Page 13 of The Player I Can’t Pick

She puts my thoughts into words. “Guy, this is crazy. We just met.”

I grunt. “When I get back into town, we’re going on a date.”

She doesn’t answer. Fuck.

“Anyway, I need you to do me a favor. Ignore the posts and the comments. They’re trolls looking for attention. Don’t give it to them.”

She inhales slowly. “I know what I look like, Guy.”

I grunt, thinking about every one of her curves. “Right, so you know you’re sexy and⁠—”

She cuts me off. “Like I was saying, I know what I look like, and I’m happy with who I am. I get that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I don’t let strangers online decide my self-worth.”

“Fuck yeah. You know that’s right.”

She laughs softly. “Seriously, aren’t you supposed to be on a plane?”

I look through the windows at my family in the waiting room. “As I was about to board, Miller texted me that my sister was in labor. I’m at the hospital.” For a second, I consider asking Nicole to come here and meet everyone, but I know that would really freak her out.

“Oh wow,” she says. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I should probably get back inside, but I needed to talk to you about the pictures. Ignore all of it. I’m going to call you when I get back into town, and we’re going on a real date.”

She’s quiet, and the pause bothers me. “Nicole?”

She answers quickly this time. “Go be with your family and don’t worry about me. I can handle people online. I’m fine.”

Something about her response makes me uneasy, but I’m not sure what else to say. “Okay. I’m still going to call you.”

“Okay. Enjoy your new niece or nephew.”

“Good night, Nicole.”

Her voice softens. “Good night, Guy.”

I reluctantly hang up and walk back inside. I ignore my family’s questions and sit down. A little while later, Miller stands so fast his chair scrapes against the floor.

Zach is walking down the hallway, and everyone freezes.

He takes off the scrub cap he’s wearing and smiles. “She’s here. Both mom and the baby are doing well.”

The room erupts.

Bree and Lindsey start crying. Mom and Dad are both in tears. Logan hugs Miller hard enough to make him grunt, and Ozzy pulls Zach into a hug. Zach looks at my parents. “Mom, Dad, she wants you first.”

He leads them down the hallway, and the rest of us wait impatiently for our turn.

When they finally call me back, I’m nervous as hell. I walk into the room, hug my sister, and then Zach makes me sanitize my hands twice before he lets me hold my niece. I stare down at her. “She’s perfect.”

Skyler looks tired but happy. Zach stands close, watching me like he thinks I might drop his daughter.

I rise from the chair and move closer to the bed. “She’s going to be a heartbreaker.”

“She’s not dating until she’s twenty,” Zach announces.

Skyler rolls her eyes, and I laugh. My brother-in-law has been a mess since the day he found out Skyler was pregnant. I thought he might relax once the baby arrived, but apparently not.

I spend a few more minutes with them before leaving so the rest of the family can have a turn.