Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Sloane
I’ve been up for a couple of hours. Baker didn’t tell me what he needed me to do today, but I figure that’s because he doesn’t know. How does one plan for laying their child’s mother to rest?
So, I took some liberties. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, right? I’m dressed and ready for the day, so when I hear Camden cooing in his room, I head in to get the little man ready.
Baker went back and forth on taking him to the service today. It will be two weeks tomorrow since he got the news that Natasha and her fiancé, Levi, were killed in a plane crash. Levi’s parents handled everything, and from what Baker has told me, they’ve been great about keeping him informed.
“Hey, bud,” I whisper as I step into Camden’s room. He rubs at his eyes, his hair sticking up all over the place, and then he gives me a heart-stopping grin. The same one I’m greeted with every morning when he sees me.
“Swoan,” he says, his smile growing wider, if that’s even possible.
“Let’s get you some breakfast,” I say, lifting him into my arms and carrying him to the changing table.
He babbles, still rubbing his tired eyes as I get his diaper changed, then we head downstairs.
After placing him in his highchair, I grab the strawberries from the fridge and slice up a few to get him started, while I pop a waffle into the toaster.
We need to be on the road in an hour, so we’re looking for quick options today.
“One waffle,” I tell him, placing his plate on the tray with his cut-up waffle and cinnamon butter. No syrup today, because this boy goes crazy with it, and we don’t have time for a full-blown bath since he sometimes takes his sweet time eating.
“Morning,” Baker says from the doorway of the kitchen. He leans down and pecks a kiss on the top of Camden’s head before his eyes find mine. His eyes take me in, roaming every inch of my body. “You look beautiful,” he says, his voice gruff. “Why are you all dressed up?”
“I was thinking that, if it’s all right with you, I would tag along today. I could help with Cam if he gets fussy or whatever during the memorial.”
Baker swallows hard. “Really?” he asks, his voice cracking.
“I’m here for whatever you need, Baker.”
“This isn’t part of your job,” he counters, but there’s no fight in his tone. He wants me to go today.
I made it sound like it was for Camden, but it’s for him, too.
He’s going to be the odd man out, and I want to be there to support him.
The guys are all at training camp. Rowan and Corie are, as well.
Bellamy has Coral, so I told her not to come, and Amanda couldn’t get the day off work.
I’m his only option, since his parents are still traveling.
“My job is to take care of this little guy anytime you need me to. I also want to be there for you,” I confess.
“Sloane—” he starts, but Camden interrupts him.
“Daddy, yum!” He holds out a bite of his waffle, and Baker smiles down at him.
“That’s yours, kiddo. Daddy will grab something.” Then he mutters, “Shit,” under his breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t think about getting him something nice to wear today. I mean, he has nice clothes, but it should be a little fancier, right? I’m certain anything he has no longer fits him. Fuck,” he says, running his hands through his hair.
“Puck!” Camden says excitedly.
Baker’s eyes find mine, and he looks worried. “Hey, buddy,” I tell Camden. “That’s not a nice word. Daddy didn’t mean to say that.”
Cam furrows his brow. “Daddy, no?”
“That’s right,” Baker says. “Daddy, no.”
“Daddy, bad,” Camden says.
Baker chuckles. “I’ll do better,” he assures his son.
“I took care of his outfit,” I tell him, and he whips his head around to stare at me.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I took that shiny black card you gave me with my name on it and bought him a new suit for today.” I shrug. “I figured he’d need it because I didn’t see anything in his closet. I thought worst-case scenario, you bought him one, too, and I could return it.”
“I—Thank you, Sloane. I don’t know how I would have gotten through these last few weeks without you.”
I nod. “What do you want for breakfast?” I ask, pretending like my heart isn’t squeezing in my chest at his praise.
“I’m not hungry.”
“That may be, but you need something in your belly.” I get to work making us both a bowl of vanilla yogurt with strawberries and granola. “Eat up,” I say, sliding the bowl toward him.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Once Cam’s finished eating, I’ll get him ready.
I’ve already got a diaper bag packed with a change of clothes in case the monkey suit is too much for him, and we can change him on the way home.
I also have snacks and anything else we might need.
