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He nods. “Okay. I'm sorry. I'll work on it.”
“Thank you.” Maddie steps so she can see us both. “Now, you two need to stop being weird when we're all together.” She's right that he's weird, but me? I didn't think I acted any differently. “We're not going to have sex in front of you, Dave. He's not going to burst into flames if you hold my hand, Winston. You're best friends. Stop all your extra thinking and be that. Stop thinking of me as the sister when you're around each other. Be best friends, okay?”
I glance to Dave, who smiles. “I always knew you were bossy,” he teases.
Maddie laughs and I add, “She calls the shots, that's for sure.”
“That's more like it,” she says.
It'll take some time for us to find a normal for all three of us, but it'll happen. Maybe Dave and Maddie will have a better relationship than before too. We're slow going, but all we're looking for right now is progress. Dave hugs Maddie one last time to officially make up for all the wrong doings. With a smile, Maddie takes my hand and says we better get going.
BO PLOPS DOWN next to me on the couch. We haven't really talked since that night we fought. He hasn't been with me to see the Lanier's but once or twice when Alice said he better show up.
“I'm sorry,” I tell him. “I was an ass and drunk.”
“I'm sorry too. You aren't selfish, or at least, not in the way I intended. You're going to be a great father, Neil. I've always known that from watching you with Alice. So yeah. Sorry for what I said.”
I nod, clearing my throat. “This mean you'll be her uncle Bo?”
Bo grins. “Someone has to teach her how a winger is better than a forward.”
I laugh. “Thanks.”
Liana is supposed to be here any day now, so you can imagine how anxious I've been. Audra seems calmer than me. She's driving me almost to insanity, though. She's ready for Liana to come, and she seems more emotional than ever. From the time I talk to Bo to the time I leave for my game, I've almost made her cry three times and each time, I said something nice! I'm beyond ready for this game tonight. It can let me escape just for a bit.
Coach builds us up for another win, reminding us of our jobs on the ice. As soon as he gives the order to get on the ice, my phone rings. The guys glance my way at the sound. It's Audra, so I answer.
“Babe? What's up? The game is about to start? Everything okay?”
“Neil,” Mrs. Garcia says. So wasn't expecting to hear her voice. “She's gone into labor. She asked me to tell you that she knows it could still be awhile, but-”
“She's crazy if she thinks I'm staying here,” I breathe.
Mrs. Garcia laughs. “That's not what I was going to say. She wants you here as soon as you can get here. She's panicking a little and said she absolutely will not have this baby until she talks to you in person.”
“Okay, I'll be there soon.” When I turn away from my locker, the entire team is staring at me. None of them have left the room yet. “I have to go. Sorry, Coach.”
He smiles. “Don't worry about us. You've led this team all season. They are strong enough to win without you here, thanks to you. Keep us updated.” Words of congrats spread through my teammates before Coach booms, “Alright, let's go! We have a game to win and Neil has to go officially become a dad.”
I grin. Baby girl is finally on her way.
ALL I CAN manage to think about is how beautiful my daughter is. Liana Grace Lawson entered the world at 7 pounds 2 ounces. Right now, she's sleeping in my arms while her momma sleeps. The nurse will probably come for her soon. My parents and the Lanier's will be stopping by in the morning and Audra's parents will be back too, I'm sure.
“There's the new dad,” Bo's quiet voice comes from the doorway. Almost the entire team is with him, as well as Lucy and Maddie.
“What are you all doing here?” I whisper.
“We came to tell you that we won, to check in on everyone, and to congratulate you,” Winston says.
“She's beautiful,” Grant tells me.
“Thanks,” I smile.
“She looks like every other baby I've ever seen,” Vincent comments.
I hear someone hit him in the stomach, and I softly laugh.
“She's so cute,” Lucy says, peering over Bo's shoulder.
