Page 33

Jack

Seven years later

T he Hollingsworths have proved over the years they have no chill.

No fucking chill.

And today supports my argument more than anything.

When I said this to Emma, she actually laughed in my face.

After she finally calmed down, she stated I have no room to talk. Then she kissed me, said I have less chill than anyone she’s ever met, and that she wouldn’t have it any other way.

I told her she was crazy.

Then she reminded me how I announced that we were expecting the first heir to our throne.

That shut me up.

But it’s not my fault that my sperm is just as obsessed with her as I am. That’s exactly what I told every person who would listen to me. And since I have a way of demanding attention, that was pretty much everyone I knew and even those I don’t since I posted that shit on social media.

I can’t help it.

When we found out she was pregnant seven months ago, I did it all over again with the added reminder that Emma and I are genetically created to produce perfection. I might’ve announced that with a picture of my hands on her bare belly.

I never had a dad.

Before I saw my opening and forced myself back into Emma’s life, that was my only apprehension in the world.

I kept that fear to myself. I never told my mom, Levi, or even Emma—and I tell her everything.

I knew I wouldn’t be a shit dad, but I had no fucking clue how to be a great one. And when it comes to the stuff in life that matters, I don’t do anything half-ass. It’s a compulsion. I can’t let people down.

I’m not an idiot. I know it comes from being unwanted by my own father. I’ve tried to control it, but I can’t.

When Emma was pregnant with Max, I experienced inner conflict for the first time in my life.

Pure happiness laced with uncontrollable fear.

I was consumed by it.

When I held him in my arms for the first time, I cried.

I don’t remember the last time that happened. Not even when I promised to love and cherish my wife in this very spot seven years ago. Making the commitment to Emma was easy. I knew I’d kill it as a husband.

But as a dad?

Fuck.

Yeah, I cried that day.

And every day since, I wonder how any man could walk away from something as perfect as their own child. My inner need to not let anyone down reached new heights.

I’m a damn good sports agent. My clients receive the best in the business no matter where they are in their career.

My friends will never have anyone more loyal at their side.

My mom and grandmother will always be taken care of.

And Emma will know nothing but love and support. No wife on earth will ever have a bigger hype man and protector than me.

But my kids?

They’ll have the best fucking dad on earth.

I watch my wife walk down the aisle carrying our second perfect creation. Seven more weeks until I can hold Sloan in my arms. I tell Emma every day how envious I am, which explains the photo that went viral on her socials. Even Mason’s chickens laid green eggs—they were that jealous. I can’t keep my hands off my growing daughter in Emma’s swollen belly.

I wink at my wife. Curvy, beautiful, and hotter than ever.

She returns my wink with the smallest air kiss on her perfect, puckered lips.

I can’t take my eyes off her as she stands next to the other bridesmaids in her number one position of matron of honor.

Then I turn and can’t keep the stupid grin off my face. Max is paired with his cousin, Juliet, Levi and Carissa’s youngest. Carissa announced that they were stopping at four kids. But if my best friend has anything to say about it, I wouldn’t put my money on that. My son is looking like a miniature badass in his tux and custom sneakers I had designed just for this occasion. There’s only another pair like them in the world, and I’m wearing them.

Having contacts at the big swoosh has its perks.

I did make my three-year-old son promise not to run in them until the reception. They’ll be scuffed to shit by the end of the night.

Max is hell on wheels.

I love it.

I don’t really care if he breaks that promise. I doubt the bride will either. She’s given this family a run for their money over the years. I’m pretty sure it brings her joy when her nieces and nephews give their parents hell.

I’ve got to give my son credit. He makes it all the way to the second row before he starts to skip and hop to his mom.

He’s standing on the wrong side, but no one cares. Emma wrangles him and her bouquet as best she can while everyone else turns when the quartet transitions into the bride’s music. At least my son didn’t spike the ring bearer’s pillow like a football. I breathe a sigh of relief and call it a win.

The Hollingsworth family has grown over the years.

Knox dumped his cougar girlfriend the month after he created drama at Hudson’s birthday party. He continued to live his best fraternity life until his senior year of college when he was shot through the heart with cupid’s arrow. She was quiet and shy and a brainiac. So basically, the female version of Knox before he broke out of his shell in college. She was also two years younger than him.

I swear he stayed in college to get every degree he could collect just to stay with her.

They were married in this exact spot last year.

He might not be a legal Hollingsworth, but the family has claimed Cade. He’s as official as anyone and kept to his word that marriage is not for him. That doesn’t mean he’s alone. We don’t even call her his girlfriend anymore, because they’re in it for life. Cade and Hallie are happy the way they are. They haven’t announced it to the world in the same fashion I did, but she’s pregnant. I’ve never seen Cade happier.

And now it’s Saylor’s turn.

She continued to keep her parents on their toes throughout high school and college.

