Page 7 of Catching Feelings

?CHAPTER TWO

ROWAN

“He’s beautiful.” Riley hands me her baby and I cradle him to my chest. “You guys. I can’t believe you have a baby boy.”

I rub my nose against his soft cheek and breathe in the newborn smell. I get my share of babies at work, but I never get to cuddle and inhale their innocence like this.

“He’s perfect, isn’t he?” Walker asks, leaning over my shoulder. “Just like his mama.”

My heart melts. “He is. Have you picked a name?”

Riley smiles up at Walker first, then looks at me. “Emmitt Walker Bankes. After Walker’s favorite running back, Emmitt Smith.”

“I thought you got final say if it was a boy and Walker picked if it was a girl.”

“I did.”

Gush goes my heart. My eyes tear up and I cradle baby Emmitt closer to my chest.

“How was the labor and delivery?” I walk around the hospital room, unable to take my eyes off the pink-faced little bundle in my arms.

“I mean, I’ve had less painful days, but Walker was amazing, supporting me the entire time.”

“Give credit where credit is due.” Walker sits at the edge of the bed and strokes Riley’s face. “You did all the hard work. All I did was—”

“Blow your load and make Riley grow a human for nine months and push it out—” Miles steps through the door and makes a motion with his hands in front of his crotch.

“The hell, man.” Walker shakes his head and punches Miles in the arm. “Have some class.”

“I’m a model for class. Brought you flowers, gorgeous.” He kisses Riley on her forehead, and when he turns, he notices me for the first time. “Oh, hey, Rowan. I didn’t see you there. Sorry about that.”

“You apologize to Rowan, but not my wife, who you offended? Not that you shouldn’t apologize to her as well for being a neanderthal.”

I curl my bottom lip between my teeth to hide my laughter. I’ve witnessed firsthand how much Miles enjoys teasing his teammates as soon as they fall in love. First with Walker and Riley, then with Nash and Kendall. Whichever of his teammates who falls next is sure to get an extra dose of his teasing.

Even when he’s crude, he doesn’t come off as disrespectful. It’s something only Miles can pull off.

“So this is the next NFL star, huh?” Miles comes over to my side and leans against the windowsill. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Riles. But is it a boy or a girl? Kinda hard to tell with all those forehead wrinkles and the bald head.” He lifts up the white cap on Emmitt’s head.

“Meet Emmitt Walker Bankes, our son,” Walker says with pride.

“Emmitt Smith. One of the greatest running backs of all time. Right after you, of course, Bankes.”

“You’re gonna have to kiss my ass a lot better than that to get me to forgive you.”

“Aw, you forgive me, Spank Bank? I’m touched. Wanna kiss and make up?”

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