Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Baker
So far this season, we’re undefeated. That’s huge as we head into this game against the Georgia Badgers. They, too, are undefeated this season. Someone is going home with a hashmark in the loss column. I hope it’s not us.
The locker room is bustling with activity, music, and loud voices—normal for game day, especially for a game like this. I’m sitting in front of my locker, waiting for Sloane to text me and let me know that she and Camden made it to the stadium okay.
“Daddy Sin, you ready to kick some Badger ass today?” Landry asks, plopping down on the chair next to mine.
“You know it.” I hold my fist out for his, and we bump knuckles.
“Their defense is on fire this year,” Knox says, walking over to join our conversation.
“Yeah, but so is ours,” Cody Martin, our defensive back, chimes in.
The dude is built like a tank. He looks like a damn giant next to his wife, Holly. She used to work for the Rampage, so we saw them together often. She’s this tiny little thing, and he’s… not.
“We’re vibing, fellas,” Reid says with a nod.
None of us will say what we’re all thinking. We’re going for the big win again this year, bringing home the league championship, but saying it out loud might jinx us. Hell, I’m not even sure I should be thinking it.
My phone rings, and I see Sloane’s name flash across the screen. I block everyone out and answer. “Hey, babe, are you here?”
“No. Cam woke up from his nap fussy and feeling warm. I gave him a while to see if he was just groggy, but he’s still just lying around and wants to be held. We’re going to stay home and watch the game,” she tells me.
“Do you need anything? Does he have a fever?”
“According to the thermometer, low grade at ninety-nine, but his little cheeks are flushed, and he just wants me to hold him,” she explains. “Cam, baby, Daddy’s on the phone. Do you want to say hi?” she asks. “Hold on, Baker. Let me put you on speaker.”
I hear rustling, then, “Daddy, hi,” Camden says, his voice soft.
“Hey, little man. I’m sorry you don’t feel well.
” I hate that he’s sick, but kids get sick.
I understand that. I also know that I wouldn’t want anyone but Sloane there to care for him.
Mrs. Ward was great. She was grandmotherly, but her affection toward him, and the affection Sloane shows him, is different, and I’m glad she’s there for my boy.
“He nodded,” Sloane tells me. More rustling, and when she speaks again, I know she took me off speaker. “We’re just going to snuggle and watch the game. I’ve got some homemade chicken soup in the Crock-Pot and crackers. We have Pedialyte, and I already gave him something for the fever.”
“I— Thank you, Sloane.” I almost blurted out that I loved her, because I do, and my dumb ass has yet to tell her. I keep waiting for the right time, and this isn’t it.
“You don’t have to thank me for caring about him, Baker. You’re both important to me. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
“I’m glad he has you. I’m glad we both do,” I amend.
“Well, we’ll be here when you get home. We’ll be watching and cheering you on.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can.” I want to be home with them, to help her care for him. I want in on the snuggle fest that’s happening on my couch right now.
“Do what you have to do, Baker. You don’t have to rush. We’re just fine. I just don’t think it’s smart to take him to a game when he’s not feeling well. He’ll be more comfortable here.”
“I agree. I’ll be home soon.” Love you.
“Have a good game,” she says, ending the call.
“What’s up?” Foster asks. He joined our little group during my call.
I run my fingers through my hair. “Cam’s not feeling well. Sloane is going to stay home with him.”
“He all right?” Landry asks.
“Yeah, kids get sick. He’s running a low-grade fever and just wants Sloane to hold him.”
“Like his daddy,” Reid teases.
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re not wrong,” I admit.
“He’s in good hands,” Knox says, placing his hand on my shoulder.
“I know, but damn, I’d rather be there,” I confess. The guys fall quiet. It’s Reid who speaks up.
“Before Coral was born, I might have said you’ve lost your mind, that nothing beats the thrill of the game and the stadium full of fans, but I feel you, brother. Let’s go kick some Badger ass so you can get home to them.”
Them. Not him, but them. When I wasn’t looking, Sloane and I became a team.
Not because I pay her to be there, but because we both love my son unconditionally.
My home team needs me, so I’m going to play the best damn game of football for the Rampage team that I have ever played so that I can get back to them.
A quick four quarters, and then I’ll be home.
I sneak into the house quietly, not sure what I’m walking into. The lights in the kitchen are low, and the smell that greets me has me swallowing back a groan. The homemade chicken noodle soup smells damn good, and after I check on my son and my girl, I plan to have me a bowl, maybe two.
