Page 79 of The Way We Score

Having this week’s game on Sunday is perfect timing for me. Liv wants to talk to her mom this week, so it gives me plenty of time to be there, spend some time with her and not miss my obligations here.

I’m pushing my luck by missing a practice and training session during game week, but I’ve got one foot out the door as it is.

“Who told you that?” My brow lowers, and I can’t help worrying who all knows my business.

The tabloids can be brutal. I saw what they did when Logan and Dylan started dating, and I don’t want them breaking a story before Liv’s had a chance to talk to her mom. My only hope is I’ve fallen off their radar.

“I’m team captain, Grizz. Coach told me what you’re considering. They wanted my input.”

“I’m not considering it. They are. I’ve made my decision.”

His brow lowers and he catches my arm, stopping me. “What’s going on, bro?”

My jaw clenches, and I look straight intohis eyes. “We haven’t told the fam, and I don’t want anyone knowing until they know. Maybe not even then.”

“You’re making me nervous. Are you sick?”

“Liv’s pregnant.” I look down, doing my best to keep it quiet as our teammates jog past, pushing and rough-housing and touching our good luck pirate at the entrance to the stadium.

“Hold up.” Johnson pulls me away from the large opening leading out to the sidelines, away from the crowd, to where we have a bit more privacy. “Is this for real? You’re going to be a dad?”

It’s the first time anyone’s said it to me out loud, and a sense of pride explodes in my chest.

A smile breaks across my face, and I can’t help a laugh. “Fuck yeah, I am.”

“That’s a big deal—congrats.” We high five, doing our touchdown hand jive, and he’s smiling now, too. “Liv’s the pretty redhead who was here in your jersey? Your high school sweetheart.”

“My baby mama.” Damn it feels good to say it out loud.

“But you don’t have to leave the team to have a baby. We need you here.”

“Liv needs me, and I don’t want to miss this.”

“So bring her here.” His earnest plea hits me where it hurts.

Charlie, Logan, and I played together the longest on the Pirates, and I imagine he’s feeling the way I did when Logan left—kind of lost, lonely… It’s hard to lose your crew.

“Sorry man, I would if I could, but she doesn’t want to move here. She has her mom and her career, and I want to be with her.” I know he sees my expression change.

I can’t help it, it’s the truth.

“Are you getting married?”

Dropping my chin, I think about this question.If I had my way… “We’ve got some ground to cover before we get to that point. High school was a long time ago, and I’ve got to show her who I am now.”

“Well, if you need a character reference, you got one right here.”

“Thanks, man.”

We can hear the announcers, and we look to where the rest of our teammates have all entered the field.

“We’ve got to get in there.” He slaps my shoulder, and we jog to catch up with everybody.

The noise is deafening when we emerge onto the sidelines, and I remember when I was part of the hype. It’s pretty addictive.

Although, to be real, nothing is as addictive as Liv’s pretty smile or the sound of our baby’s strong and steady heartbeat. It’s what I want.

The music plays loudly, and the crowd chants as the dancers do their thing. The other guys slap helmets and generally get each other ready, but my heart’s not here anymore.

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