Page 37 of Mad Love

Whoa. Carrie has the balls of a bull.

“I was having kids with my wife, not realizing that she didn’t want to be married to me anymore,” Henley says, his voice low.

No way. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to be married to Henley Ward?

“Sorry, man.” Rhodes clinks his beer bottle to Henley’s.

“I didn’t know my girlfriend couldn’t handle a child with special needs,” Bowie says.

Oh my god.

“Fuck, you guys win, okay?” Rhodes says.

My heart has dropped more with each new revelation, but Bowie and Henley laugh and clink their glasses.

“They get me with that shit every time,” Rhodes grumbles.

“Hey, we’re only telling the truth,” Henley says. “This is how we deal with our pain. We laugh about it.”

“I’m not laughing right now,” Rhodes says. “That’s some depressing shit, man. Makes Carrie sound like a saint.”

They all laugh at that.

“Carrie is not a saint,” Penn says.

Rhodes wipes his eyes, laughing harder than all of them. “I know that’s right. That woman is terrifying, but she’s a good mama. She wanted a football player baby daddy and that’s what she got.”

“A damn good one too,” Bowie says.

“Aw, you goin’ soft on me, Bow?” Rhodes acts like he’s going to kiss Bowie on the cheek, and Bowie has him in a headlock in the next second. Rhodes screams like he’s dying and Caleb starts crying. “Fuck, I’m sorry,” he says, ducking out of Bowie’s hold in an instant. “I swear I’m an adult when my son is with me.” He looks at me solemnly.

“I believe you.” I reach out for Caleb and Weston hands him to me. I close my eyes as I hold him close. He quiets down and nestles into my neck and it’s the best feeling in the world.

“These guys are the best dads I know,” Henley says. “And you will be too, Weston. You’re already blowing my mind. It took me at least fifteen minutes to change a diaper when we had Cassidy.” He looks at his watch. “Shit. I’ve gotta run pick the girls up.” He smiles at me. “Sadie, it was a pleasure.”

My cheeks flush and I mumble something back, and Weston walks him to the door.

One of the guards brings the pizzas when they arrive, and it’s good that I got my three slices right away. Weston asks if I’d likemore before the last few pieces are taken, and when I say no, they swoop in. They inhale six large pizzas.

Weston’s groaning afterward. “I know we’re off-season, but I still shouldn’t have done that.”

“You’ll be all right. You guys want to meet at the gym tomorrow?” Penn asks.

“I could if it’s earlier in the day.” Bowie looks at his watch. “I better head out. Becca will be home soon.”

“I can meet you,” Rhodes says. “Carrie has Levi today and tomorrow.”

“I’ll pass this time,” Weston says.

“I can watch Caleb if you want to go,” I tell him.

He smiles. “Thanks. I’m not quite ready to leave him yet.” He sees the look on my face, and adds, “Not because I’m afraid of leaving him with you. We’ve got papers now, remember?” He bumps my hip with his and my insides flood with heat.

When I glance away, Penn, Bowie, and Rhodes are all staring at us with interest.

Rhodes grins. “You two have got a cute little thing going on already, you know that, right?”

“Shut up, Rhodes,” Weston says.

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