Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
And right now, that feels like enough.
30
Oliver
As soon as practice ends, I shower and grab my phone from my locker to check where Rina is.
Did I turn on her share location without asking?
Yes, I did. And she’ll probably give me hell when she figures it out. But that doesn’t matter, I’m more than happy to take the hit.
From everything I’ve read about pregnancy, smaller meals throughout the day are best, and I want to make sure she and Little O are covered.
Hmm. She’s not in the building.
Looks like she’s at Lakeshore Sweets, which isn’t a surprise. Rina enjoys hanging out with her friends, and honestly, I love that she’s got a tight circle of women who make her laugh and close ranks around her when she needs it. Still, that means I need to make a pit stop before our team meeting.
I tug on a pair of jeans, pull a hoodie over my head, and snag my black Railers cap from the shelf above my locker.
“Yo, Van Doren,” Knox calls as I stride toward the exit. “Where you going? There’s a meeting in thirty.”
I shoot him a look and roll my eyes. “Don’t get your panties in a twist, Ma. I’ll be back in plenty of time.”
He snorts. “Better be. If you’re late, Steele’s gonna string you up by your—”
“By what?” Jax cuts in with a grin.
“Christ,” River mutters. “Can we not?”
I flip them all off without breaking stride and shove through the door.
The truth is, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. Only that I can’t sit through another meeting pretending everything’s business as usual when Rina’s out there, possibly skipping meals or not feeling great and needing me.
Outside, the air is crisp enough to sting my lungs. Once I reach Lakeshore Sweets, I slow my pace outside the window and scan the bakery until my gaze finds her gathered around a back table with her friends.
She’s holding a mug between her hands as steam curls upward in delicate ribbons. Her cheeks are rosier than usual, and her whole face looks lighter than it has in days. The sight of her happiness means everything. For a guy who’s spent years splashed across Railers Rumors, chasing whatever thrill landed in front of him, her smile in the warm glow of a bakery is the only thing that feels real.
Or matters.
It’s not just her, though. It’s this world she’s part of. Their laughter and the genuine bond they have with one another. I’ve lived most of my life in locker rooms and arenas, surrounded by noise and adrenaline.
Watching her feels like peace.
Like home.
When I push inside the door, a few heads swivel in my direction.
“Hi, Oliver,” Callie says, beaming. “Rina told us the good news. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” A smile tugs at my lips. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Rina narrows her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
I stride toward the table, stopping near her chair. “Just thought I’d grab a coffee before the team meeting and then walk you back to the arena.”
She tilts her head. “How did you know where I was?”
“Lucky guess.”
She gives me a look. It’s the one that says she’s silently piecing it all together. “You didn’t by chance turn on my location share, did you?”
Lilah coughs into her hand to hide a laugh. “Looks like the Railers all use the same playbook.”
I shrug, unapologetic. “Maybe. But it seems important to know where my kid is at all times.”
Rina’s brows shoot up. “Rest assured, he or she will be with me for the foreseeable future.”
I squat in front of her until we’re eye level. “Then it makes sense I should always know where you are, doesn’t it?”
“Oliver…” Her tone is gentle even as her eyes remain watchful. “That’s a little over the top. One might even say borderline stalkerish.”
For a second, I almost tell her the truth. That when it comes to her, I am a little unhinged. But somehow, I doubt that would land well.
“Can’t blame a new father-to-be for being protective over the mother of his child, can you?”
“It’s entirely possible I might swoon,” Lilah says. “FYI, I’m totally loving this side of you.”
“Yeah, Big O,” Sloane teases, laughter brimming in her voice. “We totally approve.”
My focus remains locked on Rina. “The only opinion that matters is that of the woman I’m staring at right now.”
“Okay, now I’m really swooning.” Callie sighs dramatically. “Want your coffee to go?”
“Yup, that’d be great. Thanks.” I never once break eye contact with Rina. “Ready to go, babe?”
Her exhale is one of long-suffering resignation. “Do I even have a choice in the matter?”
“Nope.”
“Then I suppose I’m ready.”
I straighten and offer her my hand. Not that she needs my help, but I’ll take any excuse to touch her.
At the register, Callie slides two cups across the counter. “One coffee and one herbal tea.”