Page 87 of Beautiful Storm

“Yes, yes. I know it’s notreal.” She whispers “real” making the rest of us laugh. “What? Someone could be listening. Disconnect, I’m going to call you back.”

Before any of us have the chance to respond, the video chat ends and then there were two.

“So, that happened?” I smile while my heart pounds in my chest, jumping when Luke’s phone starts to ring.

“One guess who that is?”

“You better answer. They were nice enough to be our witnesses.”

“Nice enough? Lainey would have murdered me in my sleep if I chose someone else.”

“It was still nice,” I sass, making Luke roll his eyes.

He answers Lainey’s call, and as they talk I stare down at my stomach, a peace settling over me. A peace I had no idea I needed until this very moment. We haven’t added my name to Luke’s insurance and yet, I’m already at ease. As though I just made the best decision of my life. For Jelly Bean.

I’m not sure how much time passes, but when I lift my gaze, Luke’s staring at me as he speaks, a similar peace reflected in his eyes. All jokes aside, I may not be able to picture Luke as a husband, but he’s going to be an amazing dad. And I have to admit, if I was destined to be pregnant, maybe I’m lucky that he was the guy.

Maybe this is all going to work out fine.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Luke

In the month following our ceremony, Amelia and I settle into a new normal—living separate but married lives—and while Amelia still thinks we’re crazy, it seems to be working. We’re not the best friends we once were, but the animosity is gone and God, it makes things easier.

As soon as we were married, I added Amelia to my insurance as planned, but due to the time it took for us to actually tie the knot—waiting for her divorce—we’d passed the twenty-week scan before it was all finalized.

Still, the second we got the all clear, I booked one of the best OB-GYNs in San Francisco, and I’m already feeling better about the pregnancy. So is Amelia. She just refuses to admit it, preferring to pretend I’m being over-the-top because she loves to sass me.

Some things never change.

I’m feeling good the day after our appointment with Dr. Kelly, and as I get changed in the locker room, I’m revved up foranother killer practice session, ready to show off more of my skills to the cameras.

Amelia smiles as she walks past but like always, she tries to hide it and the urge to call her out on it is strong. But at the same time, I kind of like having this little secret. Especially considering it’s going to blow everyone’s minds when they find out.

Luke Bennett a fucking dad. A fact no one saw coming.

I’m dragging my hoodie over my head when Keeley enters our locker room, her signature smile locked in place. And for the first time, a corny pickup line doesn’t pop into my head. Maybe I’m maturing now that I’m going to be a dad.

I smile to myself as I get back to undressing, only to be interrupted again.

“Attention!” Keeley calls out from her usual spot on the bench seat, a folder in her hands. While her shouting draws my gaze, most of the guys carry on with their conversations until Wyatt whistles through his fingers, bringing the room to silence.

“Thanks, Wyatt.” Keeley smiles. “I won’t take up too much of your time but I have a quick request. We’re now over halfway through filming, and I want to thank you all for your participation. I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell you this, but Amelia gave me a sneak peek at some of the edited clips this week, and it’s stunning. Your heads are about to explode from how big they’re going to grow. Especially you, Luke.”

I bark out a laugh while some of the guys cheer, and when we get too loud, it’s Thomas that gets our attention this time. “Anyway, with Thanksgiving coming up in a couple of weeks, the production company thought it would be good to get some footage in a more relaxed setting, and Coach Pierce has kindly offered to host an early Thanksgiving/Christmas BBQ after practice next Wednesday.”

“He’s what?” one of the guys calls out and Keeley rolls her eyes.

“You heard me. And it’s a requirement that you all attend or I’m told you’ll be on his shit list. His words, not mine.”

“More like ‘if I have to do this, you have to be there,’” I whisper to Dylan, making him smile.

“Got that right. There is no way he volunteered his home.”

Keeley shushes us again before continuing on. “You’re all welcome to bring your families. In fact, we encourage it. And we ask that you come with your smiles on and be ready to have fun. The filming will take place during the first few hours, for obvious reasons, and then you’re free to relax.”

She runs through some general house rules again, things we’ve heard a million times, but I tune her out, my attention locked on Amelia and Zane on the other side of the room. More specifically, the way he’s whispering in her ear and making her hide her smile behind her hand. My eyes narrow as I try to read his lips, but it’s useless from where I’m standing. I move to step closer when someone grabs my tee, holding me in place.

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