Page 56 of Playboy

But are we even friends? We may be having a baby, but if her lack of interest in communicating is anything to go by, that might be the extent of our relationship. So I don’t know how to act. I don’t want to push too hard—come on too strong—and risk causing her to shut things down before I even have a chance. A chance to get her to fall, a chance to give our child a family.

Obviously, we’ll be a family whether we’re together or not, but the last thing I want for this kid is to grow up tethered to two parents who kind of hate each other the way my parents did. The way my mom hated my father, at least. My dad was indifferent to her.

So I don’t know how to act.

Which is why I’m rereading our last string of texts, wondering if enough time has passed to ask her how she’s feeling.

According to the timestamps, it’s been a whopping four hours since the last time I asked.

“You going to join the party?” Millie settles beside me on the outdoor couch at Beckett Langfield’s house and peers over my shoulder. “Who’s dream girl?”

I flip my phone over on my thigh and shoot her a glare. “Nosy much? How would you like it if I looked at your texts with Gavin?”

A laugh bursts out of her. “Wouldyouwant to look at my texts with your coach?”

A shudder rolls through me. Unfortunately I’m aware of how kinky my sister and Gavin are, so no, I absolutely want nothing to do with her phone, her texts, or any of the intricacies of her marriage.

Eyes dancing, she flicks my cheek. “That’s what I thought. So as I said, who’s dream girl? Is that Hannah? Are you guys still talking?”

I planned to tell Millie about the baby today. Later. With fewer people around.

But here we are, surrounded by almost everyone we know. Beckett’s family is here, along with all his brothers and their women. War and his family are in attendance too. Apparently Beckett is close friends with Ava. I was included because my sister is married to Gavin.

Secretly, I’d hoped Hannah would show up to the barbecue so we could casually run into each other and I could get a read on how she’ll act around our friends.

But she’s yet to show up, and I’m too in my head to ask if she’s coming.

Last week, she gave me the go-ahead to tell my family about the baby. The guys too. So she won’t be mad if I break the news. I just wish she were here for it.

I got an idea from one of the dad vlogs and ran with it, knowing the guys will get a kick out of it. Pretty sure Millie will too.

“I gotta run to my car real quick.” I pat her leg and hop up before she can continue with her questions and skirt around the guys gathered around the grill, laughing and chatting.

It takes me all of one minute to locate what I’m looking for. But then I’m staring at the T-shirts, wondering if they’ll really react the way I think they will.

“Fuck it.” I slip mine over my head and straighten it, then snatch the bag and stroll back through the gate.

Aiden is the first to spot me. Head tilted, he mouths the words emblazoned on my chest in Bolts blue. Eyes going wide, he smacks Brooks with the back of his hand. One by one, my guys notice. None of them move. Only my sister heads my way, arms pumping and her tiny legs moving faster than I’ve ever seen.

“DaddyHall?” she screeches. “That should sayDanny, right?” With far more force than she should possess, she pokes my chest.

With a grimace, I pull back and rub at the ache.

“Daniel,” she grounds out.

I can’t help but smirk. “From now on, you can all call me Daddy.”

My sister shudders and gags. “Oh god, I knew this day was coming. Who did you knock up?”

The boys have now made their way over, and from the way War is grinning, he knows precisely who the mother of my child is.

My heart takes off at a joyful pace. “My dream girl.”

Millie’s face scrunches in confusion. “Who?”

Aiden whoops, startling my twin and me at the same time. “Hannah’s pregnant?”

My sister smacks my chest. Once, twice, three times. “You knocked up my friend.” Another smack. Her little hands are surprisingly effective weapons.

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