Page 41 of Hold ‘Em Tight (Solidarity Academy #4)

The team makes their way out onto the mats, getting into formation. I’m practically vibrating, and the guys are on their feet next to me.

The music starts, and it’s like I'm watching it for the first time, even though I’ve seen this routine what feels like a million times.

They stick every landing, and their moves are flawless. It’s near perfect. And by the time they’re done, the whole place is on their feet, screaming and shouting with excitement for us.

“They did it,” I exclaim with a watery smile, as the guys stand there, breathing heavily as they look out at the crowd, smiles on their faces for a moment before making their ways off the mats. “I just know it in my gut.”

“I think so too, baby,” Lennox says. “They were amazing. I just wish I could have been up there with them, you know.”

“Next year.” I smile with a promise, taking his hand in mine. “Next year, we’re gonna all win this together.”

“Deal.” His grin makes my stomach swoop. It’s crazy how I almost lost him for good. But fuck, I’m so damn glad I didn’t. I love this man. I love all of them a crazy amount.

We take our seats again, and I feel like I’m going stir crazy as we wait for the judges to make their decision.

Once they do, all of the teams make their way back out onto the stage, gathering in groups.

The judge starts the announcements. “Third place.” I hold my breath, praying they don’t say our team's name. “The Cyclones.”

“Thank fuck,” Lennox sighs out in relief.

“We were so much better than that team.” I grin, feeling a bit guilty because I’m not a hater, but it’s true.

“Hell yeah,” Trevor agrees.

“Second place,” the announcer starts again. “The Storm Chasers!”

“Holy shit.” My eyes widen. “Lennox. Lennox, I’m going to puke.”

“What?” He gasps. “Is it the baby?”

“No!” I gape at him. “There’s only one team left. I will go down there and kick the judges asses if they don’t say our team’s name.”

“First place, and the winners of this year's National Championships are…”

“Here we go!” Lennox says, his knees bouncing eagerly.

“The Widows!”

“That’s our team.” I jump to my feet. “That’s my motherfucking team!”

The three of us go wild, as does our team on stage. Tears fill my eyes as pure pride and joy overcomes me.

“They did it.” Lennox cups my face and kisses me hard. “They fucking did it.”

“Come on.” I grab their hands.

We make our way through the crowds and down to the stage. I don’t even give a fuck that we’re not supposed to be there. The other teams leave the stage as our team gets handed a big ass trophy.

When Donny sees me, he rushes over to me and swoops me up into his arms. “We fucking did it, Cherry!”

“I’m so proud of you.” I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him hard. He carries me over to the others, and I get swarmed by the team, in the middle of their celebration.

“This is your win too,” Colton tells me when Donny sets me on my feet.

“You see that, baby girl?” Mateo grins wide. “We fucking did it.”

“Yes, you did!” I laugh, so damn happy I feel like I might explode.

And that’s when I feel like I just pissed myself.

“Oh, fuck.” My eyes widen as I look down at my pants.

“It’s okay, Cherry. I’m so excited, I feel like pissing myself too. I won’t judge.” Donny gives me a sympathetic look.

Because it’s Donny, I can’t help but laugh. “I didn’t pee myself.”

“Ahh. You're sure about that?” Colton asks, raising a brow.

“I know you just won, and I’m so damn happy. And I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone. But we need to go .”

“Why?” Mateo asks, frowning.

“Because my water just broke. We’re having this baby,” I say, my smile splitting my face.

And I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.

I lied. I fucking lied. I’m not thrilled. Not at all.

“Fuck!” I scream as I bear down, pushing for what feels like hours.

“You got this, Cherry. You can do it,” Donny grunts.

“It hurts,” I sob as I take a breath. Everything hurts, my hair is a mess, and sweat coats my body. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“Hey.” Mateo grips my chin from my other side. “You’re Rylee fucking Moore. You damn well can do this. You’re so fucking strong, baby. The strongest woman I know.”

“Just a few more pushes,” Colton encourages. “I can see her hair.” He’s standing at my feet, watching the whole thing, seeming fascinated.

Donny, on the other hand, was told to stay up by my head after he looked down and nearly passed out.

“You can do this, Rylee,” Trevor says, standing on the other side of the doctor, where Lennox stands next to him. “She’s almost here.”

“Stop looking at my vagina!” I growl, as the urge to push has me leaning over and going again.

“Eww, what is that?” Donny asks, peeking over my legs. “Did she just shit herself?”

“Fuck. You!” I shoot him a death glare.

“Not after watching that,” Donny grumbles.

“I’m gonna kill you,” I sob.

“Donny. Shut the fuck up before I kill you,” Mateo hisses.

“I’m not scared of you,” he huffs.

“Fine then, you're the last to hold the baby,” Lennox says with a smug grin.

“What?!” Donny gasps. “You’re mean. Fine. I'll shut up now.”

“Thank you!” the whole room says at the same time.

“Wow. Harsh much?” Donny pouts.

I love him, I really do. But right now, I want to throttle him.

