Page 40 of Learn the Play
“He’s always welcome,” Corie coos, kissing his cheek. “It’s not Baker’s week to have him, but his mom had another photo shoot overseas or something.” Corie rolls her eyes. “And the nanny is visiting family this weekend, so I offered to keep him.”
“We fought her on it,” Rowan says.
“She won,” Sloane adds. “But that’s okay, because now we’re all here, and we can share him.” She takes Camden from Corie and kisses all over his tiny little face, making him giggle.
“We need some more ladies around this place,” Corie tells us. “Even the little men are taking over. Come sit. What can I get you to drink?” she asks.
“I’m okay for now,” I tell her.
“Amanda?” she asks.
“Maybe in a little while.” She smiles politely.
Neither one of us knows what we’re getting ourselves into, but I admit their friendliness and excitement to see us helps lessen some of my anxiety.
“Okay, so we’re going to give you a recap,” Sloane says. She points at her chest. “I’m the bestie, hers first, and then this one came along.” She points to Rowan. “I’m unattached. Rowan works for the Rampage and is married to Landry, Corie’s brother. Corie is married to Knox and also works for theRampage. And this little man belongs to Daddy Sin.” She coos to Camden.
“How’d that go over? Marrying your brother’s best friend?” Amanda asks.
“Better than you would expect. We hid it for a long time. But when Landry found out, he was more hurt that we didn’t tell him than anything.”
“And you both work with your husbands?” I ask.
“We do.” Rowan smiles. “It’s an adventure, to say the least.”
“What about you?” I ask Sloane. “What do you do?”
“I’m a teacher.” She grins. “I get to spend my days shaping little minds.”
“What grade?” Amanda asks.
“Right now, I’m at the preschool level. I’m licensed through fifth, but I love my littles.” She smiles, hugging Camden to her chest.
“What about the two of you?” Corie asks.
“I’m the operations manager for Riggins Enterprises. It’s a logistics company based here in Nashville,” I explain.
“She works with the hottie Riggins brothers all day,” Amanda teases.
I can’t help but laugh. “They are easy on the eyes, but they’re all happily married, and no other women exist in the world but their wives.” It’s not an exaggeration. All five of those brothers are obsessed with their wives. Oftentimes, I wonder what having that kind of love would feel like. I ignore the voice in my head telling me that I might be missing out on my only chance to find out, and focus back on the conversation.
“So what you’re telling us is that Reid doesn’t have any competition where the brothers are concerned,” Sloane teases.
“Nope,” Amanda says, answering for me.
“What do you do?” Rowan asks her.
“I’m the talent coordinator for the Country Fiddle downtown. I book all the bands.”
“You win,” Sloane says, bouncing Camden on her knee. “Your job is the most fun.”
“I don’t know.” Rowan smirks. “Sneaking away at work with your husband has its benefits.” She wags her eyebrows, and we all crack up laughing.
We spend the next hour laughing and talking. We all have our turn loving on baby Camden, and I admit, hearing his laughter is enough to put anyone in a better mood. When Corie’s stomach growls, we order pizza for delivery. Everyone offers to pitch in, but Corie insists that it’s her treat, and we can all take a turn next time. My eyes find Amanda’s, and she nods. These ladies, the people that Reid Montgomery surrounds himself with, are good. Not just because Corie is buying dinner, but they’re just kindhearted, laid back, and easy to be around.
They’re not at all what I expected.
Thirty minutes later, the doorbell is ringing, which has Corie jumping off the couch to go collect our food. Amanda goes to help her, and I follow Sloane and Rowan into the kitchen to set up. Rowan starts getting the high chair ready, and I smile because, despite this not being his home, the baby stuff scattered around makes you think Camden is here full-time. As soon as Corie sets the boxes on the counter, Sloane lifts the lid and groans. It takes a few seconds, but as soon as the smell hits me, my stomach rolls.
