Page 85 of Playing It Forward

Being present for the birth will be more difficult than I expected. But I promised Terri I’d be there. I can’t let her go through the birth of our baby alone. It’s bad enough I’ll be absent for most of the pregnancy.

Shit. I’ll be absent for most of the pregnancy. When she’s terrified she can’t carry the baby to term. What kind of Dad am I?

I’m exactly like my dad. After I promised I wouldn’t be.

Beck taps the mini cleats. “How long before they can throw a football?”

Lamar chuckles. “After they go through about a gazillion diapers.”

Surely, he’s joking. Isn’t he? “How many diapers do babies need?”

Brock chuckles. “More than you can imagine.”

“Maybe I should sign Terri up for a diaper service. Those exist, don’t they?”

Gage’s nose wrinkles. “On Smuggler’s Hideaway?”

“And diapers are only the start,” Brock adds. “You won’t believe how far a baby’s puke can travel.”

Lamar barks out a laugh. “I remember this one time my oldest boy projectile vomited and it got in my hair. I wasn’t even in the room.”

How is Terri supposed to handle this on her own? How did Mom handle five kids on her own? I should send her a gift basket.

Lamar slaps my shoulder and my knees buckle. The center is one of the biggest players on the team. He’s supposed to protect me. Not flatten me.

“Don’t worry. The wives have a group chat. I’ll add Terri to it.”

My sprite would promptly lose her mind if she was added to a group chat with the wives of the team members. She refuses to admit we’re in a relationship – which we are. She’ll think I’m pushing her.

“No, don’t.”

His brow wrinkles. “Do you not want Terri to be part of our family?”

I blow out a breath. “It’s not that.”

Tanner skips toward us. “It’s more Terri doesn’t want to be involved with our esteemed quarterback.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And you’re not denying it. I win!”

“Allen!” Knox shouts. “My office.”

“Someone’s in trouble,” Tanner sings and I elbow him as I pass. He laughs as he falls to the ground. Drama queen.

I enter Knox’s office and shut the door behind me. “What’s up?”

He crosses his arms over his chest and leans back against his desk. “It’s true? You knocked up a local?”

I glare. “Not you, too. Her name is Terri, and she’s pregnant. Don’t disrespect her.”

He smiles. “Good answer.”

I roll my eyes. “Are you done testing me?”

He clears his throat. “Just wanted to check on the shoulder. You seemed to be in a lot of pain at the last practice.”

Because I was. But I’m not admitting it. “I’ll be fine.”