up to take a bath, promising he could watchBig Hero 6for the thousandth time when he finished.

I rejoined Kyle and Braden in the living room just in time to see Braden frowning at his phone.

“Bad news?” I asked.

As if the sound of my voice was a cue that food was near, Raven stirred, crying a bit and making faces that told me she was hungry. Kyle passed her to me, and I set up the nursing pillow under my arm, pulled the nursing cover over my head long enough to free my boob and get Raven latched, and then re-emerged.

Braden didn’t skip a beat. “Not bad, just… interesting.”

“Do tell,” I urged.

“Our PR coordinator wants me to volunteer for the Tacoma Girls Flag Football Jamboree in May,” he said. “They’re looking for about ten players to go out, and apparently, I’m on their list.”

“That’s awesome,” Kyle offered. “Why do you look like they just asked you to do team laundry?”

“Yeah. Riley and Zeke would be so proud of you if you attended,” I added.

“I’m excited for the event,” Braden assured us. “I told them at the end of the season to let me know if there were ways I could get involved with the community. It’s just…”

“What?” Kyle probed when Braden’s voice faded.

“Nothing.”

“Nuh-uh,” I said, shaking my head as I adjusted Raven to make sure she was actually nursing, and not sliding into another nap with my nipple in her mouth. “No lies in this house. Spill.”

Braden let out a heavy sigh. “The cheerleaders will be there.”

Kyle and I shared a look, and then Kyle deadpanned, “What a travesty.”

Braden glared at him. “Don’t be an ass.”

“Did I miss something? Why is that a bad thing?” I asked.

“It’s not,” Braden said, dragging a hand through his hair. “It’s just… there’s a new cheerleader who just made the squad, and she’s kind of a pain in my ass.”

This time, the look Kyle and I shared was tinged with curiosity.

“How have you already met her?” Kyle asked.