Instead, when I go to push again, I squeeze his hand so tight, I feel the bones crunch beneath my fingers, and he lets out this girly squeal that fills me with satisfaction.

I’ll feel bad about it later, but right now, I'm in too much pain to care.

“That’s it. Keep going!” Colton shouts, filled with excitement. “Her head is coming. She's so close.”

That gives me the determination I need. With one more big push, I give it all I have. She slides out and I take in a gasping breath, feeling my body sag with relief.

“She’s so beautiful," Colton says in awe. A moment later, her little cries fill the room.

The sound has me joining in alongside her. It’s a noise I never thought I’d hear, but one I’ve desperately wanted for so long.

“Is she okay?” I ask, trying to blink through the tears. My body feels like it’s been hit by a truck, and my mind is groggy.

“She’s perfect,” Lennox breathes. “So fucking perfect.”

“Where are they taking her?” I ask in panic as the nurses take her away.

“They’re just taking her to get cleaned up,” Mateo soothes, brushing my sweaty hair off my forehead. “You did so fucking good, Rylee. I’m so damn proud.”

“She’s here.” I smile up at him sleepily.

“Yeah, she is. And she’s amazing. Red hair. Just like her mama.”

“Really?” I ask, looking over to where they’re cleaning the baby up. “I want to see her.”

A few moments later, they hand Trevor the baby and he brings her over to me.

“I think there's someone who wants to meet you,” he says, handing me our daughter.

“Hi there,” I breathe out, in total awe of the sweet, chubby little baby in my arms. “I’m your mommy.”

She blinks her eyes up at me, and just like that, I know I’m utterly and completely hers.

There won’t be a day that goes by that I don’t live for her.

She will be so loved. She'll never want for anything, and will have an army at her side to protect her from this cruel life we seem to keep finding ourselves in.

“You're really here.” I run my finger along her fuzzy little cheek. “Thank you for never leaving me.”

We all sit in silence, reveling in the joy of our daughter, and I cry softly, so overwhelmed with emotions, and everything we’ve been through to get to this point.

One by one, the guys hold her, and there’s not a dry eye in the room. Seeing them with her, looking at her like she hung the moon, and how deeply they love her, I’m reminded how wrong I was to keep her from them. I never should have second guessed anything I did.

I can't change the past, but I will make sure the future has a better outcome.

After the guys spend some time with her, my mom and Mateo’s family come in to meet her. Mom cries, so happy to have her first granddaughter.

After the dust had settled, when we found out about the baby, I called my mom and told her the news. She sobbed happy tears, so glad that everything worked out in the end.

With my dad offering to put her up in a hotel, she’s coming to stay and help with the baby, while I finish this school year.

The past year has shown me how important life is with the ones you love, and to never take that time with them for granted.

I ended up reaching out to my dad, knowing I’d regret it if something happened to him and I lost the chance to get to know him.

We started off slow, texting first, then I began going over for suppers. We’re still far from a normal father-daughter relationship, but I've started to like the guy.

He’s over the moon, excited to be a grandpa, and has spoiled our little girl beyond belief.

Normally, money doesn’t mean anything to me, but for our little girl, she deserves to be spoiled.

Seeing my mom and dad get along, while Trevor’s mom stands at my dad’s side, it gives me hope that I could have a normal family life.

Well, as normal as it gets for us.

Dad leaves with happy tears, along with everyone else, as they give us our privacy, letting us know they will check in with us soon.

“It’s still so surreal,” Lennox says, our baby girl in his arms. “I was so terrified I’d never get this.” He looks up at all of us. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”

“That’s what we do. We’re family. And family doesn’t give up on one another.” Colton pats Lennox’s shoulder.

“Yeah.” Lennox smiles over at me with tears in his eyes, and I give him a matching one. “The best family anyone can ask for.”

“So, have we decided on a name for this little one?” a nurse asks, stepping into the room.

Everyone looks at me, waiting to see what I’ve come up with.

“Yeah.” I smile down at my daughter, before looking up at the guys. “But it’s not one from the list.”

“What?” Donny pouts. “But I loved those names.”

“And I’m sure we will love whatever name Rylee picked." Mateo shoots him a look.

“So, what is it?” Colton asks, and my smile grows.

“I was thinking, Katie.” His eyes widen before glossing over with tears.

“Really?” he whispers, emotion thick in his throat.

“Yeah.” I nod. “Is that okay?”

“Okay?” he asks, wiping his eyes. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

“No. Thank you.” I laugh happily. “Thanks to all of you for loving me. For fighting for us. For sticking by my side through it all. We might not have had it easy, but we fought for this family more than most people would have. I’m lucky to have you. And so is this little girl.”

“And we’re blessed to have you.” Mateo leans in and presses a kiss to my lips.

“So damn happy.” Lennox grins.

“First, we win Nationals. And now we’re daddies. You know what? This is literally the best day ever.” Donny whoops.

“Yeah.” I smile at the five men who own my heart, knowing that even though life will have its ups and downs, we’re going to be okay. Because we have each other.

“It really is.”