Chapter 11
ALLY
“Sorry for being an ass the other night,” Ethan said, pulling me into a hug as soon as I walked into my parents’ house for family dinner a few nights later.
“Penny force you to say that so you could get off the couch?” I asked.
Penny snorted behind him.
He pulled back, looking me in the face with a glare. “Of course not. Besides, she likes to snuggle too much to banish me to the couch for more than a night.”
“Ew. TMI, Ethan. TMI,” I muttered with a laugh.
Penny shrugged. “I can’t help that he’s irresistible.”
“Stop hogging my baby and let her in, Ethan,” my mom called out.
I lifted up on my toes and glanced over Ethan’s shoulder to see my mom wiping her hands on a dish towel and walking toward us.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. How are you feeling?” she asked as I moved out of Ethan’s arms and into hers.
I smiled. “Good. Tired. Hungry.”
“Sounds about right. How’s my little peanut?” She put her hand on my belly. “Grandma can’t wait to meet you, little one. I got you something today.”
“Mom, we talked about this. You can’t keep buying her things. Every time I see you, there are more gifts for the baby for me to bring home. My condo is getting crowded with presents.” My attempt to be stern was weak, even to my own ears, but I loved how supportive both of my parents had been since I told them I was pregnant. They had their concerns but trusted me to make the decisions that were right for me.
“Pretty sure I told you that as her grandmother, it’s my job to spoil her rotten,” Mom said with a smile. “Especially since she’s my only grandchild.” She gave my brother a pointed look.
“We’ve only been married a year, Mom. We’re still practicing,” Ethan said.
“Oh my god, seriously?” Penny groaned, swatting his shoulder.
Ethan attempted to look sheepish as he pulled his wife in for a kiss.
My mom gave a little laugh. “Come on. Let’s go eat. Dinner is on the table, and Darren and Julie are already here.”
I glanced back at Ethan, but his expression was normal as he kept Penny tucked into his side and we headed into the dining room. I was grateful that we could be a family like this again. We had some very rough years after Ethan’s girlfriend cheated on him with Darren, and then Darren married her. I’d only been sixteen at the time, and I’d always been closer to Ethan, so it hurt like hell to watch him distance himself from us. At least he visited me once I left for college, but it had been hard.
My parents accepted the marriage—what else were they supposed to do—and Ethan stayed away for years. To be fair, he was playing in New York at the time, so he had a ready excuse, but once he moved back to San Francisco to play for the Strikers and met Penny, we all were finally able to get past what Darren and Julie had done to become a relatively happy family. Dinners had gotten less strained over the years.
“There you are,” Dad said, walking over and giving me a hug. “That belly’s going to be as big as mine soon.”
“Very funny,” I said, returning his embrace.
“Now, what’s this I hear about a hockey player?” he asked.
“Ugh, guess the secret’s out,” I murmured.
“Probably didn’t help that Ethan went after him on the ice. Then your mother read a few articles about it the next day online. I mean, it’s not like hockey players are usually media fodder, like football or basketball players or anything, but your brother going after an old teammate was news.”
My parents had called me the next day to ask what the hell was going on and if I was okay and what was going to happen next. I’d filled them in over the phone, but this was the first time I’d seen them in person, so I knew it would be a topic tonight at dinner.
“I’d say I’m sorry about how I reacted, but Dom deserved it,” Ethan grumbled.
“Stop that. Ally is an adult, and you acted like a child,” Mom admonished.
“That’s what I told him,” Penny said, glaring at my brother.
“What? I’m not going to feel bad about that. Yeah, I’m sorry it turned into a story, but Ally can do better, and you don’t screw around with teammates’ family members, especially their little sisters,” Ethan said.
“That’s so freaking sexist, Ethan,” Penny said.
“Yeah. Your misogyny is showing,” I piped in.
“Whatever. I’d do the same if I had a little brother,” Ethan said.
I rolled my eyes. “Sure you would.”
“Well, what’s done is done. And now you’re going to suck it up and be a supportive big brother when Dom comes to visit,” Mom said.
“Uh, we’ll see,” Ethan said. “What’s for dinner?”
“You walked right into that, son,” Dad said, pointing to Ethan. “We just want our Ally to be happy, so no more shoving that boy into the boards.”
“It’s part of the game. But I’ll be fine as long as he does right by Ally.”
“Does right by me? What does that even mean? It’s not like he’s asking me to marry him or something,” I said.