I gently place my bag on the floor to avoid making noise, kick off my shoes, and go in search of them.
I round the corner to the living room and stop in my tracks.
There, in the recliner, are Sloane and Camden.
The room is dark, except for the glow of the television.
There’s a sippy cup and the insulated tumbler she carries everywhere on the table next to them.
Cam is resting on her chest, his face turned toward me, and they’re both sleeping.
Warmth unfurls through my chest at the sight of them.
They’re both tucked beneath the blanket, and I can see even beneath the covers that Sloane is curled protectively around him as if she’s shielding him from the world.
The sight is so tender, it makes my throat tighten.
There’s a kind of peace settled around them that I don’t want to disturb.
I take another step into the room, planning to just sit on the couch and watch as my entire world slumbers in the chair, but plans change when Camden shifts. Sloane’s eyes pop open, and she checks on him and spots me.
“Hey,” she whispers. “Good game. Two touchdowns.” She smiles softly.
“Thanks, baby. How’s our boy?” I ask. The words roll off my tongue effortlessly.
“He’s still not playing much, whiny, and not much of an appetite. He did eat a few bites of soup, and he’s had a good bit of the Pedialyte.”
Kneeling next to the chair, I place my hand on his back as I lean in to kiss her. “Thank you for taking care of him.”
“Baker.” She shakes her head. “Stop thanking me.”
My emotions are getting the best of me, so I keep going, needing to get the words out.
“We’re so lucky to have you. You’ve changed our lives, Sloane.
I don’t have the constant worry I had before.
I know that if he’s not with me, he’s with you, and that gets me right here,” I tell her, placing my hand over my chest. I mean, I still worry, because I’ll never stop, but it’s different.
“It’s as if I can finally breathe. For the first time since Natasha told me she was pregnant, I feel as though I’m breathing evenly. You give us both peace.”
She blinks hard a few times, fighting back her own emotions. “Baker—” She starts, but Cam lifts his head.
“Daddy home.”
“I’m here, bud. You want to come see me?
” I ask, holding my arms out for him. He gives me a lazy nod and reaches for me.
Standing, I lift him into my arms and snuggle him.
He’s warm, but that could just be from the way they were lying, and he smells like the baby lotion we use after his bath and her. “I’m sorry you feel bad,” I tell him.
“He’s not pulling at his ears or complaining of anything. I think it’s just a virus, but I could be wrong.”
“We’ll watch him to see if he gets worse. Our pediatrician is open on Sundays for on-call sick visits only, or I can take him in on Monday.”
“Are you hungry, Cam? How about a popsicle?” she offers.
“Yum,” he says, and we both smile.
“I saw that there were some Pedialyte popsicles in the freezer. I’ll get one. Do you need anything?”
“Not right now, but I plan to dive into the soup in a little bit,” I tell her.
“It was good, but he didn’t eat much of it,” she says, her brow furrowing.
“Thank you for trying. Sloane, you’ve gone out of your way to make him feel better. He doesn’t eat much when he’s not feeling well.”
“I know that about kids, but it’s different when it’s yo—one that you’re close to,” she quickly changes her words. Her eyes soften when she looks at Camden. “I’ll be right back, buddy,” she tells him, and darts off for the kitchen.
She’s back a few minutes later, handing me a bottle of water and offering Camden the popsicle wrapped in a paper towel. Instead of taking it from her, he opens his mouth, and she gives him a bite, which is more like a lick.
“Cold,” he says, and finally sits up in my lap and reaches for the popsicle.
“Thanks for this.” I hold up the water before screwing off the cap and taking a long drink.
“I hope he’s better for trick-or-treating next weekend.”
“I’m sure he will be. Just a little cold, right, bud?” My son ignores me as he sucks on his popsicle.
“Did I tell you that everyone is going with us? And they’re all dressing up?”
“Everyone as in…?”
“I mean, everyone. I even texted Foster and got him on board to come with us as himself. I figured it would be easier to get him to go that way.”
“What’s everyone else dressing up as?”
“Reid, Bellamy, and Coral are going as a momma, daddy, and baby cow.” She grins excitedly. “They’re adorable. Landry and Rowan are going to be peanut butter and jelly,” she says, barely containing her laughter. “It’s hilarious, and the way Landry is always hungry, it’s perfect for them.”
“That’s classic,” I tell her. “Landry is going to play that off perfectly, I’m sure.”