Page 112 of The Way We Score

I’m not convinced any of that makes sense. At the sametime, why am I explaining myself to a random vacationer in south Alabama?

She seems to read my expression and takes a step back. “It’s none of my business, is it?” She exhales a laugh. “You probably have a sick mother or sibling with cancer, and I’m the worst possible fan, prying into your personal life. I want to die. I’m so sorry.”

Now I feel guilty. “No, it’s not like that. My girlfriend is expecting, well, my fiancée actually…”I hope. “She was having some complications with the pregnancy, and I needed to be here with her.”

“Is she okay now?”

“Yeah,” I nod. “She’s a lot better.”

“But you’re still here. Are you quitting the team?”

“Ahh… still working out the details there.” My throat tightens as I say the words, and I decide I’d better go.

This woman has a weird way of getting me to say more than I want to say, and I’m not sure how much Liv would want me telling strangers about our plans.

“Anyway, looks like the cat’s gone. Enjoy the rest of your visit.”

The woman smiles, and her voice turns into something a little more sly. “Thank you so much, Mr. Bradford. You’ve been a big help.”

Narrowing my eyes, I don’t like the feeling of fingers pinching the back of my neck as I walk away from her.

I’m not sure where this is coming from, but I feel like I just made a critical error.

Two nights later,I’m sitting with Liv in an incense-scented room with yoga mats and large pillows scattered across the floor.

“Sit with your back against your partner’s chest, knees bent.” The woman at the front of the room is dressed in black yoga pants and a white shirt with bell-shaped sleeves. Her brown hairhangs in one long braid down her back, and she looks like one of those gurus with all her beads and leather bracelets. “We’re going to start with acknowledging our fears.”

Liv signed us up for our first birthing class last week. She wants to test out every method, so tonight we’re trying HypnoBirthing. I’m 100 percent skeptical, but Liv makes the point we’re both athletes. She says she wouldn’t run a marathon without training, so I’m here for whatever helps her feel ready.

“Let’s talk about FTP, which stands for fear-tension-pain.” The teacher’s voice is soothing. “When you’re afraid, your body tenses. Adrenaline spikes, and you feel pain more intensely. So our first step is to face your fears ahead of time and release them. Now speak your fear to your partner.”

Liv turns her face to whisper in my ear. “I’m afraid my stomach will keep getting bigger and bigger until the baby’s the size of a watermelon, and it’s going to tear my vag to shreds on the way out.”

“Jesus!” I hiss, tightening my hands on her arms. “Could that happen?”

“I mean, look at you. It’s like a Chihuahua mated with a Great Dane.”

“Now, partners, I want you to help your partner work through these fears and find peace.”

Our eyes meet, and all I can think about is Hendrix’s crack about her having my baby. “You’re a lot bigger than a Chihuahua.”

Liv’s eyes grow rounder, and my throat goes dry. I can’t tell if she’s about to cry, and if she does… Her eyes glisten, and all at once a laugh bursts through her tight lips.

She covers her face with her hands and leans forward, her shoulders shuddering with laughter.

My eyes fly to the instructor, who’s walking slowly around the room. A high-pitched shriek comes from my expectant partner, and the woman’s eyes narrow. A few of our classmates check us out, and I reach forward, rubbing the center of Liv’s back.

She shakes her head, laughing more, and I don’t know what to do.

“Everyone responds to fear differently.” The instructor continues walking slowly through the pairs, but when she gets to us, an edge is in her tone. “Perhaps you two would like to get some water?”

Moving quickly to my feet, I catch Liv’s hands, pulling her into my arms. She’s wiping her eyes and shaking her head, but she snorts another laugh.

I make the most apologetic face possible, doing a little wave as I lead my girl into the hall. As soon as the metal door closes behind me, she collapses into my chest.

“I’m sorry!” Her voice is high, and she looks up at me. “That wasn’t funny at all!”

As she says it, she breaks into another fit of crying laughter. I have no idea what to do right now, so I say the first thing that comes to mind.

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