Page 10

9

Hendrix

Grizz

How’s it going, hotshot? Encountered any biohazards yet?

With a growl, I shove my phone into my pocket. If it were anyone else, I’d confess and ask for advice, but there’s no way in hell I’m talking to that showoff.

I’ll ask Jack later. I’ve got a lot more respect for him after that poopy diaper incident. He had to do it all by himself after Danielle left. With a shiver, I return to bath time.

Haddy sits securely in a little foam chair in the middle of the garden tub in Raven’s bathroom. She’s much calmer now that she’s had her dinner.

We don’t have a high chair or seat for her, so she sat in my lap as Raven spooned mush into her mouth. It was really cute, and surprisingly not too messy.

Raven would hold up a spoonful of bright orange sweet potatoes, and Haddy would open her mouth like a baby bird. Then she’d do a little shiver like it was the grossest thing in the world, but she kept opening her mouth for more.

I couldn’t stop laughing. I might be biased, but I think she’s the cutest baby I’ve ever seen. Garrett can fight me.

Now she’s in the warm water, and I lift a sponge shaped like an octopus, sliding it over her teeny shoulder. She’s happy, and she seems to have forgiven me for my snorkel misstep.

I guess I did look pretty scary in that mask, but dinner made up for it.

“It’s like she has rubber bands around her arms.” I use the octopus to wash the three little creases on her chubby limb.

Haddy kicks her feet in the water, splashing bubbles all around us and making happy baby noises. Warmth fizzes in my chest, which is weird. I have never been the baby type.

“She’s very healthy.” Raven sits on the step beside me, lifting a cup of water to wet her hair.

I take the baby shampoo and pour a pea-sized amount into my hand before rubbing them together to make a lather. “She’s adorable.”

A small smile lifts the side of Raven’s lips, and she watches me massaging my hands over our daughter’s head. When I finish, she uses the cup to rinse the soap out of Haddy’s hair, and I hold my hand over her eyes to shield them.

I might suck at poopy diapers, but I’ve got this bathing routine on lock.

We drain the water, and I make sure she’s thoroughly rinsed before lifting her out of the tub. At the last minute, I remember to pull off my T-shirt and place her against my chest.

The hood of her towel is over her little head, and the length is wrapped around her bottom. But her bare stomach and chest are against mine, and I slide my hand up and down her towel-covered back.

Raven sits back on her feet frowning up at me curiously. “What are you doing? ”

“I saw a TikTok that said skin-to-skin contact is important for dads to bond with the baby.”

As if following instructions, Haddy rests her head in the center of my chest right under my throat and puts her hand on my shoulder. I lift my eyebrows at Raven as if to say, See ?

“You’re watching dad TikToks now?”

“Garrett acts like he’s Dad of the Year, but I can do this.” I’m even getting better at keeping my voice level. “I’m Dad of the Decade.”

“It’s not a competition, Hendrix.”

“You don’t know my brother. It’s always a competition.”

Her head tilts to the side, and a little smile curls her lips. “Is it because you were the baby boy?”

That makes me huff a laugh. “I was never the baby anything. Dylan was born eighteen months after me. She was the baby.”

“But you were a baby, too.”

“I might’ve been the youngest son, but Garrett was the baby boy.”

Her nose wrinkles, and I know it’s hard to understand. Three years passed before I was born with Dylan right on my heels, but Garrett never relinquished his title, regardless of the new additions.

“She probably likes the way you smell.”

“Are you saying I smell good?” My brow arches, and her ears turn pink again… third time this evening.

“I mean, yeah.” She’s so flustered, I’m not letting this go.

“How do I smell?”

“I don’t know. Like vanilla and sandalwood.” Raven stands quickly, reaching for our daughter. “Let me get a diaper on her before she pees on you, then you can resume your bonding.”

Reluctantly, I allow her mom to take her. Haddy makes a little fussy noise, and I nod like I’ve already started winning.

“TikTok for the win!”

“Okay, champ.” Raven shakes her pretty dark head, and I follow her to Haddy’s room, letting my eyes run over her sexy ass. She says no touching, but I can still admire the scenery.

And I’ll readily admit I’m checking her out. She was totally lying earlier.

“Hey, don’t mention the snorkel thing to the girls.” I can just imagine Garrett having a field day with that one.

“Think it’ll cost you some ‘dad of the decade’ points?”

“It’ll put me in the hole for sure.”

“Don’t worry.” She puts Haddy on her back on the changing table like a pro. “It was a rookie mistake.”

“Just don’t mention it to Liv.”

“Not ever?” She glances up at me.

I know, I know. Everybody wants a good laugh at my expense. I get it.

