Page 52 of Beautiful Storm

On day five of what I’m calling the post-baby-news haze, I arrive at the locker rooms to find a text from Amelia and my heart seizes. Without bothering to take off my gear, I check the message and burst out laughing.

Amelia: I caught the end of practice today. Are you taking enough vitamins? You’re getting older. You need to keep on top of it if you want to maintain your peak performance

The fucking sass on this woman.

Luke: I’m a natural, Joy. It’s all about a balanced diet and the right exercise program. Those rookies have nothing on me

Amelia: God, you’re full of it

I smile as I throw my phone back into my bag, but just like always, the weird feeling returns and my happiness fades. I have no clue what I’m doing. But doing nothing doesn’t sit right. I hate the unknown, and right now, nothing is certain.

Shaking off my thoughts, I remove my shoulder pads, just as Reed sits down on the chair in front of me.

“You’ve been off all week, and I was voted the guy who should talk to you.”

“What?” I scoff. “I haven’t been off. My game is on point. I’m killing it out there.”

“Not out there.” He points in the direction of the field. “I mean in here.” He waves his hands around the room. “You’re usually chatty, and loud, and goddamn annoying, but at the moment…”

“A friend of mine just found out his girlfriend is pregnant,” I tell him, and it feels good to get it off my chest. Sort of. “He’s freaking out because she’s got shitty insurance while his is amazing. And he doesn’t know what to do.”

“Mm-hmm. And that has you worried, why?” He eyes me suspiciously.

I let out a long sigh. “Okay. Fine. The guy isn’t a friend. He’s my brother.”Jesus. My eyes widen.Why the hell did I say that?

Reed curses under his breath. “Wow, okay. That makes more sense.”

“He’s kind of panicking which is making me panic.”

Reed nods, his protector mode switching gears while I picture him punching me when he finds out the truth.

“I know he’s young,” he says thoughtfully. “Just a rookie this year…” I nod though he’s not really watching me. “But.” Hepauses and I lean in. Has he thought of something I missed? “Why doesn’t he marry her? If they’re together and having a b—”

“The fuck did you say?”

“Jesus. Not everyone wants to be a bachelor all their lives. You said it was his girlfriend. I’m assuming he’s not about to leave her because she’s knocked up. To me, it’s the obvious answer.”

“He’s too young.”

“He’s having a baby. That tends to make someone grow up pretty fucking quickly.”

Nope. Not happening.

“Luke—”

“Just how long have you been planning your wedding to Bria?” I cut him off and cringe, instantly regretting my words.

Reed’s fists clench as he glares my way. It takes a lot to rattle Mr. Positive. But we all know never to mention his feelings toward his best friend, Bria. I shouldn’t have said it. “Don’t be a dick,” he fumes. “Pass on my advice or don’t. Whatever.”

“I’m sorry,” I say genuinely. I seem to be saying it a lot. “I’m not thinking straight because I’m worried about her.”The baby.

“Her?”Jesus.

“Yeah.”Fuck. “Ryan’s girlfriend.”

Reed eyes me for the longest beat before nodding. “I get it. I knew there was a caring soul under that tough exterior.” He smiles and I relax. “But sometimes you need to think before you speak.”

“Noted.” A thousand times over. “Are we good?” I ask, just in case. Best I don’t fuck up any relationships in my time of need.

---