Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
BLAKE
“Why did I think this was a good idea?” Savannah mutters as I hold the door open for Levi to get out.
“Is Gage here yet?”
“I think so, buddy. Go and look for him.”
Levi doesn’t need to be told twice before he runs toward the house, Daniel at his heels. I walk around the car to find Savannah tugging at the hem of her dress.
“What’s wrong?”
“This stupid dress. I look like a whale.” Savannah mutters as she once again pulls the stretchy material down. “I should go back ho?—”
“Stop this,” I mutter as my hand lands on her hip before she can slip back into the car. I pull her to me, my finger slipping under her chin and tilting her head back. “You look sexy as hell, Blondie.”
Leaning down, I press my mouth against hers in a long kiss.
I wasn’t even joking. My dick got so hard when I saw her coming down the stairs in that dress, it was embarrassing. The soft wool material hugged her every curve, accentuating her bump. Savannah was always gorgeous, but there was something extra sexy and almost primal about seeing her pregnant with my baby like this. I couldn’t get enough of her.
“You should go inside.” She starts to turn around. “I’ll just drive back home for a few minutes?—”
Closing the door, I pull her toward me, her back to my chest as my hand slides to her huge belly. And if it’s to be believed by the way her lips part and her cheeks turn a rosy color, she doesn’t miss the massive bulge inside my pants that’s pressing into her ass.
“Does this seem like I don’t find you sexy?” I brush a lock of hair behind her ear and spin her to face me. “Because if you need more reassurance, we could go hide in the barn or something, and I could show you just what I think of that dress.” I wiggle my brows suggestively.
She presses her palm against my chest and pushes me back. Or at least she tries to. “You’re crazy, you do realize that?”
“Crazy about you, most likely.” Leaning down, I press my lips against the hollow of her neck.
Savannah sucks in a sharp breath, her fingers digging into my shirt at the gentle touch. She’s been extra sensitive lately, and I couldn’t help myself but tease her every chance I got. I loved seeing her react to the smallest of touches.
“B-Blake, we shouldn’t?—”
“Yo, you two coming inside, or do you plan to play nookie out there the whole day?” Miguel yells loudly.
Groaning, I press my forehead against her shoulder and inhale deeply, letting her sweet scent fill my lungs.
Savannah chuckles, her hand rubbing over my back. “You sound like you’re being tortured.”
“That’s because I am.” I straighten to my full height. “One day, Blondie. One day it’ll be just you and me, and nobody will stop me from doing some very dirty things to you.”
She sinks her teeth into her lower lip, and there is no mistaking the effect my words have on her.
The corner of my mouth tilts upward as I intertwine my fingers with hers and pull her toward the house. “C’mon, let’s go inside.”
“And here I thought you’d ditch us.” Miguel smirks knowingly when we climb onto the porch. Jackson is leaning against his chest, his big eyes taking everything in as he sucks on his pacifier.
“Don’t tempt me.” I lift my free hand and brush my finger over the tiny hand. “Hey there, little guy.”
“Look how cute he is,” Savannah coos, her voice turning soft. “He’s growing way too fast.”
I glance down at her, giving her hand a squeeze. “You’re not going to start crying, are you?”
“Of course not,” she protests, but there is no missing the loud sniff.
Shaking my head, I wrap my arm around her. “I know you, Blondie, you’re one big softy.”
“Am not. It’s these damn hormones.” She brushes at her cheeks. “And he’s adorable. Just look at him. I can’t believe that in a month, we’ll have one of our own.”
“One month,” I murmur softly, rubbing my thumb over the back of her hand.
Savannah shifts her gaze to me, happiness and excitement radiating off of her. God, I loved to see her like this. Loved that I was the one who put that expression on her face. I loved her, and every day I was falling in love with her a little bit more.
“C’mon, you two; let’s go inside. I don’t need to see you tear your clothes off each other.”
Savannah’s cheeks turn red in embarrassment.
“You’re imagining things.” Chuckling, I place my hand against Savannah’s back and steer her toward the door. “Where’s your better half?”
“Becky is out there in the kitchen, helping around and keeping an eye on her mom.”
“Her mom’s here?”
A cacophony of voices is coming from the house as we step inside. The Fernandezes were a lively bunch, and they opened the door of their home to their workers and friends for the holidays.
