Page 4 of Catching Feelings

“Will do.”

Rowan heaves a backpack over her shoulder and heads out of the tent. I follow on her heels. “You sticking around?”

“I’m going to see if Riley needs any help before grabbing some lunch from one of the food trucks.”

A bunch of us chipped in to pay for the food trucks, and a handful of players who aren’t away on vacation signed up to do whatever Riley needed us to do today. Our downtime between seasons is long, and I’m itching for preseason in two months.

I spot Bankes and know Riley must not be too far away. “There she is.” I point across the park.

“The turnout is amazing,” Rowan says to Riley when we reach them, hugging her as best she can.

“Damn. You look like you’re gonna pop any second.” I make a show of trying to wrap my arms around Riley, avoiding her massive belly. “What’s your husband doing letting you run around like a mad woman? He should be taking better care of you. Say the word, Riles, and I’ll step in and be your man.”

“Fuck off, Buck. And good luck gettingmy wifeto do anything she doesn’t want to do. And for fuck’s sake, put on a shirt.” Bankes puts an arm around Riley’s shoulder and draws her into his side. Such a caveman.

Not that I can blame him. I’d want my pregnant wife off her feet too. An image of Rowan, swollen with my baby—who no doubt would be a beast—pops into my head. It kinda freaks me out, and kinda doesn’t at the same time. Which freaks me out even more.

“You’ve been on your feet since six this morning. You really should take it easy,” Rowan says.

“Blah, blah, blah.” Riley waves her hand through the air. “I’ll have plenty of time to sit once the baby is born. From what I’ve read, I’ll be nursing twenty hours a day anyway. I need to stay busy or I’ll die of boredom waiting for this little nugget to be born.” She rubs her belly and beams up at her husband.

They’re a cute couple. Rocky start, but they’re solid, and I respect the shit out of both of them. Not that I’d tell them that to their face. I have an image to protect, and being serious isn’t part of the package.

“I’m heading to the trucks for lunch. Want to join me?” Rowan asks.

“Menotus? And here I thought I was having a lunch date with you.” I hunch my shoulders forward in a pout.

“Maybe youshouldput a shirt on first,” Riley says. “You’re getting an awful lot of stares from the girls.”

“Shirt on or off, I can’t help it.”

“Miles got a little scratch and I stitched him up.”

“Little scratch? You got up close and intimate with my insides, Row. I’d say we’re bonded for life now.”

“While you two figure out if Buck needs an amputation or a brain replacement, I’m doing one more walk-thru with my wife, then taking her home to rest.”

“I said I’d go home if everything is running smoothly. And we’re coming back tonight to help clean up.”

“It’s smooth, baby.” Bankes kisses her temple, takes her hand, and leads her away.

“They’re going to be the best parents, and that baby’s going to be so spoiled.”

“I’m sure you’ll be the favorite aunt.”

Rowan’s smile is like a lightning bolt to my heart, giving it a surge of explosion before it settles again. Fuck. I like being on the receiving end of her bolt way too much.

“Let’s grab some grub.”

“Maybe a shirt first? You are drawing a lot of attention.”

I haven’t paid attention to anyone but Rowan, but I glance around and see I am the object of a few stares, and plenty of phones point my way. Not that I mind. If my NFL career ever falls flat, I’m not above starting an OnlyFans page.

My hands get me money now, but my abs and ass could bring in a nice penny or two.

“If you’re afraid your drool will get all over my food, I guess I’ll cover up. I wouldn’t mind getting out of these wet shorts either.” Granted, now that Rowan’s hands aren’t on me, I’m a little cold down there. Not turtling cold, but my wet shorts aren’t the most comfortable. “I’ve got a change of clothes in my truck.”

“I can meet you—”

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