Page 18 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners (Gridiron Warriors #2)
Alexandra
T he December wind blows across the lake, chilling me as it hits my legs, even with leggings on under my maxi dress.
Warner walks behind me, giving me some space to be alone for a bit, while Brayden travels to an away game tonight, and I thought it would be the perfect time to take a walk and make this call.
I’m now at nineteen weeks, and so far, the nausea has decreased. At last week’s appointment, we found out I was carrying three little boys. I was hopeful that one would be a girl, but all boys would be wonderful, too.
Brayden is excited but still worried about the stalker, as well as the added concern that I’m developing gestational diabetes.
My routine has become eating several small meals throughout the day.
They plan to test me at my next appointment, just in case, and Dr. Grands has cautioned us that this condition is common in a multi-pregnancy and doesn’t necessarily reflect on being overweight or not before the pregnancy—something about the amount of placental tissue in my body from each baby.
Rubbing my hand across my belly, my wish is for them to be healthy and safe. We haven’t settled on names yet, but during our video chat tonight, we intend to talk about it.
Brayden has been playing so well that some of the sportscasters are saying this could be his best season.
He still insists that he won’t decide about his upcoming plans until the end of the season, but I know.
We’ve discussed it, and he’ll retire at the end of the season.
The more I think about it, I might step back a bit, too. My children need to be my focus.
The stalker has gone quiet, but she’s likely not gone. Sometimes, I swear she’s following me.
Briar and I went to the secured room at her office a few days after I was released from the hospital.
She was able to transfer every contact that I knew from my old phone to the new one.
She did locate some tracking and mirroring software, but so far, when she tries to backtrace it, it always leads to burner phones with no distinguishing contacts.
She’s developed a new theory and has been working on it lately.
Briar won’t tell me about it because she says I don’t need the added stress.
It’s too hard covering up my pregnancy now, and Brayden is tired of hiding our relationship. I do so only because I fear it will impact him more than me.
We don’t go out in public together very often. But I’m at every home game in a private box with Thor and Briar, who have also talked us into going to hockey games with them. They have become close friends and only live a few houses down from us, so I visit Briar when I take my daily walks.
Raven misses me being able to go out and about, but she comes to the house to hang out with me. She can’t tonight because she’s busy with another case.
I can’t run anymore, but walking fills that time, and some workouts are still doable, so that afterward, I’ll hopefully get my pre-pregnancy body back.
While walking through one of the parks near the house, I sit on a bench and dial the number for the one person I know can help me set my latest plan into motion. Making Brayden’s every dream come true is important to me, and this is one he’s had since he went pro.
“Hello.” This man’s voice sounds so much like his brother’s.
“Brent, it’s Alexandra.”
“Alex, how nice to hear from you. If you want help burying my brother’s body, just say the word,” he jokes, and I chuckle.
“I want to ask you a favor.”
“Name it.”
“I’ve gotten permission to send the company jet to Montana to pick you all up.
The Christmas game is in two weeks. My condo downtown is ready and waiting for you and your family.
Your parents can stay with Brayden and me.
It’s important they attend what could possibly be one of Brayden’s last holiday games.
Plus, we plan to reveal the genders of the babies with the families afterward. ”
Brent chuckles across the line. “You added that last part to get Mom there. You know she’ll want to know what her newest grandbabies are going to be.”
“Yeah, but we are also getting my parents to join us all. My sister and T.K. will be at the dinner but can’t make the game. T.K. doesn’t want to give it away that we are dating.”
“I have to tell you, Alex, I think it’s time you both come out of hiding. I understand your reasoning, but it’s stressing out Brayden.”
His words hit me, and my hand clasps my chest.
“You think?”
“Yeah. It doesn’t matter about this stalker. Just get it out there.”
“Let me think about it. Can you get your parents to the airport?”
“Of course. Lena can’t wait to meet you in person.”
“I can’t wait to meet her and hug your kiddos.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“I will. See you soon.”
I hang up the phone and walk around some more. Warner sticks close to me, and a woman comes running near us.
“Time to go,” Warner says, and we turn back toward the house.
This may be an exclusive high-end community, but it isn’t gated, so Warner stays beside me, and we make it back to the house, where I take a nap before getting online and finishing up on several contracts.
I only go into the office a couple of days a week now, preferring to work from home more.
The bosses okayed that and are just glad I’m still working and will continue doing so until I can’t.
My clients have grown accustomed to me not traveling to them all the time, and most of them are aware that I’m pregnant but haven’t made an official announcement.
If Brent is right, we should do that soon.
A fter a dinner for one of grilled chicken with pasta and veggies, I’m lying back on our bed, propped up with pillows, waiting for Brayden’s phone call.
Teal’C lies next to me with his head resting on my thigh, Alfred is at my feet, and Helena rests on the floor by the bed.
All three dogs protect me, but Teal’C takes it as his personal responsibility to be on my side when Brayden and I argue, to the point that he’ll chew up his stuff.
He hasn’t gone for another pair of cleats, but he’s torn up other things just to piss Bray off. It’s hilarious.
My tablet rings, and I open the video chat.
“God, baby, you look so beautiful. I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“How was your day? Did you get in a walk? What have you eaten? How much water have you had?” he asks in a frenzy.
“Bray, slow down. I’m okay. I know you hate leaving me, but I’m good. Warner is here, and so is the housekeeper. Raven will be by tomorrow to stay with me until you get home. I’m going into the office tomorrow.”
“Answer the rest of the questions, Lexi?”
“I’ve had three of my containers of water.” I hold up my Stanley cup. “I had no nausea today and was able to keep down all the food I ate. I did get a walk, but Warner cut it short because a woman jogged too close to me, and she didn’t want to risk it.”
“Good. I can’t wait until this is all over.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. I called and was talking to Brent about coming for the Christmas game.” Brayden knows about his brother, but not his parents. “He said maybe it’s time to make the announcement.”
“Are you sure, baby? I don’t want to push you.”
“It’s not me that I worry about.”
“Babe, Coach isn’t going to do anything. I heard from Mildred today that hospice has come in to take care of him. He might not make it to the playoffs.”
My heart hurts for Brayden, and I don’t like that Coach Winters is dying, but if he has copies of those images, he could still double-cross us, and I dwell on that all the time.
“I’m so sorry, honey.”
“It is what it is. Are you watching the game tomorrow?”
“You bet.”
“Can I see my boys?” Every night before bed, Brayden kisses my stomach and professes how much he loves them.
I turn the camera around and lift the shirt of my sleep set. The shorts rest under my stomach at nineteen weeks, and because of the size of the boys and the fact that there are three of them, I look like what most women do at thirty weeks.
“Night, boys. Daddy loves you.”
Tears fill my eyes, and there’s no stopping them from rolling down my face. He’s so sweet and tender with me and the babies.
“I love you,” I sniffle, and he chuckles.
“Turn me around, Alexandra.” I do as he says, and he gives me a tender look. “Baby, I love you too. I miss you so much. I’ll be home late tomorrow night to hold you and our boys.”
We discuss names and finally settle on three that we like. I fall asleep clutching Brayden’s pillow and missing him.