“God, no. I just want him to follow through. To be as supportive as you and my little niece need him to be. And he can do that from Denver while you’re here.”
“Of course, she’s going to be here,” Mom said.
“He wants her to pick up everything and move to Denver to make it easier for him,” Ethan told them.
Mom gasped as I glared at my brother. “You can’t take my grandbaby away from me already.”
“Hey, are you trying to piss me off, Ethan?” I muttered. “He mentioned moving, but I haven’t agreed. We have a lot to think through, and I’m just taking it day by day, okay?”
Penny walked around Ethan and wrapped her arm over my shoulder.
“Okay, everyone, settle down. No need to stress and overwhelm her with what we want. She’s an adult and a smart-as-hell woman. She can figure it out, and we’ll be there for whatever she needs.” Then she squeezed my shoulder.
“I’m so glad my brother married you. You’re my favorite family member,” I said.
“Hey, ouch.” Ethan pretended to act affronted, but he gave me an apologetic smile. He knew he was being over the top.
I wasn’t ready to mention that I’d been thinking about Dom’s offer. Not that I was going to agree or anything. It would be crazy to move right now. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
“Food’s getting cold,” Darren called out. We all turned to where he and Julie sat at the table.
“Nice to see you, too, Darren,” I said, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.
“Sorry, Ally. Julie was just hungry,” he said, trying to look chagrined.
“Don’t pull me into this,” Julie said, her face pinched. I would never understand what both of my brothers saw in her. Granted, I was a teenager when Ethan dated her, and she’d seemed nice at the time, but ever since Ethan and Penny had gotten together almost five years ago, Julie had become… bitter, for lack of a better word. She and Darren didn’t appear happy, but I wasn’t going to say anything. Yeah, he was my brother, but they deserved each other. They weren’t fun to be around, and I wished they’d skip these dinners.
I loved how happy Penny made Ethan and secretly gloated every time Julie looked miserable when Ethan was around. Karma was a bitch sometimes. I knew I was being petty, but I hated the strife Darren and Julie had caused for years.
Taking the seat between Ethan and Mom, I started filling my plate as conversation flowed—for the most part—around me. Julie typically didn’t say much, and I knew Darren just showed up to appease my mother and because her cooking was better than Julie’s.
I placed my hand on my belly as my little girl moved around. I couldn’t move to Denver and leave this. Right?
***
Dom: How are my girls today?
Dom: Is she bouncing around?
He’d added a kangaroo emoji, and I couldn’t help but smile. It was the afternoon after my family dinner. I’d been too exhausted to talk to him when I got home the night before.
Ally: We’re good and she has the hiccups again. It feels so weird.
Dom: I wish I was there to feel it.
I glanced down at my phone, not knowing how to respond. Yeah, it’d be great if he could feel his daughter as she grew inside me, but he was in Denver. Uprooting my life right now did not make sense, logistically.
Dom: Oh shit, I know how that sounded, but honest, no pressure. Really, Ally.
Ally: I know.
***
Dom: Finally back in Denver. How was your doctor’s appointment?
Dom: Any new pics of our girl?
Ally: Hi. None today. Maybe next visit. Appointment went well. She’s measuring right where she should be.
Dom: I got her something. Couldn’t stop myself. Do you have the same problem?
He followed it up with a picture of him holding a stuffed horse, wearing a Stampede jersey, and holding a hockey stick. His smile made my heart flutter, and then Baby Girl fluttered in my belly.
I found myself looking forward to his texts every day. Dammit. Why was he so adorable?
Ally: Yeah, I have the same problem. She’s going to be so spoiled by everyone.
Dom: I can’t wait.
Shut up, stupid heart.
***
Dom: Hey, I’m free tonight. Want to watch a movie and FaceTime? I’m thinking the second Bourne movie.
Dom: Practice was a bitch today, so I’m glad we have the night off.
Ally: Don’t you want to hang out with your teammates?
Dom: Nah, I see them all the time. I want to watch a movie with you.
I couldn’t stop my smile.
Ally: Okay.
***
Dom: Did you watch Red Notice yet? Action and comedy.
Ally: I haven’t. But that’s the one with Ryan Reynolds, right? I’m always up for him.
Dom: I’m hotter.
I giggled. We’d been doing multiple movie nights a week. It was fun and relaxing. We’d chat, share what our movie snack of the night was, and comment on what was going on.
Dom: I just got out of the shower, so we could start soon. Don’t want you falling asleep before it’s over.