“Yeah, she’s been having a good day, so we decided to bring her over. I think being around Jackson calms her a little bit. I was actually just bringing him down from his nap when I saw you guys outside. Can’t have you traumatizing the little kids.”
I shove him back. “You’re an asshole, Fernandez.”
Miguel laughs at my remark when a loud whistle pierces the air. “Well, hello there.”
The hair at the back of my neck prickles at the sound of the familiar voice. I turn to glare at Miguel. “You invited them?”
Miguel rolls his eyes. “They invited themselves, per usual.”
Three tall figures fill the doorway.
“Don’t act so happy to see us, Walker.” Franco smirks.
Big J nods. “It’s hard to believe, but he got even grumpier in his old age.”
“I’ll give you old age. I can still wipe the floor with both of you.”
“Only in your dreams.” Big J shifts his gaze to Savannah, a grin spreading over his lips. “And who do we have here? If I realized small towns hide so many pretty ladies, I’d have come here sooner. I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I’m James, but people call me Big J.”
He winks at her as he extends his hand toward Savannah. The corner of her mouth tips in amusement as she slips her free hand into his. “Is there a reason for that?”
“’Cause I’m big.” Big J wiggles his brows at her, still not letting go. “ All over. ”
Fucker.
“Get your dirty paws off my girl, Callahan,” I growl as I pull Savannah back, my arms wrapping around her.
Shocked expressions flash on my teammates’ faces. Maybe if I weren’t so annoyed, I would have actually been able to enjoy it.
“That’s the hot teacher?” Big J asks, his jaw on the floor.
“Walker has a girl?” Luke Stone, one of the linebackers for the Lonestars, asks. “Since when?”
“You need to keep better track of what’s going on, Stone.” Franco shakes his head and whistles softly. “Damn, dude, you work fast. A girl and a kid?”
“Yes, Blondie’s my girl.” I give them a pointed look. “The mother of my child, so I better not see you trying to flirt with her.”
Savannah rolls her eyes. “He’s joking.”
“No fucking way.”
“Dad! You said a bad word,” Levi yells from the living room, where I can see him playing with Gage.
“Yeah, Dad.” Savannah smirks at me, mischief playing in her irises. “You should be careful how you’re talking because there are little ears all around us.”
There was something about the way she called me dad that sent a shiver running down my spine.
Leaning down, I press my mouth against her earlobe. “There will be nobody around later on, Blondie, so I’ll get to talk to you as dirty as I want.”
Color blooms on her cheeks as she bites at her lip, trying to keep a straight face. “I’m going to find Becky and leave you boys to catch up.”
“Wanna take Jackson with you?” Miguel offers.
“Sure thing. C’mere little dude.”
I watch as he switches the little guy from his arms to Savannah’s. Her face softens as she cradles the baby to her chest and whispers something to him, her lips brushing against the top of his head.
“How did that conversation with Coach go?” Luke asks just as Savannah turns around, his question making me freeze for a moment. “Did you guys meet up?”
Savannah smooths her hand over Jackson’s back, peeking up, a curious look on her face.
“Umm, yeah. He just wanted to catch up while I was in the city.”
“Really? He made such a fuss about it.”
Big J laughs. “You know Coach, he’s one big drama queen.”
Savannah rolls her eyes. “Let’s go, Jackson. Let the boys talk about more important stuff, like football.”
“Is she trolling us?” Big J asks as we watch her leave. “Damn, she has a nice ass.”
“She sure is.” I slap him over the head. “And eyes up.”
My teammate smirks. “You’re so jealous.”
“Damn right.”
“Blake Walker. Dad.” Big J shakes his head as he takes a pull from his beer. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
“He already has kids; you do realize that, right?” Miguel points out.
“I’m referring to his old age, asshole.” He shoots me a smug smile. “You sure you’re ready for it, Walker?”
“I’m ready. You laugh at me all you want, Callahan. If I were you, I’d be worried about myself. Pushing thirty, man. By the time you have kids, you’ll be a grandpa.”
Big J chokes, his eyes going wide at my words. “Oh, hell no. I’m not having kids. Like ever. See all this?” He points at his body. “It’s too good to settle for only one woman.”
“You’re a pig, J,” Luke mutters, his gaze locked on the screen where the game’s playing out. The guy’s been sticking to water the whole night, and his eyes were sharp as he was observing every move they made since the Lonestars will be playing against them in a couple of weeks.