“Not until I’ve gotten a little better at this.”

I’m standing beside her at the changing table when my phone goes off. Looking down, I see it’s our quarterback Tyler Murray on FaceTime, and I hit the accept button.

“Tyler!” I step away so I don’t startle Haddy. “What’s up, brother?”

“You’re back! What was the emergency in Newhope?”

“Oh, you know. Family shit.” I glance over my shoulder, thinking maybe I could start a swear jar or something. Language training.

“We’re heading to Jaguar’s tonight. Come with!” He’s grinning, and my jaw tightens.

Jaguar’s is a strip club the guys like to frequent. Occasionally, I’ll tag along, and for the first time I feel uncomfortable about someone knowing.

“Ahh, I don’t know, man.” I look over my shoulder again, wondering if Raven is listening.

“What?” Tyler’s voice is loud. “Alana’s dancing tonight. I know you want to see her, and man, she’s got this new move. You’re gonna jizz in your pants. ”

Clearing my throat, I wish I’d have sent this call to voicemail until I was alone. “I’m not really in the mood for that.”

“Did I call the wrong number? Who is this? Bodysnatchers?”

Turning away, I duck and lower my voice. “You know that’s not my scene.”

“Not your scene? You were doing shots off Alana’s belly last month.”

“That wasn’t me.” I huff a laugh. It really wasn’t .

“What’s up? You got a girl at the house? You’re acting weird, and you keep looking over your shoulder.”

“Two girls, actually.” I haven’t had a chance to tell anybody about Haddy, although I’d love to take her to practice and show her off.

I’m not sure how Raven feels about being shown off. Or why I’m even thinking of showing her off— what the fuck?

“Oh dang, I’d better let you go then.” A note of admiration is in his tone. “I expect to hear all about this next week.”

“It’s not like that?—”

“Right, and you don’t go to strip clubs either. I got you. See you at practice, bro.”

The phone goes dark, and I turn to find Raven standing in the doorway of Haddy’s room with my baby girl on her hip and a smirk on her lips.

Exhaling a short laugh, I shake my head. “Tyler’s our quarterback. We hang out… sometimes.”

“No need to explain.” She holds up a hand, passing me on the way to the kitchen.

I hustle to catch up with her. “All this has happened so fast, and I wasn’t sure what you’d want me to tell the guys.”

“It’s really none of my business.” We’re in the kitchen, and I watch as she takes out a bottle and mixes up the formula. Then she pops it into the microwave and hits the button. “We’re about to go to bed, so if you’d like to go out with your friends, there’s no reason for you to stay home. ”

She’s saying that, but she has that tone in her voice that I know from experience means the exact opposite.

“I really don’t like going to strip clubs.”

Her head cocks to the side, and her eyes almost roll as she looks at me. Haddy sits on Raven’s hip blinking those bright blue eyes at me.

“You’re doing me a favor, Hendrix. I don’t expect you to change your whole lifestyle for the three months we’re here. Go out with your friends.”

Slowly, carefully, I cross the space to where she’s standing. Holding out my hands, I give Haddy a moment to decide. I’m gratified when she leans forward, allowing me to lift her off her mother’s hip and onto my chest.

“I’ve gone with him a few times.” I rub my hand up and down Haddy’s back as she lays her little head on my shoulder. “Alana is this old-school, pinup-type of girl everyone was talking about. I was a single dude. I was curious.”

The microwave buzzes and she turns away, testing the temperature of the liquid on her wrist. “You don’t have to defend yourself. It’s not my business.”

“I really don’t like those clubs,” I continue anyway. “Those women are too thin. Their boobs are clearly fake.” She’s not impressed, so I quickly add, “And they’re all someone’s daughter or sister.”

Her eyes almost roll, but she redirects, holding out her hands for our baby. “Just stop.”

“I’m sorry.” My voice is quiet, and I don’t want to give her Haddy.

I’m not sure why, but I’m invested. I don’t want her to think I’m that kind of guy.

“Why are you sorry?” Her voice is equally quiet. “I’m not here to be your ball and chain.”

My chest burns. “Still. I care about what you think of me.”

“Why? ”

“Because you’re the mother of my daughter. And we’re going to be married.”

“It won’t be a real marriage.”

“It will be for a little while, and I want you to think I’m a good guy. A good dad.” I stop short of saying a good husband . That feels way too intense. “I don’t want you to think I’m an asshole.”

“I don’t think you’re an asshole.” She says it like she might think I’m something else, though.

“I don’t want you to think I’m a fuck boy either. I want you and Haddy to be proud of me.”

“You definitely need a swear jar.” She lifts our daughter off my chest. “Bedtime.”