I would not think about him potentially being in a towel right now.
Dom: Want to FaceTime?
Please be dressed. Please be dressed.
Stupid pregnancy hormones.
Ally: Sure. And I promise not to tell you what’s going to happen in the movie.
He found my educated guesses annoying. It wasn’t my fault that I figured out the plot before he did.
Then, my screen buzzed with his incoming call. I tapped on it, and his stupidly beautiful face and full smile stopped my breath for a second.
“Hi there,” he said.
“Hi. I have my snacks ready,” I said, holding up my plain MM’s. Why did I currently feel awkward? At least he had a shirt on.
“How was practice today?”
“How’s our baby doing today?”
We asked the questions at the same time, and I laughed softly.
“She’s good. I’m a bit achy, but my feet are up,” I said.
“You could be here with me massaging them,” he said.
I sighed. “Dom.”
“Okay, okay. No pushy talk tonight. And practice was good. Kicked Haldy’s ass in a skating drill. Can’t let the kid think he’s faster than me.”
I laughed. “Wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re slowing down in your old age.”
“You bite your tongue. I’m only twenty-five. You’re older than me.”
“By a year. That’s nothing.”
We teased each other a bit more. There was an ease that I loved in our conversations. Then we turned on the movie and I got distracted by Dom’s smile instead of focusing on Ryan on the screen.
I could go for a foot massage right now.
***
Dom: No pressure or anything, but Brooke Lefleur can’t stop raving about Violet’s pediatrician. She also gave me her own doctor’s name, too. You know, just in case.
Dom: Okay, fine. Pressure. Have you thought about it?
Dom: I want you both here and I don’t think I say that enough.
Ally: Dom.
Dom: I know, I know. I wanted you to be clear on what I’m thinking, okay?
I sighed, leaning my head against the back of my couch. Of course, Baby Girl decided at that moment to jab me with an elbow or foot or something.
“All right, I get it. But he’s not that great. And your daddy’s being very pushy.”
But he was also being so attentive, texting or calling daily, even when he had games. We’d talked about more than just moving in. And I liked him.
Ugh. But just liked. And it wasn’t going to be anything more, no matter what.
Dom: Did I piss you off?
Ally: What? No. I’m just still not sure.
Dom: It’s a pretty sweet deal. I’ll be there to get you anything you need. Foot massages. Ice cream. MM’s. Whatever.
Dom: You get your own bedroom and you can redecorate or do whatever you like to the entire condo since I’ve pretty much done nothing. You have some former Strikers and their families here to hang out with. I’m relatively neat, and anything you need is yours.
Dom: I will also defer to you for all movie and TV show selections in the living room.
I laughed. He was really pouring on the charm right now. It wasn’t like we’d really disagreed about our movie selections up to this point.
Ally: I mean, it does seem nice. The foot massages and snacks are strong incentives.
Dom: And San Francisco is just a two-hour flight away! I’ll bring anyone out for a visit whenever you need them here. Put them up in a hotel, let them sleep in my room, anything you want. There’s a large empty space in the living room in front of the window where you could set up your workspace.
Ally: Pulling out all the stops, aren’t you?
My phone rang.
“Hi,” I said.
“Yes, I am. I want to be here for you, and I want us to experience the rest of your pregnancy and the start of our daughter’s life together.”
My breath caught in my throat at the complete sincerity in his tone.
“I know it’s a big ask. I truly do. But we can try it out just until the end of the season, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll spend the summer in San Francisco. Then, when the next season starts, we’ll figure the next steps out.” He paused, his expression sincere.
“Just think about it, okay? But you only have a month left because I read that you can’t fly after thirty-six weeks, and I doubt you want to make that long drive super pregnant,” he said. “Or sit on a train for that long. It would be a lot of bathroom breaks.”
“How much reading have you done?”
“Everything I could find. Lots of conflicting opinions in some of those books, but we’re both smart—well, you’re really freaking smart—so we’ll figure it out.”
“That charm is next level,” I said, laughter in my voice.
“Gotta pull out all the stops for what I want, which is both of you here, so I can go through all the ups and downs with you and support you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m nervous as fuck. Shit, I need to work on my cursing.”
I giggled. “You have time.”
“Anyway. I’m trying my hardest here. I haven’t talked about my family life a lot, but they are not like your parents. I want to do everything I can to be better and helpful, and to me, that means at least living in the same state as both of you.”