“An honest pig.”
I guess nobody could fault him for that.
Savannah’s laughter comes from outside, drawing my attention toward the window.
Once everybody gathered, we all sat down for lunch that Mrs. Fernandez prepared. I swear that woman’s cooking was from another planet. It was that good. I ate so much I don’t know how the hell I managed to get out of my chair. I’ll need to put in some serious workouts if I plan to get rid of all the extra calories.
“You’re so smitten.”
I don’t even try to deny it as I push to my feet. “You’ll see one day; you just wait.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
Chuckling, I leave the room and go to the car before I walk around the house and to the back porch.
Eyes the color of the sky meet mine, and a smile spreads over her face as she shifts in her chair.
“You didn’t check your sugar.”
She glances at her watch, her mouth falling open. “Shit, I totally forgot.” Savannah pushes from the chair. “I’ll just go and grab?—”
I wrap one arm around her and slide into her seat, pulling her into my lap.
“I’ve gotcha, Blondie.”
“Is that your emergency kit?”
The corner of my mouth lifts as I open the bag and prepare the glucose meter. “Sure is. I told you it’d come in handy.”
Taking her hand in mine, I go through the motions of testing her blood sugar.
“Is she okay?” Becky asks as she joins us.
“ She is sitting right here, you know?” Savannah gives her a pointed look.
“But he has the monitor. You’re feeling fine, though?”
“If by fine, you mean completely stuffed, then sure, I’m fine.”
My brows pull together when the reading appears on the screen. “It’s 168.”
“That’s not too bad.” I quirk my brow, which has her rolling her eyes. “What? It’s not. It’s Thanksgiving, and Mrs. Fernandez made such amazing food I could barely contain myself.”
“I know.” I brush a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I just don’t want to see you get sick again.”
Just the thought of something happening to Savannah made me paralyzed with fear.
“I’ll drink more water, and if I don’t feel well, I’ll let you know.”
“Here you go,” Becky says, immediately handing her the bottle, which Savannah takes without protest.
“You need to take care of yourself and your little one, young lady,” Mrs. Fernandez chimes in, her gaze landing on me. “Let that strong man of yours take care of you.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling her, Mrs. F.”
“You should listen to him.”
“Hear that, Blondie?” I wiggle my brows at her. “You should listen to me.”
Savannah elbows me playfully. “In your dreams.”
I tighten my hold on her as I lean in to whisper into her ear. “Oh, baby, in my dreams, you’re always a good girl for me, doing exactly what I tell you.”
She glares at me, her cheeks pink. The women exchange amused expressions before they change the topic to nursery and baby stuff.
The fire crackles in the pit, the sound of kids’ laughter echoing in the late night as they play.
At some point, the guys join us outside, dissecting the game before switching to planning their strategy for their next opponent.
Savannah’s eyes close for a moment before she blinks them away, trying to stay up. I tighten my arms around her and pull her into me, my lips pressing against the side of her neck. “Ready to go home?”
“Yeah, I’m beat. Let me just go to the bathroom real quick.”
Levi’s head snaps up. “We’re leaving?”
“In a little bit, buddy.” I help Savannah get to her feet, my palm rubbing at her lower back. “Take your time.”
She shoots me a grateful smile as she walks toward the house while Levi joins me.
“Sav is moving like a penguin,” Levi whispers, making me choke on laughter. Not that he was wrong.
“A cute penguin.”
Levi nods. “She’s walking funny, though.”
“I know, buddy, but don’t tell her that. We don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
Levi nods, making a zipping motion over his mouth. I spot Daniel and wave him over, and after a few minutes, Savannah comes out of the house.
Saying goodbye to people, we start toward the car. Levi slides in next to Savannah, and she rests her hand against his back, rubbing at his shoulders as she listens to him chat away about some game they were playing.
The moment we slip into the truck, I place my hand over hers, my thumb rubbing over the back of her hand.
This.
This was what I’ve always wanted.
What my soul has craved.
And it’s all connected to the woman sitting next to me.
I’ve never felt this content, this at peace sitting with anybody else.
The drive home doesn’t last too long. Walking around the truck, I help Savannah out, but instead of going to my house, she starts walking away.
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her to me. “Where do you think you are going, Blondie?”
“I just need to grab a few things. I’ll come back quickly.”
“I don’t mind sharing,” I call out after her.