All you have to do is get yourself ready. ”
Baker nods and dives back into his breakfast, finishing in just a few bites.
He stands, rinses out his bowl, and places it in the dishwasher.
His hands land on my shoulders, and he gives them a gentle squeeze.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says, his lips next to my ear.
His touch disappears just as quickly as it appeared, and he takes his warmth with him.
“I’m going to get dressed,” he calls over his shoulder, taking the stairs two at a time.
I wasn’t sure how he would react when I told him I’m going with them. I was hoping he’d be okay with it, but I wasn’t expecting the relief that crossed his handsome face when he realized that he didn’t have to face this alone.
“Come on, kiddo. Let’s get you cleaned up.
” Lifting him from his highchair, I leave the mess for later, careful not to get sticky fingers on my dress.
Today is going to be hard, and this little guy has no idea what we’re about to face.
My heart aches for both of them. I wish that I could fix this for them.
The best I can do is be here for whatever they need—both of them.
Upstairs, I clean up Camden’s face and hands, help him brush his teeth, and wet his wild locks. “Look how handsome,” I coo at him, when he’s all dressed in his little suit. I don’t bother with the jacket just yet, and I might not at all. He might hate it, and he looks adorable without it.
“Need help?” Baker asks from the doorway.
I glance at him over my shoulder. “I was just telling Cam how handsome he is.” I turn back toward Cam and tap his nose with my index finger, making him laugh.
“You’re handsome, just like your daddy.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think better of it.
This is not the time for me to be dropping truths about how hot my friend-slash-boss is.
I feel Baker step close, his body aligned with mine. One hand lands on my hip, while the other he presents to his son. “Very handsome,” he agrees, talking to Camden. “And Sloane is beautiful,” he says, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
“Swoan, butaful,” Camden repeats.
“You’re a charmer.” I smile at the boy and ignore his sexy-as-sin father.
Baker rests his chin on top of my head. Camden is holding one hand while the other still rests on my hip. “Are we ready to go?” he asks, his voice soft.
“We are,” I answer, my voice barely a whisper because he’s touching me, and his body heat is warm and inviting. I curse myself because this is not the time for this. I can’t go there with him. Not while I work for him. Right?
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s not the feel of his lips against my temple before he steps back and reaches for his son, lifting him into his arms. “Where’s the diaper bag?” he asks.
“I’ll grab it.”
“I can carry it,” he counters.
“You’ve got precious cargo; I can handle the goods,” I tease, trying to lighten the moment because my heart is racing and my body is calling out for him to touch me again. Anywhere, anytime—now, preferably.
With his free hand, he rests his palm against my cheek, and I can’t resist leaning into his touch. “You’re both precious cargo,” he says softly. “You saved my a—behind today,” he says, correcting his wording for his son’s benefit.
“I know you’re used to doing everything on your own, but I’m here now, and I want to help.
” There’s so much meaning to those words.
I do want to help him. I know being a single dad isn’t easy.
Baker is one of those men who just handles business.
Camden is his son, and he wants to be everything for him when his job allows.
But this, everyone needs a shoulder, and I know he has to be lonely.
Yes, he has the guys and our entire friend group, but he comes home alone.
He hasn’t dated since Natasha told him she was pregnant.
He’s isolated himself to being Camden’s dad, but he’s also still a man, and he’s looking at me right now with so many emotions swirling in his hazel eyes.
I see pain, sadness, appreciation, and hunger.
His lingering touch tells me that I’m the cause of his hunger, and while I know it’s wrong, if he needs me, I’ll take one for the team and be whatever he needs.
I’m not a hookup kind of girl. Sure, I tease and talk, but my heart can’t separate sex and emotions, but for this man, for my friend, I’d make the sacrifice.
“I wouldn’t have gotten through this without you.
” Leaning forward, he places his lips to my forehead, making Camden giggle and lean toward me, as well.
I step close so that he can reach me. Baker slides his arm around my waist, while his son mimics his daddy and places a kiss, albeit a sloppy one, on my forehead.
Baker pulls me closer, and I lean into him. Giving him my strength, giving it to both of them on one of the hardest days they’ll have to face.