“I know, and I truly appreciate everything, Dom. Thank you for those super comfy slippers and the softest pj set I’ve ever had, by the way.”
“Brooke said she wanted to live in those pj’s,” he said.
I loved that he was talking to the moms on the team and getting tips. I never encountered this sweet side of him when we started flirting years ago, and I still wasn’t sure how to handle it.
“Okay, I’ll stop bugging you about it for now. Movie date tonight?”
“Yes. But maybe a bit earlier because I get tired way too early right now.”
“Deal. Get back to work, and I’ll talk to you tonight,” he said before ending the call.
I tapped on Darcy’s name.
Ally: Please tell me you’re not busy. Can you come over?
Darcy: Everything okay?
Ally: I need to talk.
Darcy: Uh-oh. That sounds ominous.
Ally: It’s nothing bad. Just come over. I restocked my ice cream stash.
Darcy: Should’ve led with that. Be there in twenty. I just finished my last class for the day.
Darcy: Kidding. I’d come over even if you were out of BJ. See you soon.
The comment about B and J made me think about Dom confusing ice cream for something else entirely, and now I was thinking about what it would be like to fall into bed with him again. To feel him against me, kissing me, devouring me.
“Dammit,” I muttered. Would I be able to resist him if we were living in the same condo? And resisting him was the smart thing to do, right?
Ugh. Darcy needed to get her ass over here.
I drank some water to cool myself down. Then I had to pee because—well, pregnant.
Then I sat my ass down on the couch and waited. At least my work was done for the day, so I could slack off for the last hour.
Finally, seventeen minutes later, Darcy let herself into my apartment.
“Okay. What’s going on?” she asked. “We need ice cream now?”
I stood up. “Yes.”
She waved her hand at me as she walked into the kitchen. “No, I got it,” she said, grabbing a pint and two spoons.
“Who said I’m sharing?”
“Then you should’ve gotten two pints of our favorite,” she said with a grin as she sat down on the couch. “Now, lay it on me. Or sustenance first?” She held out a spoon.
I snagged it and dug into the open pint container, shoving some caramel fudge ice cream in my mouth before I held it out to her. “I could just eat this all day.”
“Same. Now spill.”
I paced in front of her.
“What am I doing?”
“Eating ice cream at three in the afternoon.”
I shot her a glare. “Very funny.”
She lifted her hands in surrender. “What? You asked. Want to talk about it? I mean, that is why I’m here.”
“Ugh,” I groaned, plopping down on the couch next to her and taking the pint of ice cream from her hands.
“Hey!”
“I need it more.” I shoved the spoon in my mouth.
“What’s going on, Ally?”
I pulled the spoon out of my mouth. “I don’t know. Dom really wants me to move to Denver. He says no pressure, but he keeps asking. Am I crazy to consider it? You guys are all here, and you’re my support system, but we know how crazy hockey season is, and he wants to be around to help me. I want to give our daughter the best opportunities from the get-go with both of her parents involved. I just don’t know the best way to do that.” I put my head in my hands.
“What do you want to do?”
“Not make a decision like this when I’m pregnant,” I muttered.
“Yeah, not ideal timing to move, but what do you think is best for you and my perfect little niece?” She nudged her shoulder into mine, and I looked up.
“He’s the father.”
“Yes. But you can’t just move in with him because of that. It needs to be what’s best for her. I know he’s been a bit pushy about this, but don’t cave just to appease him.”
“I wouldn’t. I’m not,” I said firmly. “This is solely about her.”
“Okay. So what are the other pros?”
“It won’t disrupt my job to move to Denver. Hell, they even have a satellite office there,” I said.
“True. Does the thought of living with him make you want to say absolutely not?”
“I guess not. I mean, we text and talk all the time. I guess we’re friends now.”
“What about more than friends?”
“Nope. Not going there. We will be co-parenting roommates. Anything else is just setting us up for disaster,” I said, hoping I sounded firm.
“Okay, good. Don’t think about me or your family, then. Think about what is best for you and this little girl. That’s the best advice I can give. Oh, and if you do move, I will be visiting as much as you’ll let me.”
That was exactly what I needed to hear. She wrapped her arm around me and tugged me into a hug.
Before stealing more ice cream.
DOM
I definitely was putting too much pressure on her, but I couldn’t help but be selfish. I stared at my phone, promising myself I wouldn’t text her again today. I’d laid the charm on thick during our last call and still felt marginally guilty.
My phone dinged.
Micah: Grabbing a beer at Tipsy. You in?
