Page 30 of The Players Next Door

Chapter 11

Deacon

Pregnant. The word echoes in my head, bouncing around like a puck in overtime.

"Jesus, Holly." Jaxon’s words are a whisper, as if he's afraid to break whatever spell has been cast.

"Are you—" I start, but my voice cracks. Clearing my throat, I try again. "Are you sure?"

Her nod is small but certain. "I took three tests."

"Damn." That's Jaxon. Always straight to the point.

"Is it...?" I can't finish the question. Don't want to ask. But I need to know.

"Okay." That's me again. My brain's scrambling, trying to piece together a future that just got more complicated. "We'll figure this out."

"Figure what out?" Sawyer's up now, the towel dropping from his face, forgotten. "What's there to figure out?"

"Everything, man." That's Jaxon again. He steps closer to Holly. "This changes everything."

"But we're in this." Cameron moves too, flanking Holly like he's ready to protect her from the world.

"Right." I catch Holly's gaze and hold it. "We said we're all in. That hasn't changed."

"Hasn't it?" Holly's question floats over us like a feather. I feel it, light as can be, but still slicing right through me.

"Never," I say firmly. "We'll work through it. Together."

"Damn right," Jaxon adds. And just like that, the team's back together.

"We’re a team," Cameron says with a small smile. It doesn't reach his eyes, but it's something.

I step forward, the distance between Holly and me disappearing like the final seconds of a game that’s hanging in the balance. My hands are gentle as they find her face, holding it like she's the most precious trophy I've ever won. And she is.

"We're going to be dads?" The words tumble out, disbelief glazing every letter. Beside me, Cameron and Jaxon have closed in, forming a protective triangle around Holly.

She looks up at us with those big blue eyes, shimmering pools that always seem to see right through me. And now, they're filled with silent tears that spill over, carving wet tracks down her cheeks.

"Hey, no crying." I brush the tears away with my thumbs, trying to smile for her, trying to be strong. But inside, my heart is doing somersaults, and my mind races with a million thoughts about cribs and diapers and late-night feedings.

"Sorry, it's just... a lot," she whispers, her voice so small it nearly gets lost in the enormity of the moment.

"Understatement of the year," Cameron murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper, but it's enough to draw a watery laugh from Holly.

"Okay, team." Jaxon's voice is steady, certain. "Looks like we've got a new player joining the lineup."

I snort out a laugh, grateful for his unwavering confidence. "You're not alone in this, Hol. We're here, all the way."

"Every step," Cameron adds, his hand finding its place on her shoulder, grounding her.

"Every heartbeat," I promise, feeling the truth of my words deep in my soul.

“Look, I don’t expect anything. I can do this just fine on my own.”

Sawyer growls from his spot slumped on the floor. “Bullshit.”

I'm pretty sure my heart's pounding loud enough for the whole room to hear. Holly’s eyes are like oceans, deep and blue and brimming with a storm of emotions. I take her hands in mine, feeling them shake. "You're not doing this solo, Holly. Not a chance."

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