Page 174 of Beautiful Storm

“As if you don’t know what I mean. I wasn’t kidding when I said people would go crazy for a picture of you with a baby. Hell, I’m going crazy over it.”

I laugh as I reach out, letting Amelia shift Juliet gently into my arms. And my heart jolts just like it always does. I’ll never get used to this father and husband business—caring for someone or two someones more than I care for anything else in the world, including myself and football. And that’s saying something because I have always highly regarded both of those things.

“If I’d known how many women I could get by having a baby, I would have done it years ago. Judging by your expression, I’ll bet Juliet gets me ten times more attention than Shadow does.” I maintain my straight face as a thought hits me. “Holy hell. Imagine if I went for a walk with JulietandShadow.”

“Ovaries exploding everywhere.”

“Hell yeah. But it's too bad for them.” I shift Juliet into one arm and reach out to clasp Amelia’s hand. “I’m already spoken for. And I have no plans of that changing anytime soon.”

“Good.” Amelia lifts her lips in a half smile. “Because I have no plans to let you go.” She makes a show of letting go of my hand, laughing at how funny she is as she grabs the book she was reading. Some romance novel that she tells me will emotionally destroy her before she gets to the end. God knows why she finds that entertaining, but it is what it is. She offers me the book and smiles. “If you could just hold this in your free hand while I grab my phone, that would be greatly appreciated. I’m currently jobless, and I could make a killing selling that photo to the media. It’s the trifecta. A tough football player, with a baby, reading a romance novel. It’s the stuff dreams are made of. Or fantasies.”

“Still as annoying as ever, I see.”

“It’s why you love me.” She laughs.

“I’d love you no matter what,” I say and I mean it. “But like I said in the hospital, I also never want you to change.”

Amelia smiles before stepping forward to hug me, but I push her back. “Uh-uh. You have a photo to take. You never know when we might need the extra cash.”

She rolls her eyes before she bursts out laughing like it’s some big joke. But of course she takes the photo. And then her face drops and I know what’s coming.

“Any news?”

Thomas and I have been waiting on edge for Jefferson to announce he’s selling the team, but he’s still keeping quiet about it. My guess is he’ll wait until our season’s over, but it’s goddamn annoying to keep this secret from my teammates. With a new owner comes a level of uncertainty, and despite us being favorites to win the Super Bowl, who knows what’s going to happen. Coach is amazing, but he’s burned a lot of bridges to get here. And I know our GM has a few enemies of his own. The last thing I want is for us to be the top team this year and then become the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

“Nothing yet,” I tell Amelia. “And I can’t ask because I’m still keeping my mouth shut until it’s all officially announced, and at this stage that’s likely to be after the Super Bowl.”Which we fucking made.

“Which you are going to win.”

“Yeah we are.” I laugh. "And it's going to be that much sweeter knowing that you're there. In my jersey."

Amelia was reluctant to come at first, and I've got to admit I felt the same. But when Thomas, Dylan and I we're able to secure a private suite for our families, she jumped at the chance to come, knowing that Juliet would be kept away from the masses.

“Ugh." Amelia blows out a breath and I wait for her to sass me. "I wasn't going to wear your jersey but I guess I can. If it’s that important to you.”

She bites back a grin as she walks past, swaying her hips, and I drop the book to the table, reaching for her hand before pulling her into me. “I cannot wait for the day I can fuck you again. That jersey is going to see every surface of this house.”

She visibly swallows before licking her lips, her eyes hooded until she snaps out of it and pouts as she walks away. “You’re a tease. I hate you.”

“No, you don’t,” I call out after her. “You love me.”

She flips me her middle finger before disappearing, and I chuckle as my heart races. God, I love her.

Later that night, I’m making myself comfortable in bed when Amelia shushes me, having finally gotten Juliet to settle. After checking on her again, Amelia tiptoes over and lies down, a soft sigh leaving her lips as she rests her head on my lap.

“You’re not sleepy?” she asks, gazing up at me with a pinched brow, concern marring her features.

“Not yet. I’m just going to read for a bit.” I show her my book—So You’re A Girl Dad?—and she bursts out laughing before covering her face with her hands. “What’s so funny? I need to get ahead of this. Before long she’s going to be bringing her male best friend home, and we’re going to think it’s cute but find out years later that they’ve been in love the whole time and now she’s pregnant with his baby.”

“Wow.”

“Yep.”

“And when exactly did you fall in love with me? Because I only fell for you a few months ago,” she sasses, making me stare at her deadpan.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“You broke my heart.”

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