Page 63 of Draft Pick

"Yeah, I know," Darby grumbled. "I swear to God, if Cason hurts you again, I will pay someone to take his knees out."

"Darby!" I admonished, laughing. "Don't say that. Someone might overhear you and then you'll have the entire Wolverine booster club putting a hex on your gene pool."

"That's true. Those people are nuts," Darby agreed with a grin, but her smile faded as she admitted, "I mean, I get why you invited him, but I already designated myself as the baby's number one Auntie, and I'm prepared to take that role seriously. I thought I'd be the one going to those breathing classes with you, doing baby yoga or some shit. And I definitely saw myself with you for that ultrasound."

I sighed, meeting her eyes. "I know, and I love you for that, but he's... he's the father, Darby. He has a right to be there."

Darby took a long sip of her drink, her expression softening as she set it down. "No, I get it, but I'm just worried, you know? He bailed once. What if he does it again?"

I would never worry if I was gone and my baby only had Darby on her side. Darby would chew through anyone who dared to hurt my kid, and I loved her for it. "I'm worried, too, but he seems different now. More responsible. And I can't just keep him out of this. It wouldn't be fair to him or the baby."

She reached over, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Okay, I'll back down. But I swear, Starlie, if he hurts you again, I'll... I don't know, do something drastic."

I smiled, grateful for her unwavering support. "I know you will. And that's why you're still going to be the best Auntie, regardless of what happens with Cason."

"You promise?"

"Pinky swear," I said, lifting my pinky for her to hook with her own. "Besides, who will I count on to teach my kid all the bad habits I'll have to pretend I don't know who taught them?"

"Damn straight and I will take that job so seriously, you have no idea."

I absently rubbed my belly, and Darby eyed me critically. "So… what's it like being preggers?"

"Honestly? Kinda miserable," I admitted. "My back already hurts, my ankles swell at the end of the day, and when I feel the ugliest I've ever felt in my life, suddenly, I'm also the horniest. It's not fair."

"Sounds awful," Darby said. "Why do you feel ugly, though? I think you're beautiful."

I gave her an indulgent smile. "You always say that."

"Because it's always true. Your skin is absolutely perfect and now you have this glowy thing going on that makes you look like a freshly dewed peach. Honestly, you're rocking the whole pregnant look thing."

"You're so full of crap, Darby," I laughed. "That dew is called sweat. That's all I seem to do nowadays. Sweat like a whore in church and fart like a lactose intolerant wart hog. Real attractive. Also, I think I've started growing a beard."

"Let me see," Darby said, intrigued, peering at my chin. "Oh, yeah, I see a few chinny-chin-chin hairs. Cute."

"Cute? Are you insane? That's not cute, it's gross."

Darby shrugged, leaning back on her elbows. "What's a few chin hairs when you're growing another human? Seems like a small price to pay."

I hadn't thought of it that way. "Maybe you're right," I said, chuckling. "I'll make sure to mention it if Cason happens to notice."

Darby sobered. "Seriously though, you shouldn't feel ugly because you're not and it hurts my soul to hear you talk about yourself like that."

Tears pricked my eyes. I could grow a full beard, and Darby would compliment how full and bushy it was. Everyone needed a friend like Darby in their life. "I'm afraid to let Cason see me naked," I admitted in a small voice, feeling vulnerable just saying it out loud. "What if he looks at my pregnant body and then runs to the bathroom to barf?"

"Then you call me and it's kneecappin' time because he better look at you and fall to his knees for the gift you're giving him. Nothing else is acceptable. Do you hear me?Nothing. Stretch marks? Everything delicious has marks. Big luscious boobies? I don't see a problem. What I do see is a literal goddess with all her curves blessing a mere mortal with her magical body."

"You wouldn't think I was all that magical if you were downwind. I barely made it home after that mint and chip ice cream. Thankfully, I'd taken an enzyme before leaving the apartment, just in case."

"You really need to stop eating dairy," Darby quipped. "And carry Gas-X in your purse."

"Not a terrible idea," I said, making a mental note.

"Since Cason seems like he might be sticking around…you thinking of going to a game?" Darby asked.

I made a face. "I still hate football. Not sure if I'm ready for that just yet."

"You might want to start figuring out the difference between a snap and a tackle if you're going to go the distance with a professional football player."

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