Page 59 of Mad Love

“Because we’re trying to raise Caleb together and if it went south, it’d be the worst.”

“It’s not great when things go south, but we’re all examples of what happens when you’re a parent and the relationship with your significant other goes south,” Henley says. “With the exception of Adriane,” he gives Bowie an apologetic look, “we’ve all managed to co-parent with our exes. It’s not easy, but it can be done peaceably. If it didn’t work out with Sadie, you’d put Caleb first just like you already are.”

“Well said, Hen.” Rhodes says, pointing at him. He looks at me. “Any relationship is a risk. And yes, it becomes more complicated when you’re raising kids together, but that doesn’t mean you don’t give it a try if the feelings are there.”

“It’s probably just an attraction that will fade…but I’m not used to this feeling. You know me—I’ve slept with my share of girls that just want to be with me because I play for the Mustangs. The attraction doesn’t last. Is it because I haven’t slept with her yet? And then how awful would that be if I slept with her and my feelings weren’t the same?” I lower my head. “I don’t think she’d ever go there with me anyway because I slept with her sister,” I admit.

It’s quiet for a second.

“West,” Bowie says, his voice low.

I look up and meet his eyes.

“Get to know her. If these feelings grow and you think she feels the same, give them a chance. You’ll regret it if you don’t. Adriane broke my heart, but I don’t regret the time I had withher that was good. I think we’d all say that about our exes…even Rhodes.”

Rhodes snorts. “Yeah. You’re right, man. As much as Carrie drives me crazy, she gave me the best gift of my life. I can’t regret that.”

“And it’s not like you were in a relationship with her sister,” Penn says.

“We just made a baby,” I groan.

“That you never even saw when she was alive. The sister is a non-factor,” Penn argues.

“It might be a factor for her, and I’d understand if it was,” I say.

“Cross that bridge when you come to it,” Bowie says. “For now, don’t agonize over this attraction. Get to know her and see if that’s even what you’re feeling…if it goes beyond attraction. You’ve never stuck around a girl long enough to know.”

I swipe my hand over my face, groaning again, but he’s right. I’ve imagined I’d think about a relationship sometime in my mid-thirties after I’ve enjoyed my career a while and I’m ready to settle down. The interactions I’ve had have been with women that I didn’t expect to feel more for—the girls just down for a good time in high school and the jersey chasers from then on. It’s kind of gross when I think about it now, but I always thought it wasn’t hurting anyone since they went into it knowing it was just a one-time thing.

Getting a stranger pregnant knocks that theory out of the water.

“What Bowie said,” Henley says, smiling at us. “That’s sound advice.” He laughs and shakes his head. “I’ve gotta say though, it’s sure fun to see you in this state.”

The rest of them laugh and chime in their agreement.

Bastards.

“I’ll agree to get to know her better, but I’m going to bury this,” I wave my hand over my body, “whatever this is, way down deep and not let it out again. Thanks for letting me talk it through. It helped.” I let out a shaky breath.

They all look at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Shit. You didn’t hear a word we said.” Rhodes scowls.

“I heard you. I just…I have my hands full learning how to be a dad. I don’t think I can learn how to be in a relationship too.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

A DAY OUT

SADIE

I adore Clara.

The exuberance I felt when I found out she was Weston’s mom’s age and not some hot young thing…well, it was hard to contain.

I don’t even want to think about what that means.

After I’ve changed Caleb, Clara hands me a mug. “Here you go, honey. It’s a Solar Latte. I saw you perk up when I mentioned it has lavender in it.”

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