Page 9 of The Scars We Heal

“You put your mouth on me, and I’ll seriously punch you. My wife’s the only one who gets to do that,” he yelled back.

“Aw, but she said it was all right. Why do you deprive me of your love? And on Valentine’s Day, no less.” I pouted my lips and gave him big puppy dog eyes.

All I got in return was an eyeroll and the middle finger.

Laughing, I asked, “Where do you want these cookies?”

He pointed to an empty spot on the counter. “You can just set them there.”

“Roger.” I put the tray down then headed back out to the living room where Reid, Isa, Mikey, and Juniper were watching a basketball game. “Whatcha got on?”

“Basketball,” Isa replied. “I think it’s college. I’m not really sure what’s going on, but it seems like it’s a good game.”

Someone knocked at the door, pulling us away from the television.

“That’s Hayden and Sierra,” Ellison squealed as she jumped up from her chair to answer the door. She seemed more cheery than normal, and maybe a little nervous. She and Isa were conspiring about something. I was sure of it.

“I’ll go get some drinks for everyone.” Reid cleared his throat and made his way into the kitchen.

“How’s everyone been?” Sierra asked, to which we all gave varying responses of well.

Everyone made small talk. Hayden, Mikey and I discussing sports, and the girls talking about whatever they liked to talk about, until Reid came back to hand out mimosas to all the girls and beers for the guys.

“I’d really love to go to a Wranglers game,” I said, going back to my conversation after cracking open my can.

“Even though they’re probably going to suck as much as they did last year?” Mikey patted me on the back.

Hayden shrugged. “At least he’s loyal.”

Before Mikey could add anything else, Colter cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“So, I’m guessing you’re all wondering why we wanted to host a party today,” Ellison started to say. “And no, it’s not because we just like Valentine’s Day.”

Sierra coughed and said something that sounded a lot like, “I knew it,” under her breath, and Hayden started laughing.

What the hell is going on?

I didn’t have to wonder for long, because Colter blurted out, “We’re having a baby!”

The whole room erupted into chaos, cheers and congratulations floating around the space.

“When are you due?” Isa had launched herself at Ellison, being the first one to wrap her in a massive hug.

“End of August.”

I started counting on my fingers. “Wait, does that mean…” A laugh ripped out of my throat. “NFR baby?”

A stupid grin spread across Colter’s face as he nodded. “NFR baby.”

The conversation and congratulations continued, Isa grumbling that Reid kept it a secret from her and him in turn joking about her having a big mouth. Mikey made a joke about Colter having daddy energy, which made us all groan and roll our eyes until Colter quieted everyone down.

“Should we all toast to a happy, healthy, preg—” Colter’s toast, cupcake in hand, was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing. Concern riddled his features when he looked at the caller ID. “Sorry, baby, I need to take this.”

“Who is it?” Ellison asked.

Colter whispered in her ear, and both of them disappeared into the bedroom, leaving the rest of us shocked and unsure of what to do next.

The group of us shifted awkwardly on our feet until Juniper asked the question I was sure all of us were wondering.