She rolls those pretty blue eyes at me, fighting back a smile. “It’ll just be a few minutes.”
“You’re having another sleepover at our place?” Levi asks, clearly excited about the prospect.
“Yes, buddy. Savannah will have a sleepover at our house. She’s just going to grab a few things first.”
We’ll seriously need to talk about the elephant in the room. I didn’t want her going back and forth, not when we’ve been spending most of the time together. Especially not after the baby was born. Mine or hers, I didn’t care which house we settled on, but we’d be moving in together. And soon.
“I wanna help.”
Before I get to stop him, Levi runs after her. Cursing silently, I turn toward Daniel, who’s already at the front porch, and toss him the key. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Sounds good.”
Spinning on my heels, I rush after the two daredevils.
“Do you wanna sleep in my bed tonight?” Levi asks as they climb the steps to Savannah’s porch. “That would be so much fun.”
“I don’t think we’d both fit in your bed.”
The automatic light I installed not too long ago turns on, and Savannah looks up from her bag, key in hand, only to come to a sudden stop. Even from a distance, I can see her body go completely still, her shoulders squaring.
The hair at my nape rises as Savannah steps in front of Levi, shielding him.
Something was wrong.
Very, very wrong.
I hurry my pace, my footsteps eating the distance between us.
Her voice is cold and completely devoid of emotions as she grits, “What are you doing here?”
“Sav?” Levi asks, a trace of fear lacing his voice as he clings to her.
Savannah’s hand lands on his side in reassurance. “It’s fine. Why don’t you go home?”
Before Levi can answer her, the swing creaks, and a low voice asks, “Not gonna say hello to your mother, Savvy?”
Savannah’s mother?
I climb on the porch, my gaze going over Savannah’s shoulder to the woman standing in front of her and taking her in.
The resemblance between the two is staggering. Savannah looked like a carbon copy of her mother, only there was gentleness and compassion in her that the older woman didn’t share.
Her gaze meets mine, the shadows making her eyes seem darker and her smirk turns knowing.
My jaw clenches as I remember what Savannah told me about her childhood and this woman who made it hell for the little girl she brought into this world. I step closer, my hand landing on Savannah’s back.
“I can see the gossip is true, after all.”
Savannah flinches visibly at the words, and her mother’s eyes crinkle in amusement.
“My baby girl is pregnant. I’m going to be a grandmother, how?—”
She tries to move closer as if she’s going to hug her. I’m about to step in between them when Savannah pulls back. “You’ll be nothing.” She tilts her chin up. “I think you should leave.”
Her mother’s smile falls. “We have to talk.”
“No, Clara. We don’t.” She points to the street. “It’s time for you to go.”
“You can’t?—”
“She said you should leave.” I step in front of Savannah, my tone leaving no room for argument.
If she wasn’t going to leave, I had no problem removing her.
Clara presses her lips together and tries to look around me. “This isn’t done.”
With one final glare, she spins on her heels and disappears down the street.
I turn my attention to Savannah. All the color has drained from her face. Her gaze is distant, her hand resting on her belly as if she wanted to protect our baby from her mother at all costs.
“Sav, baby?” I ask tentatively, moving closer. “Are you okay?”
She blinks and looks up, but that emptiness is still clinging to her gaze. It’s like she turned off a switch inside her, and only a shell of a woman was left. “Yeah. I’m just tired.”
“Okay. Let’s get you?—”
Savannah shakes her head. “I think I’ll sleep in my bed tonight.”
What?
Hell to the no.
I slide my finger under her chin and lift her head to face me. “Savannah…”
Her lip trembles, some of that vulnerability peeking through the cracks of the fortress she built around herself, but she presses them together. “Not tonight. I can’t deal with this tonight, Blake.”
Her words are like a punch to my gut. She takes a step back, breaking the contact between us, and before I can come up with a way to change her mind, she’s already slipping into her house and locking the door.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter quietly, running my fingers through my hair.
“Dad?” I glance down at Levi, who’s watching me with wide eyes.
“Sorry, buddy. You okay?”
He nods, nibbling at his lip. “Was that really Sav’s mom?”
“I think so, yes.”
“She made Sav sad. I don’t think I like her.”
That made two of us.
“Is Sav going to be okay?”
Looking down at my son, there is no missing the worried expression on his face, so I rest my hand on his shoulder and pull him into my side. “I don’t know, buddy.”