Page 52 of Learn the Play
Resting my head back on his chest, I breathe him in. “Reid?”
“Yeah, Dream Girl?” he answers.
“I’m glad it was you that night. I’m glad I sat next to you at the hotel bar.”
“It was always meant to be me, baby.”
“You really believe that, don’t you?” I pull back, smoothing out his shirt.
“I do. The universe knew I was ready for my dream girl, and this little one”—he places his hand on my belly—“was a nice little bonus.”
I open my mouth to say the words, to tell him what he means to me, but I can’t seem to form them, and then the doorbell rings, saving me from myself. Hand in hand, we make our way to the door, and Reid pulls it open. His parents greet us withwarm smiles. They bypass Reid and head straight for me, first his mom, then his dad, as they hug me.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I say, once they’ve moved on to hug their son.
“Honey, you have no idea. I’ve waited years for Reid to finally settle down with a good woman.”
“Mom, you make it sound like I’m at retirement or something,” Reid teases.
“Oh, hush.” She waves her hand in the air as the doorbell rings again.
“Go make yourselves at home while we get the door.” Reid takes his hand in mine again as we greet my mom.
“Hey, Mom.” I smile at her. She still lives here in Nashville, so I see her more frequently than Reid sees his parents, who still live in Atlanta. However, Reid seems to think that once they find out about the baby, they’re going to finally make the move to Nashville to be closer.
“Mom, this is Reid, my—” I freeze because what do I call him? My boyfriend? My baby daddy? My one-night stand turned live-in orgasm provider? I’m freaking out and being ridiculous.
“Boyfriend,” Reid finishes, saving me as he leans in to kiss my mom’s cheek. “It’s nice to meet you, Candice. Come on in.” He steps back, allowing Mom to enter.
I link my arm through my mom’s and lead her into the living room.
“Mom, Dad, this is Candice, Bellamy’s mom. Candice, these are my parents, Sam and Paula.”
Our parents exchange pleasantries, and I take a deep breath. Everyone is smiling. Now, just to give them the rest of our news, and then we’re on the home stretch.
“I hope you’re hungry. We ordered from a local diner,” Reid tells everyone. “Bell wanted to cook, but I told her to take a break and just enjoy the time with everyone.”
“Aww,” my mom and Paula both coo.
“Son, we raised you right,” Sam tells him. “Always take care of her, and she’ll take care of you.”
Reid’s eyes find mine, and he winks. We make our plates and settle in the dining room. I was careful to order food that hadn’t yet set off my morning sickness, and thankfully, I’m able to eat and make it through the meal without an episode.
“Who wants dessert?” Reid asks.
“I couldn’t eat another bite,” my mom tells him.
“Why don’t we catch up and then have dessert?” his mom, Paula, suggests.
In the living room, Reid and I take the loveseat, his parents are on the couch, and my mom is in one of the two recliners. Right away, they jump into chatting about everything, from football to Nashville to the weather.
“Son, how’s the team looking this season?” his dad asks.
“Good. We’re ready,” Reid tells him. He glances at me, looking to see if I’m ready, and I give him a subtle nod. Reaching over, he takes my hand, laces our fingers together, and rests our joined hands on my thigh.
“How long have the two of you been seeing each other?” Sam asks.
“A few months,” Reid answers.
