Page 23 of Verdict

“Ha. Ha. Very funny. So why are you in Austin?” I grabbed a beer for myself.

“Farrah’s riding horses with my sisters, then they’re all going to lunch. Plus, I wanted to catch the game tomorrow. Watch you suck ass live and in color.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You sure you don’t want to stick around and work out with us too? That retirement weight’s starting to settle in, old man.”

Walker punched me square in the shoulder.

Fuck, that hurt.

I rubbed it, already sure it would leave a mark.

“You and I both know I still look good and could clock ninety-nine in my sleep, you dickhead.”

“You started it.” I took a pull from my beer.

He grinned. “I know. What’s even better is I know you won’t do anything about it since you got my little sister pregnant.”

I rolled my eyes damn near into the back of my head. “I thought we were past this, James.”

He chuckled as he made his way to my couch, turning on SportsCenter. “I’m just messing with you.” He leaned back, eyes on the TV. “In all seriousness, Jordan—you’ve impressed the hell out of me. My sister’s lucky she has you. You’ve really shown up.”

I hadn't realized how much I'd needed to hear those words from him. His approval hit me harder than I expected. There was a time when I worried I'd fucked up our friendship beyond repair. After a lot of time spent groveling and keeping my word that I’d take care of his sister, we slowly repaired our friendship. I was damn grateful for that.

Sometimes I wondered if that was my hang-up. The reason I stayed away from the women I usually spent time with. As if I couldn’t juggle showing up for Ava and maintaining my previous lifestyle.

“Aww, that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me, buddy.” I joined him on the couch and squeezed his shoulder affectionately, trying to pull him into another hug. He twisted out of my grip and shrugged me off.

“You’re an annoying little shit, you know that?” he grumbled.

I grinned—and he sucker-punched me again.

Motherfucker, he’s strong.

“Listen. I’m not sorry for how I reacted when I found out, because that hurt, man. But… I really appreciate you keeping your word and looking out for her. Looking out for them.”

I glanced down at my beer, spinning the bottle between my fingers. “Yeah, man. I’m sorry I went behind your back. But I can’t say I’m sorry for what happened.” I tipped my head toward the hallway. “Because the best thing that’s ever happened to me is asleep in that room.”

The moment Ellie came into this world. The second she was placed in my arms, I knew it. I felt it in my bones. This all-consuming, overwhelming emotion that this was my purpose, she was my purpose. I’d never been more terrified in my life, and somehow I’d never felt more certain either.

Walker nodded once. “I know the feeling.”

I knew Walker was referring to Hadley—Farrah’s daughter, now his stepdaughter. He and Farrah had been high school sweethearts, but they’d broken up after college when he was drafted to the Aviators. She’d wanted a life of her own, one that didn’t revolve around baseball, and it had wrecked him when she walked away. Nine years later, after Farrah had married another man, had a kid, and gotten a divorce, they’d found their way back to each other in Primrose Hill while Walker was rehabbing his elbow from a pitching injury.

I’d never seen my best friend happier.

“And then I told your daddy, don’t you dare touch her—she’s off limits,” Walker cooed as he booped Ellie’s nose. “And did he listen? No. No, he didn't. But that's okay because now I have you, my sweet angel baby." He snuggled his face into her neck, making her smile. "Uncle Walk loves you!" He kissed her forehead.

I shook my head at my ridiculous friend and finished washing the bottle I’d just fed Ellie with. Ava had been gone for about four hours, and I’d already gotten about fifteen texts. I assumed she only took a break when she was literally riding a horse.

As I set the bottle down on the drying rack, I glanced over at Walker, who was still smothering my daughter. "So. When are you and Farrah going to start popping out some kids?"

Walker froze. Eyes wide. Way too guilty.

I tilted my head, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"

He shook his head nervously. "Nope. No. Nothing wrong."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then why did you just get all twitchy?" It took a moment for it to register. "Dude! Is Farrah pregnant?!"