Page 38 of Unleashed

Hadley clears her throat and studies the rings on her fingers as her voice cracks. “I don’t expect him to change his feelings about me. I have my dad somewhat in my life. I should be grateful.”

I glance at Wilder, who glares back at me for bringing up the shitty topic. I know it bothers him that his wife was in love with someone else after their breakup, but that one’s all on him.

I look around us, and Hadley whispers, “Are you searching for her?” I whip my head back to her but avoid eye contact. “Damn, Hadders. No.” Yes. Always.

“Maybe you should talk to her. No arguing. Just talk.”

“Like that’s possible.”

Wilder asks, “Becks, can you give me Finley’s drink and snack?”

Almost dazed, Hadley digs into the diaper bag and hands Wilder a plastic sippy cup and a baggie full of meth or Cheerios. He takes them, throwing me another dirty look as he opens the bag for Finley.

Val asks, “Coach, do you know if the whole team will be here tonight?”

Wilder kisses Finley’s head before answering, “Not Amos, Crick, and Rhonda. That’s all I know.” He then glances at me, acting oblivious but stating the obvious.

“Oh, my God. Give me that magnificent girl.” Ricky stands behind Wilder, batting at Finley’s pigtails.

I laugh as Wilder lifts his kid, handing her to every dad’s worst nightmare. I snort. “Lock up your daughter, Wilder. Tesco is really robbing the cradle now.”

Hadley shoves my arm while her beloved scowls at me. Finley shrieks, “Wicky!”

Ricky seems happy to see the kid. He talks to her in a squeaky chipmunk voice, which I could use to blackmail him. I hear her responding with broken sentences but make out words like go to hell, get tested, and you’re a gross manwhore. Maybe I’m mistaken. But as much as he fucks around, it’s a shock he hasn’t spawned at least a dozen of his own.

Tesco grins at Finley as he holds her above him, making her squeal. As he coos at Finley, he sings, “Shut up, Rodwell. She’s my niece. Oh, and by the way, I just saw your ex-wife.”

I hiss, “Shh!” That’s all I need is for Betsy to hear that shit.

He laughs. “No one heard me or cares about your personal life. What a relief.”

A smack lands on my shoulder, and when I look up, Ferrera rounds the table to sit next to his mother. Val says, “Nicky, there’s a ton of food.”

“I’m fine, Mom.” His side glance leads me to see Simone talking to a sandy-haired prick. I’ve seen him somewhere, but generic snots are a dime a dozen. I roll my eyes but want to flip the table over.

Still carrying Finley, Ricky walks near Val, who holds out her hands. “I need baby love.”

Finley shrieks, “Vee Vee!” and hugs Val’s neck. Hell, that’s adorable. I hope she doesn’t call Val’s husband, Paul, Pee Pee. Just saying.

Hadley leans forward, taking Wilder’s arm with her. “Val, eat.”

She shakes her head as Tesco swoops Finley into Val’s arms. As Finley giggles more, Val kisses Finley on the cheek like she’s the highest bidder in Contestants’ Row. “Mommy and Daddy should eat first. We’re fine here.”

I cross my arms. “Damn. Will someone please make this woman a grandmother already?” I widen my eyes at Ferrera, whose instant frown is tragic yet funny.

Wilder says, “Done.” Val grins back at him with fast-watering eyes. Well, shit. I mean, she’s the girl’s godmother and proxy grandmother since Hadley’s mother is a piece of shit.

Ferrera breathes a loud sigh of relief and reaches for his beer. “See, Mom? There you go. I’m happy as a clam, being Finley’s adopted uncle.” I give Ferrera credit for being there when Jared isn’t. Even Tesco, damn him.

Tesco says, “If you need a woman, I have plenty of friends I could set you up with.” I doubt Ferrera wants to date anyone who resides at the free clinic.

Laughing at Ferrera’s horror, I glance at Hadley with her questionable life decision, and just sitting here, they gravitate toward each other. Hadley curls her arms around Wilder’s left arm as he grips her upper right thigh. It’s almost like he’s guarding her pussy on behalf of his dick.

Ricky walks behind my chair, and when he reaches Wilder, he roughs up his hair. I roll my eyes, but I wish I had Finn Wilder’s life. Not the part where Simone is my sister. He’s got it all. A beautiful wife, a cute kid, good looks, self-confidence, a cool career, and a best friend who would take a bullet for him. Literally, from what Hadley told me. I have none of that. The few friends I have would most likely put a bullet in me.

With his hair now sticking up, not unlike a cockatiel, Wilder tilts his head as Hadley looks up at him. The smile he gives her isn’t all that charming. Yet Hadley falls for it and jumps for his lips like a bass out of water. Wilder closes his eyes and drops with her as she settles back in her chair, still kissing her. In front of everyone. Come on.

I roll my eyes and sneer, “Don’t get her pregnant here.”

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