Dom: Sure.
There were a few hours before my movie date with Ally, and I was always up for a teammate bonding session over a beer or two.
Micah: Heading down to the lobby in five.
Dom: See you then.
Tally, Sin, Tucks, and Micah were already in the lobby when I got there.
“There he is, the baby maker,” Sin yelled.
“Ignore him,” Tally said, punching his friend in the shoulder.
“Harty put a hit on you yet?” Sin teased.
I rolled my eyes. The man was a pain in the ass and loved stirring up shit even more than Baz.
“Maybe he could take one out on you and put us out of our misery,” I fired back with a laugh.
“Ow. That hurts, man. And I’m not the one knocking up baby sisters,” Sin said, a smirk on his face.
“Because they won’t touch you,” Tally taunted.
“Knock it off, Sin,” Micah said, smacking the man in the back of the head. “We going for a beer, or what?”
I gave Micah a nod of thanks as we headed out to a waiting car.
“How you holding up?” Tally asked, sliding onto a barstool at Tipsy a short while later.
“I’m good. Trying to do the right thing and be supportive, but it’s hard being in a different state,” I replied. The distance was constantly on my mind. I kept thinking I could learn to be a good parent if she were here and modeling it. After all, she didn’t come from a broken home, and her parents actually liked each other still. Not to mention that I just flat-out wanted her here.
“He’s trying to get her to move here,” Micah offered, taking a sip of the beer the bartender set in front of him.
“Is that even possible? She’s due in like a few months, right?” Tally asked.
“Not even. She’s due in two months. Just before Christmas. And I’m working on it. I can help out more if she’s here.”
Tally nodded. “Makes sense. Well, whatever you need, we got you covered.”
“Thanks.” It meant a lot to have such a supportive group around me. It was one of the things I valued the most about hockey, and I was lucky to have that with the Strikers and now with the Stampede. When my family life was at its worst, I’d always been able to count on my teammates and coaches. I wouldn’t be living my dream life without their support. I could be a cocky asshole, but even I gave credit where credit was due.
“Yes, yes, whatever you need. Now, can we talk about how you’re finally playing better? Woof, the start of the season was rough,” Sin said.
Tally shook his head at his friend. “I swear to god, you cannot read the room.”
“What? His daughter is going to want to look up to him, and she can’t do that if he’s playing crap hockey.”
“There’s more to life than hockey,” Tally said.
Sin gasped. “You bite your tongue, young man. Hockey is life.”
“You’re so fucking dramatic, you know that? If hockey doesn’t work out, maybe try a soap opera,” Micah deadpanned.
“I would be epic. You’d tune in every single day, and you know it,” Sin crowed, pointing his beer bottle at us.
Tally rolled his eyes. “Anyway, he’s right. You’ve been playing great the last few games.”
“Thanks. Maybe Harty knocked some sense into me,” I said sardonically.
“I can’t believe he reacted that way. He’s one of the nicest guys in the league,” Tally said.
“Ally and I have a strange history, and I’ve never been, ah, relationship material,” I explained. At least I’d always been honest about it.
“So, are you two together now?” Tally asked.
“Aiming for co-parenting roommates,” I said.
“Who fuck?” Sin asked. “She’s hot, so why not be more than just roommates?”
“Seriously, are you asking us to keep hitting you? Maybe you enjoy it,” Micah said.
Sin grinned. “Nothing wrong with a little pain with your pleasure.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re fucking ridiculous.”
“He’s not denying it,” Sin provoked.
“Because he doesn’t have to. Whatever is going to happen with them is between them. Stop being an ass, or no one’s going to invite you out for beers anymore,” Tally said.
Thankfully, the conversation turned back to hockey and our game against Winnipeg the next night. I knew Sin was just ribbing me, but his comments put too many ideas in my head. Would I be able to resist Ally if she was living with me twenty-four seven?
***
A few hours later, I made myself a bowl of popcorn and tossed in some plain MM’s. What could I say, it was a good combo. Then I grabbed my tablet and tapped on Ally’s name.
“Dom, hi,” she said, sounding breathless and looking flushed.
My cock took note. Shifting on the couch, I settled my tablet on my lap.
“Everything okay?” I asked, hoping she didn’t hear the gruffness in my voice.
A strand of hair had come loose from her messy bun, and she absentmindedly tucked it behind her ear. I wished I was there so I could sink my fingers into it.
