Page 107 of The Goal

“Sure.”

As Hannah and Grace join her at the table, I don’t miss the way both their gazes keep darting toward Sabrina’s stomach. She’s clearly pregnant, but not quite watermelon-big yet. Maybe a soccer ball?

Either way, that’s my daughter in there, and every time I think that, pride fills my chest. My daughter. Christ. Life is strange and unpredictable and so freaking awesome.

“How are you feeling?” Hannah is asking Sabrina. “Are you still getting morning sickness?”

“No, that stopped a couple months ago. These days I’m just tired and hungry and need to go to the bathroom every other minute. Oh, and it’s getting harder and harder to see my feet. Which is probably a good thing because I think they’re swollen to twice their size.”

“Aw, that sucks,” Grace says sympathetically. “But at least you get an adorable, chubby-cheeked miracle for all your pain and suffering. That’s adecent tradeoff, right?”

“Ha!” Sabrina grins. “How about I call you at three in the morning when my chubby-cheeked miracle is screaming her lungs out andthenyou can tell me if it’s a decent tradeoff.”

Hannah snickers. “She’s got you there, Gracie.”

I hand Sabrina a glass of water and then lean against the counter, smiling as the girls continue to joke about all the “wonderful” things Sabrina and I can look forward to—no sleep, diaper changes, colic, teething.

Truthfully, none of that scares me. If you don’t have to work hard for something, then how can it ever truly be rewarding?

Footsteps approach the kitchen. Garrett wanders in, wiping sweat off his brow. When he notices Sabrina, he brightens. “Oh good. You’re here. Hold on—gotta grab something.”

She turns to me as if to say,Is he talking to me?

He’s already gone, though, his footsteps thumping up the stairs.

At the table, Hannah runs a hand through her hair and gives me a pleading look. “Just remember he’s your best friend, okay?”

Thatdoesn’t sound ominous.

When Garrett returns, he’s holding a notepad and a ballpoint pen, which he sets on the table as he sits across from Sabrina. “Tuck,” he says. “Sit. This is important.”

I’m so baffled right now. Hannah’s resigned expression doesn’t help in lessening the confusion.

Once I’m seated next to Sabrina, Garrett flips open the notepad, all business. “Okay. So let’s go over the names.”

Sabrina raises an eyebrow at me.

I shrug, because I legitimately don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about.

“I’ve put together a solid list. I really think you’re going to like these.” But when he glances down at the page, his face falls. “Ah crap. We can’t use any of the boy names.”

“Wait.” Sabrina holds up a hand, her brow furrowed. “You’re picking names for our baby?”

He nods, busy flipping the page.

My baby mama gapes at me.

I shrug again.

“Just out of curiosity, what were the boy names?” Grace hedges, clearly fighting a smile.

He cheers up again. “Well, the top contender was Garrett.”

I snicker so loud, I’m surprised Sabrina’s water glass doesn't rattle. “Uh-huh,” I say, playing along. “And what was the runner-up?”

“Graham.”

Hannah sighs.

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