Page 66 of Unexpected Forever
“You sign your contract today?”
“No.”
He turns his head and I feel the weight of his stare on me. “What do you mean? I thought it was a done deal.”
“It is. Mostly.”
“So, what’s the problem? We need you leading the team, Nate. Hollister’s doing great this year, but the man’s ready to retire.”
I blow out a breath, guilt weighing on my chest. “I know.”
“But you didn’t sign?”
I cross my arms over my chest and slouch back against the bench, letting out a long sigh. “There’s a new development making me hesitate.”
“I’m listening.”
I drop my head for a moment before meeting his gaze. “I’m going to be a father.”
His brown eyes bug out of his head. “Say what?”
“I’m going to—”
He holds up a hand. “I heard what you said. I just can’t believe it.” He stares out at the field. “Holy shit. How did that happen?”
“Raines, I’m not giving you a birds and bees lesson.”
“Fuck you, man. I know that lesson inside out.”
With his girl in every port reputation, I know he isn’t lying.
He continues. “I mean, after the stunt that one girl pulled a few years back, it’s unexpected coming from you.”
I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, I know.”
“So…who is she? Do you like this woman? Are you sure it’s yours?”
I cut my eyes to him and my spine stiffens at the last question, but I keep my temper at bay because I know he’s not wrong in asking.
“Her name’s Charley, yes, I like her, and I’m sure it’s mine.”
“What’s so different about her?”
I look out to the field, thinking about Charley. We’re getting to know each other slowly, but surely. “For starters, she’s not a cleat chaser. She treats me like I’m just a regular guy. She’s smart, funny, sassy as hell.”
The grin I’ve seen make women swoon spreads across his face. “Aw, shit. Youdolike this girl. As in like her, like her.”
“What the hell does that mean? Of course, I like her. What are we, in junior high?”
“Man, you didn’t once say anything about what she looks like.”
I pause. I hadn’t, had I? Shit.
“So, what does she look like?”
I pull out my phone and flip to a picture Megan sent me. She’d sent several photos of the party, but this was the only one with Charley in it.
It’s a full body shot of her in that hot as fuck dress I peeled her out of, and she’s looking at the photographer with a smile. It’s a sexy, mysterious smile. The one that turns me inside out.
