Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Sounds like another trip to the park is in our future, right, Coral?” Reid asks his three-month-old daughter.
“Now, leave us.” Rowan waves her hand in the air. “We have to finish planning.”
“I’m starving,” Landry whines.
“Perfect, you can handle getting food for us, and by the time whatever you decide arrives, we’ll be done here.” Corie gives her brother a cheesy grin.
“I’m on it.” Landry moves to stand behind the couch and leans over to kiss Rowan. Reid and Knox, unwilling to be left out, do the same to their wives, and they leave us to our own party planning.
“How long has it been since Natasha’s seen Cam?” Amanda asks.
“This was her week, and she missed her last week, so a month,” Corie says, ticking the weeks off by lifting a finger for each week.
“Damn,” Amanda mutters. “I could never not see my kid for that long.”
“I have nothing nice to say,” Bellamy says, her tone not hiding her anger.
“I understand that maybe motherhood isn’t for everyone,” Rowan says, “but why keep coming in and out of his life. Just sign away your rights. Let Baker and Camden adjust to her being out of the picture, instead of this constant yo-yo she does to them. She calls the day she’s supposed to get him, not giving Baker any kind of notice. Of course, he doesn’t mind, but if she doesn’t want him, she needs just to stop altogether.” Rowan sighs, as if saying the words hurt her soul.
“He’s the sweetest little boy,” I say, my heart hurting for Camden, and Baker, too. I agree with Rowan. They need a resolution. Natasha needs to step up or step away. This limbo they’re living in isn’t healthy.
“Okay, we have to change the subject, or my anger is going to keep rising,” Corie says. “I hate the way she’s treating both of them.” She scowls, resting her hand over her still-flat belly. I’m certain my best friend is thinking about her unborn baby and the thought of never seeing them.
I agree that not all women are meant for motherhood, but what Natasha is doing isn’t fair to Baker and Camden. I wish more than anything that she would pull her head out of her ass and be the mother that Camden needs. But if she can’t or doesn’t want to, that’s okay, too, but let them go so they can move on with their life and get off this back-and-forth juggle train they seem to be on.
“Jerseys,” I say, trying to get the conversation back on track.
“I’ve got that handled. I think I have everyone’s sizes, and I’ll have Tom send a sample.” Corie stands and rushes down the hall to grab her laptop.
“Food?” Rowan asks.
“I say we keep it simple. We’ll order some pizza and breadsticks; Cam loves it, and this is his day, after all.” I suggest.
“We all love it,” Amanda says, laughing.
“You won’t see me turning down pizza. Carbs be damned.”
“And the guys will enjoy a cheat day. Sure, it’s right before training camp, but they can have one day, right?”
“Knox is the stickler on that more so than the others, but I can guarantee that man will gladly consume pizza for Cam.” Bellamy laughs.
“Okay, why don’t we add salad, too. That will make us all feel less guilty for the carb overload.”
Rowan points at me. “I like the way you think.”
Bellamy agrees to handle the salad, Rowan is taking care of the pizza order, Corie has the jerseys under control, Amanda offers to decorate, and I… well, I offered to take care of the cake for Baker. I have so many ideas, and I can’t wait to see them come alive.
By the time Landry calls out that the food is here, the party is planned, and we’re all excited to celebrate Camden. He’s the sweetest little boy, and it’s an honor to be a part of his life like this. His mother might not want to be a part of his world, but he has five ladies who love him and want to make his day extra special.
“Training camp is going to kill us,” Knox groans, sitting back in his chair. “We should have grilled some chicken,” he says, looking at the now-empty Chinese container in front of him.
“Live a little, babe,” Corie teases.
“It’s worth it,” Reid says, shoving the last bite of egg roll into his mouth. Coral, who’s sitting on Foster’s lap, watches her daddy’s every move.
“Daddy’s going to be slow as fu—fudge, Coral,” Foster tells the baby. She just coos up at him, which has Foster smiling down at her.
“When can I have a turn?” Landry whines.
“You had her most of the time at the park,” Foster points out.
“That’s because my man Cam was on the move,” Landry says, grabbing Rowan’s leftover egg roll and shoving it into his mouth.