Page 80 of Falling Stars

The happiness in her eyes is unmistakable. “I would love to be your little spoon.”

“Come here, peach.” She turns and pushes that ass into me, and I quietly groan. If I wasn’t in so much pain, I’d fuck her again. Instead, I wrap my arm around her and shove my nose into her hair.

She lets out a quiet sigh as she relaxes.

The CBD oil helps, but when Leo wakes at two in the morning, my whole body is stiff. It takes me a minute to roll over and get up. I can’t even lean over to pick up his basket, so I brace myself against the wall and squat to reach him. Once I lift it, I use the wall as a guide to reach the kitchen. I grab a bottle out of the fridge Baylee prepared before bed, then cart Leo to his nursery, where I put the bottle in the warmer and then change his diaper.

“Hey, buddy. Are you hungry?”

His brows scrunch up. “Ba.” His face goes red, then he lets out a string of sounds.

I hold up his meal. “Can you say ‘bottle?’”

“Ba. Da. Bu. Ba.”

“Bro, I think you’re trying to say it. Good job, little man.”

Now that I’ve been on my feet, I’m not so wobbly, so I don’t have any trouble picking him up and carrying him to the rocker. I get him comfy in the nook of my arm, cover him with a blanket, and hold up the bottle.

As he drinks, he makes hungry sounds, and I smile. “I feel like you’ve grown in the short time I’ve been home. Tomorrow, we’ll get you in that bouncy seat and work on your vertical. Not that you have to play football, but sports are really good for your coordination. For building camaraderie. For teamwork. For escaping shitty fathers who scare the crap out of you.”

I frown as I stare down at Leo’s innocent face.

Was that what I was trying to do by playing football? Escape? I know Gus blamed me for my mom leaving. I can’t imagine putting that kind of shit on a kid.

“Love you, bud. You’re a good son.” That’s something Gus never told me. Not once. I aim to tell Leo every chance I get. I smile at his adorable face. “Your mama adores you, and so do I.” I run a finger through his light hair and wonder if it will get dark like Baylee’s or if he’ll look like his father. “You might not be a Walker by blood, but you got me and lots of Walker uncles who’ll be looking out for you as you get older.”

I can’t shake the feeling that Leo should’ve been mine. That I screwed up so royally, I sent Baylee into the arms of another man.

With that lingering in the back of my mind, I finish feeding him, burp him, and rock him until he knocks out. Then I carry him back out to the living room and tuck him into his basket.

I hate that thing. I mean, he looks comfortable, but this kid deserves the best, and I hate that Baylee had to scrimp and save just to cover the basics.

When I get into bed, Baylee mumbles, “Is Leo up? Let me get his bottle.”

I pull her to me and kiss her forehead. “He’s all set. Go to sleep.” She curls up against my chest, and even though the pressure against my shoulder hurts, I can’t bring myself to move her. I love the feel of her too much. The warmth of her body and her soft hair and peachy scent.

That’s how I know she’s the one. Because the moment we’re done being intimate, I need her in my arms.

The next morning, I wake up still sore and stiff, but the throbbing has let up a little. I find Baylee scurrying around the living room, but there’s something weird about her gait.

“Babe.”

“Good morning.” Smiling, she leans down to kiss me. “Thank you for feeding Leo last night. That’s the best sleep I’ve gotten since he was born.”

My poor girl. “I got that late shift covered.” She gingerly sits next to me, and I frown. “Are you feeling okay?”

Her cheeks flush and she lets out a laugh. “Just a little sore, but I’ll be fine.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I should’ve been more gentle.”The woman just had a baby, asshole.

“I’m good. I swear.”

I reach up to tangle my fingers in her hair, tightening my jaw at the way my shoulder contracts. “I’ve got the PT appointment, so I can’t do lunch today. Why don’t you order food for you and the girls. My treat.”

She shakes her head. “You’ve done enough for me, but thank you.”

“Come on. There’s some money in my wallet.”

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