Page 75 of Learn the Play
“Bellamy, I’d like for you to meet Cliff. My boyfriend,” Candice adds. She’s smiling, but I can see the apprehension in her eyes. “I realize this might not be the best time to introduce the two of you, but he makes me happy, and I wanted you to meet him.”
I’m holding my breath, waiting to see how she handles this meeting. When a bright smile curves her lips, I exhale. “It’sso nice to meet you, Cliff. I’ve heard nothing about you.” She laughs. “But I know that if you’re here, you’re important to my mom.” She turns her gaze to her mom. “How long have the two of you been seeing each other?” There’s no anger in her tone, just pure curiosity.
“A few months,” Candice replies. “I didn’t want to tell you in case it fizzled out, but he’s still hanging around,” she says, smiling at Cliff, before turning back to Bellamy. “Amanda convinced me you’d be okay with him being here.”
“I can go if it makes you uncomfortable,” Cliff adds. “We drove separately just in case.”
“What? No, of course not. Stay, please,” Bellamy tells him. Cliff slides his arm around Candice’s waist, and she leans into him, which only makes my girl smile wider.
“Did you want something when you called me over here?” Candice asks her daughter.
“Oh, um—Reid asked if I wanted Dad to be here. I was going to ask you how you felt about that, but we don’t have to.”
“Bellamy, he’s your father. He gave me the greatest gift in this life: you. Of course, you should invite him.”
“Are you sure? I mean, it’s last-minute, so I’m sure he’s got work to do, or something.”
“You won’t know unless you try.” Candice gives her a pointed look.
“Like he did,” Bellamy whispers, and Candice nods. Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, she looks up at me. “Will you call him?”
“Sure, Dream Girl. Anything you want.” I kiss her temple and drop my arm from around her waist. “I’ll be right back.” Stepping into the hallway just off the living room, I hit Coach’s number and wait for him to answer.
“Montgomery.”
“Hey, Will,” I greet him, and he growls. I’m not talking to my coach right now. I’m talking to my girl’s dad. “What are you doing right now?”
“Going over plays.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Well, I know it’s short notice, but the girls are throwing Bellamy a surprise baby shower. We just got here, so the fun hasn’t started, but she said I could call you and pass on the invitation.”
He’s quiet for a very long time. “She said that?” he asks.
“She did. No gifts are necessary, but this is your chance. This is her olive branch. Are you going to take it?”
“Where are you?”
“Landry’s place. I’ll text you the address.”
“I have a gift,” he tells me, which shocks me.
“Not necessary,” I tell him again.
“I’ll be there. I’m leaving now.”
“Sounds good,” I say, ending the call and slipping my phone back into my pocket. When I step back into the living room, I find all the ladies gathered around Bellamy. Corie has her hand resting on her belly, and they’re all smiling.
A hand lands on my shoulder, and I look over to see Knox. “A lot has changed for us recently,” he says, nodding to the group of women.
“Yeah,” I agree.
“Gotta admit, I’m a little jealous,” he tells me.
I turn to look at him. “Of what?”
“I’m ready for us to start our family.”
“You trying?”