“What? Oh, yeah. All good. I was finishing up in the bathroom and didn’t want to miss your call. I swear I spend more time in there with her sitting on my freaking bladder than at my desk.”
Then she smiled, and it lit up my body in a way that wasn’t sexual at all.
“Not that you want to hear that,” she murmured.
“I want to hear all of it,” I said without thought. And surprisingly, I did.
She scoffed. “Sure you do.”
“So, you ready for the movie?” I asked, letting it go for now. I wasn’t sure how I was going to convince her that I was truly all in, even if it still scared the shit out of me.
“Actually, I needed to talk to you first.”
I swallowed hard. Those words were never a good thing.
“Uh, sure? What’s up?”
She laughed softly. “Oh my god, you look so freaked out right now.”
“Because those are scary-ass words, Ally.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, I guess. But then again, I’m thinking of agreeing to something scary.”
I sat up straight, and the tablet jostled in my lap. Was she going to say what I wanted to hear?
“Are you sure you really want a roommate?” She cupped her belly and glanced down with a smile on her face. “And ultimately two?”
“Yes. Definitely yes. I mean, you’re talking about you, right?”
She grinned. “Yeah, of course. It’s not like I was going to list your address on Facebook Marketplace as looking for a roommate or something.”
“Very funny. So when? And what can I do to help?” I tried to control the swirling thoughts in my brain. Yes. I wanted her to move in so I could be there for her and help her with her pregnancy and when our daughter arrived. But I was also scared shitless that I would screw something up or get in over my head. I shoved those feelings aside. I wanted to be a part of my daughter’s life, and Ally’s, so badly.
“Uh, I don’t know. I just decided today, so I have no plans.”
“You having no plans is weird,” I teased.
“Don’t worry. I started making a list before you called.”
I chuckled. “Of course you did. So what’s on the list? Is it like demands or plans?”
She shrugged. “Maybe both.”
“You can have whatever you want,” I readily said.
“You might come to regret that.” Then she pulled out a notebook.
“You really did start a list. Wait, what’s on the first page? Looks like pros and cons.”
She quickly flipped a few pages into the notebook. “It’s nothing, and of course, I made a list. Being pregnant is the most unplanned thing that’s ever happened to me. I have lists for everything.”
“Okay. Hit me,” I said, unable to keep the broad smile off my face. This was going to be a good thing.
***
“We have two days until she gets here, and I have a list of things we need to do,” I said to the guys in my condo. It’d been six days since Ally had agreed to move in with me, and between her work and my game schedule, we’d finally managed to iron out all the details. We were in the middle of a long home-game stretch, so at least I had time to get everything she needed set up. Well, almost set up. That’s why I’d recruited a few guys to help out after morning practice. We didn’t have a game tonight, so no one needed their afternoon naps.
“All right. What are we building first?” Tally asked as Micah started opening boxes.
“What the hell is this?” Micah pulled a long, snake-like pillow out of a box.
“The best pregnancy pillow on the market. It’s supposed to hug her perfectly, I guess. I don’t know. Brooke suggested it,” I said.
Sin smirked. “Aren’t you going to be hugging her?”
Tally groaned. “Don’t start.”
“Why did we bring him again?” Micah teased.
“Because he’s surprisingly efficient at assembling anything that needs an Allen wrench,” Tally said with a shrug.
Sin wiggled his fingers. “Very nimble fingers. Bookcases and the ladies love me.”
I chuckled. “You’re an idiot, but thanks for the help.”
“Always ready to help my teammates. What needs screwing?” Sin asked.
Tally groaned again. “You’ve been waiting to use that, haven’t you?”
“Yup,” Sin said.
“Go build that bookcase.” I pointed toward the large box propped up against the wall.
“On it.” He saluted us with said wrench.
Micah and I started assembling the crib while Tally worked on a cube thing that I’d gotten for storage. I’d managed to get the bassinet set up already and had put it next to the bed.
“This should not be that hard,” I said, looking at all the desk pieces a short while later. We’d finished up the bedroom and Sin was on his second bookcase.
Micah flipped through the manual. “Why is this book of instructions so long? It’s just a damn desk.”
Sin walked over. “We can totally assemble that without it. Tally, switch places with me and go finish the bookcase.” He held up the Allen wrench to Tally.
“We should follow the instructions,” Tally replied, eyeing Sin as he took the tool from him.
“Nah. I’ve got this. Expert furniture assembler, remember?”
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” I asked.
Sin took the manual from Micah and tossed it aside.