Page 45 of Rematch

So why, when he was standing right in front of her, couldn’t she?

“Um…”

Months of guilt were washed away in an instant, replaced by…fuck…

Everything.

Nervousness, happiness, relief…and even fear over his reaction.

What if he denied or rejected his paternity?

What if he didn’t?

Chelsea didn’t know what to make of the fact that the second question scared her more than the first. For the first three months of his life, her baby had been just that—hers. Now, however, that was all about to change, and it terrified her.

Since she and Preston both looked like deer in the headlights, Ethan took over, reaching into the small cooler she’d brought with her, pulling out a bottle of milk, and handing it to her as the baby continued to fuss.

Her gaze traveled between the men. “Ethan, how do you know Preston?”

“Preston Jacobson plays for the Baltimore Stingrays, Cupcake.” Ethan ran a fingertip down her cheek, grinning. “You really should’ve said yes when I invited you to all those games. Especially the ones since the start of the season…in October. I could’ve even loaned you his jersey,” he added in a whisper she hoped Preston couldn’t hear.

Ethan was literally the world’s biggest Stingrays fan on the planet, attending as many home games as he could afford, and the owner of more jerseys than the players themselves probably had. He’d been trying to drag her and Allyson to games for years, but they’d always turned him down, comparing going to a hockey game to pap smears, trips to the dentist, and helping a friend move. They’d made a game of coming up with a long list of shit they’d much rather do.

To be honest, Chelsea wasn’t as opposed to attending a game as she was giving up the gag over not going.

If she’d gone in October…

Preston didn’t acknowledge the introduction.

Instead, his eyes were locked on the baby in her arms.

“It looks like congratulations are in order, Chelsea,” he said stiffly.

Oh no. Did he think that she and Ethan were a couple? And that the baby…

This was bad.

Really, really bad.

Chapter Seven

“Please let me stay,” Ethan murmured.

Preston vaguely recalled that Chelsea had a gay best friend named Ethan, so while this man wasn’t the father, that meant the guy from earlier…

Fuck. Was that guy her boyfriend? Her husband? Preston couldn’t see her ring finger, thanks to the baby blanket covering her hands.

“No,” Chelsea replied, under her breath. Obviously, she was trying to keep her conversation with Ethan private, despite the fact Preston was standing right there and could hear every word.

“I’ll go over there and stand in the corner. You won’t even know I’m here. I won’t say a word, promise.” Ethan made no effort to lower his voice. In fact, he was looking at Preston as he spoke to Chelsea. “Preston Jacobson,” he added, shaking his head in disbelief. “And my sweet little Cupcake. Unbelievable.”

Preston didn’t have a clue what Ethan was talking about, but he was clearly exasperating Chelsea, who blew out a hard sigh.

“Don’t you have something to do in the kitchen or somewhere else?” she asked pointedly.

Ethan shook his head. “Nope. You’re not going to talk loud enough for me to hear you all the way in the kitchen.”

Chelsea closed her eyes briefly, as if praying for patience. “Go away. Please.”