Page 120 of The Way We Score

She’s wearing Charlie’s jersey, modified to cover her pregnant belly. She’s even bigger than I am, which somehow fills me with a sense of relief.

“Just look at us,” she laughs. “You’re adorable. I look like I’m having twins.”

Garrett left for New York on Tuesday, but I stayed behind and finished up some work. I called Mom to let her know what was going on, and no surprise, Cousin Gwen was perfectly able to take care of herself.

She returned home Tuesday soon after Garrett left for the airport, so while I missed him being in bed with me, I wasn’t alone.

Mom burst into tears as soon as she saw me. I’ve gotten big since she left, and we spent pretty much all of Tuesday nightand Wednesday watching for Gigi to move and discussing all my fears.

I had to fuss at her for not being here to talk me through all my first-time pregnancy fears. Truthfully, I wasn’t angry at all. She was only ever a phone call away, and it meant I was forced to be honest with Garrett about how I was feeling, which I think drew us even closer.

Which I also think was her plan all along.

Not to mention, if she’d been here, Garrett and I would never have been able to have sex all over the house at the drop of a hat. Or a coffee cup.

Logan was able to get me on his father’s private jet service from the small airport outside Newhope to Teterboro this morning. It was the first time I’d ever flown on a private jet, and I felt like a true celebrity—or like aWAG, the girlfriend of a famous football player.

I wasn’t able to have any complimentary champagne, but I did have a warm, chocolate-chip cookie. Even better, it was lovely to be so pregnant and to be able to walk straight out to the small plane and have it to myself. The flight attendants were sweet, the plane was cozy, and I slept the whole way.

Touching down, my emotions caught me off-guard. We’ve only been apart a few days, but when I saw Garrett waiting on the tarmac, so tall in his dark jeans and light brown bomber jacket, hair ruffling in the breeze. Need twisted in my chest, and I couldn’t get down the short flight of stairs fast enough.

He met me at the bottom, pulling me into the tightest hug. “I missed you so much, Cherry.” His warm breath at my temple sent chills down my back.

We only had time to drop me at his apartment before he had to be at the stadium for the game, but I expect we’ll make up for lost time tonight if all goes well.

I packed the cotton jersey I’ve been sleeping in, but he was two steps ahead of me. A brand-new navy and red Number 50jersey was lying on the bed when I got to the apartment. It was even altered to allow room for baby.

Garrett’s driver Fred helped me into the SUV and drove me here. He even walked me all the way to the elevator leading up to Charlie’s box.

A blast of camera flashes and yelling reporters shocked me when we arrived, but Fred had me covered. Now we’re here, ready for the game, and I’m so happy to see Maddy again.

“You’re adorable,” I argue. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m a whale.” She groans, waving her hand. “They say you get bigger with every pregnancy, but this is too much. My body will never be the same again.”

My cheeks heat, and I’m embarrassed to say, “I literally had the same conversation with Garrett a few weeks ago. We had our first HypnoBirthing class, and I was supposed to say my worst fear… I completely lost it. We had to leave the class!”

“Wait.” She holds up her hand. “Two things, first, HypnoBirthing? Second, you were kicked out of class?”

“The instructor suggested I might need to drink some water.”

“What did you do?”

I cover my face with my hands. “I guess I’d been sort-of, I don’t know, letting my feelings build up, and when I told Garrett my fears about tearing, I lost control and couldn’t stop laughing. Only it was more like shrieking, crying, laughing.”

“That is so valid.” Maddy’s eyes are wide. “I was terrified of tearing and episiotomies and all of it my first time.”

Reaching out, I grip her forearm. “What did you do?”

“I had a little tear.” Her upper lip curls. “My doctor worked with me during my delivery, but it still happened.”

“It did?” I can’t help a cringe.

“Yeah, but she stitched it right up, and it healed pretty fast.” She shakes her head. “I promise, it’s really not as bad as it sounds.”

“Okay…” Chewing my lip I turn to look down at the guys onthe field, thinking how great it is to have someone my age to talk to about this. How I feel way less embarrassed by my fears.

Charlie isn’t as big as Garrett, but he’s still probably six-foot-two, two hundred pounds. “How big was Paxton when he was born?”

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