Chapter 4 #2
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.
“I’m next,” Knox tells him.
“That would be me.” Corie raises her hand. “You all had both kids all morning. You have to share,” she tells her husband.
“When our baby gets here—” Knox starts, but Rowan interrupts him.
“You’ll share them with us.” She gives her brother-in-law an exaggerated smile.
“What she said.” I point at Rowan.
Knox grumbles something about stealing his kid, and I smile.
Baker’s phone rings, and he looks at the screen. “I need to take this.”
“Come to Uncle Knox, big man.” Knox reaches for Camden, who’s still chewing on an egg roll, not a single care in the world.
Baker stands and walks away. I can’t help but wonder if it’s Natasha and more drama coming from her. Maybe she decided to come home after all and wants to see Camden. For the little guy, I hope that’s the case.
“Well, sh—shoot,” Baker says, dropping back into his seat, glancing over at his son.
I’m proud of the guys. They’ve done so well cleaning up their potty mouths when the kids are around.
“What’s up?” Reid asks him.
Baker runs his hands through his hair. “That was Mrs. Ward. Apparently, her daughter is expecting twins, her first grandchildren, and she’s moving to be closer to her so she can watch her grandkids.”
“Damn,” Reid mutters.
“I’m happy for her, and I knew that this might one day be a possibility, but with Natasha being as flaky as she’s been, and training camp starting next week, I’m in a bind.”
“When is she quitting?” Bellamy asks. “Did she give you notice?”
“No. I guess her daughter is at high risk, so she’s leaving to stay with her. She was apologetic, and I get it. I hate it, but I understand it, too. She needs to be with her daughter. She’s a good mother,” he says, and we can all read through the lines of what he’s not saying about Camden’s mother.
“What can we do?” Corie asks.
Baker reaches over and runs his hands over Camden’s head, earning a smile from his son.
“I don’t know. I hate the idea of leaving him with someone I don’t know.
I hated it when we first hired Mrs. Ward, too, but she was highly recommended, and there was just something about her that made you feel calm, and I trusted her. ”
“We’re here for whatever you need,” Foster tells him. “We’ll make it work.”
“I can watch him for now,” Bellamy offers.
“You have your job,” Baker tells her.
“Yeah, about that. I’m training my replacement, and then I’m going to stay at home for a while with Coral, just until she’s older.”’
“It’s going to be longer than that, Bell, because our girl needs brothers and sisters,” Reid tells his wife.
Bellamy grins at him. “I’m happy to help.” She turns her attention back to Baker.
“I appreciate that, I do, but I need someone now.”
“I can do it,” I offer. “I’m off work indefinitely.” I shrug.
“What?” all five guys ask at once.
“What does that mean?” Landry asks. He’s always been like a brother to me because of my relationship with his sister.
“It means that due to budget cuts, my position was eliminated.”
“Damn, Sloane, I’m sorry to hear that,” Knox says.
“Thank you.” I smile at him before turning to Baker. “I’m happy to help you. I’m certified in CPR, and I love kids, and I’d much rather spend my time with Camden than waiting tables downtown.”
“What happens if you find another teaching job?” Baker asks.
“I’d have plenty of notice, and I’ve been looking for a week, and so far, nothing is available that’s not at least an hour’s drive from home.”
“You’d have to stay with me, at my place—at least during training camp, and when we’re out of town with the team,” Baker says cautiously.
I can see his wheels turning over in his brain as he processes this situation.
“Let’s see, stay at your mega mansion with the cutest little boy ever, or over my parents’ garage in my tiny one-bedroom apartment?
” I tap my chin as if the decision’s complicated.
“I can handle it,” I assure him. Then it hits me that maybe he doesn’t want me watching his son.
“No pressure.” I raise my hands. “But I’d be happy to help. ”
Baker stares at me with all the intensity that his hazel eyes are capable of, and I wish I knew what he was thinking. I wish I could get a better read on him.
No matter the outcome of my working for him, even if it’s just to fill in while he finds a new permanent nanny, which is best, we’re both helping each other out. The chance of me finding aa job for this upcoming school year, seems unlikely this close to the term starting.