Or what little college she attended. She’s proof a degree isn’t needed when you’re willing to be creative and work hard.

Saylor took a lesson from Mason’s chickens and found success on social media. Her online boutique has grown so much over the last couple of years, she bought her own piece of land in the middle of nowhere and built a warehouse where she runs her up-and-coming dynasty of fashion.

Saylor is a lesson in opposites can attract, because she fell in love with her accountant. The rest was history. He promised Asa he’d love and protect her and keep her out of tax jail.

What more can a dad ask for?

I do wonder if he knows what his new father-in-law does for a living.

I found out the hard way.

I hope he doesn’t have to.

When Asa walks Saylor to the altar that’s gotten a lot of use over the years, it’s hard to focus on what’s going on right in front of me. All I can think about is the day I watched Emma walk this same aisle straight to me.

And here I am watching my entire world stand in almost the same spot.

Yeah.

My life is fucking fabulous.

Emma

Jack walks into our room in nothing but a pair of athletic shorts. My husband looks as good as he did the day he chased me down in a posh Black Resort.

I’d say he looks just as good as he did when he gave me my first kiss, but he doesn’t.

He’s better in every way possible. He’s more than a dream. He’s my universe.

Every beautiful muscle is on display as he stalks toward me. There are times like this when I wonder if I can be more in love with him than I am right now, but then another day goes by, and he gives my heart another reason to pour over with love.

“Did you put the house to bed?” When I found out I was pregnant with Max, Jack announced we needed a big house with a yard and, I quote, a white fucking picket fence.

Our house is big, but there’s no picket fence. There is a security gate and enough land and trees surrounding it that we have plenty of privacy in the summer, especially around the pool. And we’re only ten minutes from downtown. And since I travel most every week to a different game, it’s nice to be near the airport.

I got the job all those years ago, and Jack is my biggest fan. If he’s not with his clients, he’s watching me on the field. He invested hours teaching me the intricate rules of football before moving on to basketball. I’ve been back to the big game every year. This year I was barely pregnant and thought I was going to throw up the whole time. It was a blowout, so at least I didn’t have to run to get an interview.

Jack’s agency is booming. He has an office with a small staff. Brett Sullivan is still his number one client and also a good friend. Even Rylan Crawford is thriving these days. After a year of friendship between Brett and Rylan, Brett hired him to help run his foundation. Brett said he’s never had anyone so committed to his philanthropy.

“Keeping you safe, baby, one day at a time.” He climbs up the bottom of the bed, yanks the covers off me, and pulls my right foot into his lap. “You were on your feet too much today.”

“It was worth it. It was a great day. Max danced with your grandma until her knees were swollen. I can’t lie, I’m so happy your mom and Pierce took Max home to spend the night. I might sleep until noon.”

I relax into my pillow as his strong hands start to put pressure on the balls of my feet. Not exactly orgasmic, but it’s a close second.

Jack reaches to push my tank over my belly and leans up to kiss our daughter before moving onto my calf. “All the Hollingsworths are married. Time for your dad to retire the altar.”

I rub my belly. “I know. How is that possible? Saylor is almost as young as Levi and Carissa were.”

He switches to my other foot. “My only regret in life is that I didn’t force you to love me sooner.”

A small smile plays on my lips. “Like you’d ever have to force me to love you. Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

He drops my foot and crawls up my body before fitting himself to my side where he props himself on an elbow. His other hand smothers mine over our little Sloan. “Just think about how many more babies we could’ve had if I would have stayed in that barn with you all those years ago.”

I look up at him. “I think I’ve got one more in me. We’ll have to go to a zone defense though.”

Jack leans down and puts his lips to our baby. “You heard it here first, Sloan. You’re going to be a middle child. I’m going to hold your mama to it.”

Sloan kicks.

I smile. “She approves.”

“Or she doesn’t. Who knows?”

“I think it’s your voice. She loves her daddy already, just like the rest of us.”

Jack nudges me to my side and fits himself behind me. I give him my weight and savor his warmth and strong chest supporting me. Us. Just like he does our entire family.

He presses his lips to my head. “Go to sleep. We can sleep in and have morning sex like the good old days.”

I close my eyes. “Something to look forward to.”

“Love you, baby.”

“I love you too.” I pause and feel my body get heavy but need to say one more thing. “Jack?”

His voice is as heavy as mine. “Yeah, baby.”

I don’t tell him this often, but there are times like this that I love to remind him. I’ve been doing it ever since I watched him hold Max for the first time. “You’re the best dad. Our babies are lucky. I’m lucky to have you.”

He buries his face in my hair and holds me tighter. “Em, you know you break me when you say that.”

I close my eyes and allow sleep to take over. “It’s my job to make sure you never forget it. I’ll tell you forever.”

“I’ll hold you to that, baby. Forever.”

Thank you for reading.