Page 23 of Run the Play (Nashville Rampage #2)

Chapter Twelve

R owan

Pulling my car into the driveway, I park next to Landry’s truck. I didn’t expect him to be here since today is my day, but I know everyone has been rotating in and out to support Baker since the baby was born.

Corie put together a list of the days when Baker had the baby, and we’re all taking turns stopping by with food and to lend a hand with whatever he might need. Today, I made baked spaghetti with garlic bread.

Climbing out of the car, I make sure to have my phone, then reach into the back seat for the food container before making my way to the door. Baker told us not to knock, just in case the baby was sleeping, and to come on in, so that’s what I do.

Quietly, I shut the door behind me and move toward the kitchen to drop off the food before going in search of Baker. The kitchen is a mess, with bottles and dirty dishes in the sink. I make a mental note to work on that after I check-in.

Keeping my steps light, I head to the living room to find a disheveled Baker and Landry, with baby Camden—Cam for short—lying on his chest. “Hey.” I wave at them.

“Today’s your day, huh?” Baker asks with a smile.

“It is. How are things?” I ask, taking a seat next to Landry on the couch. My hand immediately goes to the baby’s back. I rub gentle, soothing strokes, and he shudders a breath.

“His days and nights are mixed up,” Baker says, running his fingers through his hair.

“Go take a nap.”

“I—” He starts to protest, but I raise my hand to stop him.

“Really, Baker, it’s fine. That’s what we’re here for. There’s baked spaghetti that’s still warm with garlic bread in the kitchen. Go eat, shower, take a nap, do whatever you need to do. I’ve got these two,” I tease.

“Hey.” Landry chuckles. “Uncle Landry is doing just fine, thank you very much.”

“I can see that.” I smile at him. “Go on, Daddy. Get some rest. When was the last time he ate?”

“He’s due again in about an hour.”

“Got it. Go. We’ll be just fine. I promise to wake you if we need you.”

Baker looks between me and Landry.

“Today is my day, and I have no other plans. Let me help you.”

Baker runs his fingers through his hair. His eyes are tired, and you can tell he’s completely exhausted. “Thank you, Rowan.”

I wave him off. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

He nods. “I’ll be upstairs. Just a quick nap and a shower. Fuck me, I would love a hot shower longer than ten seconds.”

“Well, now’s your time. Go. We’ve got this.”

Baker stands from the chair and comes to stand next to us. He bends and kisses the back of Cam’s tiny head, then hugs me. “Thank you.”

“Keep your paws off my girl,” Landry scolds, making Baker laugh as he walks away and disappears up the stairs.

“Hand him over, Reynolds,” I say, holding out my hands. “Stop being a baby hog.”

“We’re bonding. He needs his Uncle Landry time.”

“Well, I need baby snuggles, so gimme.”

Landry chuckles, kisses baby Cam’s head, and gently hands him to me.

“Hello, sweet boy,” I coo to the baby.

Landry places his hand on my bare knee and watches me intently. “He’s been sleeping since I got here.”

“Yeah, babies sleep a lot. How’s Baker?”

“Exhausted. He’s out of his element. Worried about the season starting. This little guy is only two weeks old, and while he’s excused this week from practice, he’s going to need help.”

“The girls and I are here for whatever he needs.”

“Yeah, but you all have full-time jobs. He’s going to need someone when he’s at practice and during away games.”

“Can Natasha not help?”

Landry rolls his eyes. “She’s adamant that they have to do a fifty-fifty split on time, regardless of each of their work schedules.”

“What about his parents?”

“They live in Michigan. They’re planning to come down the week after next and keep Cam his first week back to practice. He needs something long-term.”

“Why don’t they interview nannies together? Someone who will travel from Natasha’s place to Baker’s and stay with Cam. Someone he’s used to, and they both know and trust?”

“That’s actually an excellent idea. You’ll have to suggest it when he wakes up.”

“I can’t imagine how hard this is for him. For both of them. Having a newborn and sending him off for a week after he’s home from the hospital.” I shake my head. “I don’t think that I could do it.”

“I’m glad she’s being fair, for not trying to push Baker out of his life, but she’s a model. She understands a demanding work and travel schedule.”

“Hopefully, they can work it out. At night, I can keep him. I’m sure Corie and Sloane would take a turn as well. The nanny can cover the days, and we can help with the nights or if she has a night off or whatever. I don’t know how they would structure it, but I’m happy to help.”

