Page 71 of Playing It Forward

Better to stick to being friends. We can co-parent without being a couple. Other people do it all the time.

I ignore how my stomach protests at the thought. It’s the way it has to be.

Chapter 23

I should not be thinking about diapers during football practice.

Nolan

“Good practice,” Gage says as we walk off the field.

He pats me on the shoulder and I try not to wince. My shoulder is on fire after today’s training and practice. I need ice and another appointment with the physical therapist as soon as possible.

I also need to check on Terri and make sure she’s doing okay. She didn’t throw up this morning – she says – but I need to check to make sure. She hates admitting when she’s weak. I’ll message her once I’m back in the locker room.

Tanner puffs out his chest. “I made him look good.”

“Does Alaia know you dance like a chicken without legs every time you catch a ball?”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Alaia thinks I’m sexy when I dance.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I thought your relationship was fake.”

“Fake or not, at least I’m not in a ‘friendship situation’ with the woman I want.” He points to Gage.

Gage shrugs off his comment. “Addy wants me. But she’s scared of a relationship. I’ll change her mind.”

Sounds familiar.

Tanner points to Brock. “Someone else is scared of a relationship.”

“I’m not scared,” Brock says, but everyone knows he’s lying.

I don’t blame him for being cautious. The way the mother of Jace left him had to create scars. Terri carries similar scars. Except hers are from her mom leaving her. Her scars run deep. I don’t blame her for being cautious with me. But it won’t stop me from caring for her and our child.

Corbin grunts. “You’re throwing behind me again.”

Tanner rolls his eyes. “You can’t blame Nolan for catching a pass awkwardly.”

Except he can since my shoulder is causing me to throw too high.

“I’ll work on it,” I say instead of admitting my injury is acting up.

I was supposed to be healed by now. The injury happened in January. It’s nearly August. But I don’t feel as if my injury is healing at all. My shoulder still burns with every pass I throw. Is it not going to get better? And what the hell am I going to do if it doesn’t? I’m not missing the season and a possible trip to the Super Bowl because of an injury.

I switch those thoughts off. My shoulder will get better. I will lead this team to the Super Bowl this season.

“Ignore him,” Tanner says. “He’s grumpy because he’s pining after his landlady.”

Corbin growls at Tanner. “We are not discussing Siena.”

Tanner bats his eyelashes. “It’s okay, Corbin. We’ve all been rejected before. I mean. I haven’t. But everyone else has.” He points at me. “Ask Nolan. Terri couldn’t run away from him fast enough when he hit on her our first night on Smuggler’s Hideaway.”

He has no idea what happened between me and Terri that night. How we accidentally created our little mermaid in a closet. I frown. I don’t want our child to think she’s a mistake. She’s not an accident. She’s the best damn thing to happen to me. Her and her mom are.

Tanner throws an arm around my shoulders. “It’s okay, big guy. We’ll find you another woman. Alaia has lots of friends.”

I elbow him away. “I don’t want any of Alaia’s friends.” I want Terri.