He rubs his thumb over my knee. “Because you have a good heart.” His tone is soft, almost tender.

“You all have given me so much,” I tell him. “Friends who are my own. People to spend time with who actually want to spend time with me, not pretend because of who I’m dating.”

“Hey, I’m a cool guy,” he says.

“You know what I mean. We’re pretending.”

“Yeah,” he says, leaning closer, resting his head on my shoulder. His scent wraps around me like a warm embrace.

We’re both quiet after that. Camden is sleeping peacefully in my arms, and I feel my body relax into the couch.

Landry snuggles closer, and for a brief second, I let myself pretend that he’s really mine.

That his touch is more than just something casual.

I never thought I’d be ready to put myself out there again, but coming to Nashville has changed me.

Saved me.

It has a lot to do with the man using my shoulder as a pillow.

Landry’s confidence in keeping Chaz at bay is unparalleled.

I’ve never had someone in my corner like he is.

Not just Landry, all of them. My friends.

My family by choice. That’s what they’ve given me, and I hope that I can provide them with a fraction of that back in return.

So, yes, whatever Baker needs for this little cuddle bug, I’m there.

I was once alone and feeling as if there was no one to catch me when I fell. And now, I have lots of someones, and I’ll never take them for granted.

Landry’s soft breath against my neck tells me he’s sound asleep. Carefully, not to startle him awake or jostle the baby, I slide out from underneath him and make my way to the kitchen. I find a baby carrier on the island and smile. That’s exactly what I need.

In no time, I have Camden strapped in against my chest, and I get to work cleaning up the kitchen. I don’t start the dishwasher, not wanting it to disturb anyone, but it’s loaded and ready to go when everyone wakes up.

Just as I’m finishing and wiping off the counters, Camden starts to get fussy.

“It’s okay, buddy,” I soothe. “Are you hungry? Let’s make you a bottle.

” I do just that, grab a bottle of water for myself, and move back to the living room.

Landry is still out, so I settle into the recliner that also rocks.

I work Camden out of the carrier and settle him in my arms to eat.

“There you go,” I say softly. “All better. You were hungry, huh?” I ask him. He sucks on his bottle like it’s been days since he’s had food, and I can’t help but smile at the little guy. “You keep eating like that, you’ll be big and strong like your daddy and your uncles,” I tell him.

He fusses a little when I have to pull the bottle away to burp him, but the little guy knows the drill and is able to get right back to eating. He finishes his entire bottle and is snoozing, but I know he needs a diaper change.

“Come on, buddy, let’s go change your diaper, and then you can rest.” Taking the bottle to the kitchen, I rinse it out one- handed and then head down the hall to his room.

A quick diaper change later, and he’s all snuggled up in his little Nashville Rampage blanket.

I’m pretty sure it was a gift from Knox and Corie.

It’s cute and very fitting for this little guy.

I pick up some dirty laundry and toss it into the hamper by the changing table.

I’ll start a load once the guys wake up.

Knowing the house is calm and quiet, I take a seat in the rocking chair and settle in.

I’m content to sit here and rock this little man while his daddy and his uncle get some rest. I don’t sleep, but instead, I let myself think about how much my life has changed.

I somehow found the courage to start over on my own, and it was the absolute best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

I startle awake when I feel someone touching my face. My eyes pop open to find Landry crouched next to the rocker, smiling at me. “There she is,” he whispers. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” My hand still rests on Camden’s back, and we’re both sweaty.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I say, my voice raspy with sleep.

“I was checking on the two of you. I woke up alone. You want me to take him?”

“I’ll put him in his crib.” Slowly, I stand and place Camden down. He shudders a breath but doesn’t wake up. “Your daddy’s right. You do have your days and nights mixed up,” I tell the sleeping baby.

I feel a warm body come up behind me. Landry wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on top of my head. “He’s a cute kid.”

“He is,” I agree, leaning into his chest, soaking up his warmth.

“Do you want kids?” he asks.

“If you would have asked me a couple of years ago, I would have said no. There was no way I wanted to bring an innocent child into that environment. Now, things look a little brighter. Today, my answer is yes. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to have a family of my own.”

“Me too,” Landry says, his voice barely audible. “Corie and I, we lost our dad first. We were both young, but Corie was only five years old. I don’t think she remembers him much.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Tears prick my eyes. Corie told me they’d lost their parents, but hearing it from him, it’s hard to not react to the emotion I hear in his voice.