Chapter 30
It’s difficult to keep pretending you're alone when an entire team disagrees.
Terri
By the time I park at the stadium at Coastal State University, my heart is banging in my chest. This is a bad idea.
I’m entering Nolan’s world by attending the practice. This is not me ensuring I don’t get attached to someone guaranteed to leave the island.
I wipe those thoughts from my mind. I told Nolan I would try to have a real relationship with him. I’m not breaking my promise. Even though it scares the hell out of me.
I place my hand on my stomach. I’ve got you, little mermaid. No matter what, I’ve got you.
“You okay?” Dad asks.
I nearly startle. I forgot he was in the passenger seat.
“I’m fine.”
He nods to my stomach.
“Sorry. It’s a pregnant woman thing.”
“As long as you’re okay. Or as okay as you can get considering…” He trails off with a nod to the stadium.
I frown at him. “What?”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know you’re scared to attend this practice.”
I bristle. “Why would I be scared of a practice?”
“Because it means you’re giving this relationship with Nolan a chance.”
“I’ve had relationships with men before.”
He snorts. “All superficial. You never let them inside. And you certainly never introduced them to me after you moved out.”
“Nolan insisted on meeting you since he’s the baby’s dad.”
He lifts a brow. “I know you, kiddo. You would have shut down any other man faster than a mermaid can swim away from a pirate.”
I don’t have a response since he’s right.
“There’s nothing superficial about this relationship.”
“Because we’re having a baby together.”
His eyes narrow on me. “Don’t diminish what you’re building here. Love doesn’t come around that often. Don’t miss out.”
His parting shot made, he climbs out of my car.
I inhale a deep breath and force all the thoughts whirling around in my mind away. I’m here for Nolan. I want to show him I support him. The way he supports me. It’s not a big deal.
I join Dad at the front of the car and he leads us to the stadium.
A guard stands in front of the entrance with his arms crossed over his chest. “Today is a closed practice session. Family only.”
I retreat. “I’m not family.”
Dad grabs my elbow and pulls me forward. “This is Terri Jordan. She should be on the list of family.”
He checks his list. “Yep. Got you down as Terri and Charlie Jordan.” He waves us forward. “Enjoy your morning.”
Dad keeps his hand on my lower back as we walk through the building. He’s not a stupid man. He knows I’m ready to run. This is why I brought him. To make sure I didn’t chicken out.
When we enter the stadium, I’m surprised by how many people are here. I scan the area.
“Where should we sit? What are the best seats?” My knowledge of football is seriously limited considering I’m carrying the Seals’ star quarterback’s child.
Dad doesn’t answer. He’s too busy watching the field. The players are lined up. Nolan shouts some numbers and then the ball is in his hand. He dances backward as he studies the field. He lifts his arm and the ball sails through the air before landing in Tanner’s hands.
“Touchdown!” Tanner shouts.
I snort. “Even I know he’s not in the end zone.”
“Again!” Coach Knox yells from the sideline in front of us.
Nolan glances over at him but he freezes when he notices me. Knox looks over his shoulder. His gaze catches mine.
“Water break!”
Nolan rips his helmet off and jogs over to us. He grins at me. “You made it.”
He leans over the fence to kiss my cheek. He’s hot and sweaty. It should put me off. Instead, it makes me think of wrinkled sheets and a wrecked bed. Guessing by the smirk on his face, he knows exactly what I’m thinking. I narrow my eyes at him and he laughs.
He shakes Dad’s hand. “Thanks for bringing her.”
“I wanted to see what you’re made of on the field.”
“Do you want to meet the rest of the team?”
Dad clears his throat. “I don’t want to impose.”
“You can’t impose. You’re family.” He whistles before motioning for his friends to join us.
“Terri, Charlie, this is Gage Edwards, Tanner Long, Corbin Cox, and Brock Porter.”
The largest man I’ve ever seen pushes his way to the front of the group. “Don’t forget me,” he says before offering me his hand. “I’m Lamar. My wife can’t wait to meet you.”
My mouth drops open and I stutter. “W-w-what?”
Nolan pushes him away. “I told you not to stress her out.”
“How is inviting her to a group chat stressing her out?”
Group chat? I can handle a group chat. Maybe. If I forget everyone in the chat is in a relationship with someone the team Nolan plays on.
“Ahem!” I clear my throat as loud as possible. “What group chat?” Nolan purses his lips. I point a finger at him. “You’re not in charge of me. I can decide if something is stressing me out without you acting as my gatekeeper.”
“Nolan’s in trouble,” Tanner sings, but everyone ignores him.
“The wives have a group chat,” Lamar explains. “I thought since you’re bringing the next little Seal into the world, you’d want to join. It’s a great group. My wife claims she couldn’t live without it. They can help you figure out all kinds of pregnancy shit.”
I place my hand on my stomach and glare at Nolan. “You didn’t tell me your entire team knows about our little mermaid.”
“Don’t blame him,” Brock says. “May found out. She told my son, Jace. He can’t keep a secret.”
Dad elbows me. “You should join this chat group. Might be good for you.”
What if I join and Nolan leaves me? What then? I’ll make new friends and then they’ll choose his side. It’ll only make things worse.
“Take a chance, kiddo,” Dad whispers. “Not everyone in this world is going to leave you. I didn’t. Trust Nolan not to either.”
It’s not that easy. I can’t snap my fingers and forget how the person who was supposed to love me most in the world didn’t stay for me. How she was more concerned about nursing her heartache than being my mom.
I glance down at my still flat stomach. Don’t worry, little mermaid. I won’t abandon you. No matter what.
Dad snatches my phone out of my pocket and hands it to Lamar.
“This is exciting,” Lamar mumbles as he types a number in my phone. His big hands appear ridiculous typing on my phone, but he doesn’t have any issues. “The quarterback who’s always taking care of everyone else finally has someone to take care of him.”
His gaze sharpens on me. “You are taking care of him, aren’t you?”
“I…uh…” Before I have a chance to admit that Nolan is the caretaker, Nolan tackles him.
Nolan straddles him on the ground. “I warned you what would happen if you stress her out. She has enough stress. You don’t add to it.”
His gaze scans the group of football players circling him. “None of you do. Do you understand me?”
“Nolan!” I shout. He doesn’t respond. “Nolan!”
His gaze meets mine. “Get off him. He’s your teammate. I’m not letting our situation come between you and your teammates. Or your career. This is your year, remember? The year the Seals go all the way.”
Lamar pushes Nolan off him. “I like her. My wife and her are going to be best friends.” He stands and smiles at me. “Welcome to the Seals family,” he says before lumbering off.
A whistle blows. “Playtime’s over, kids. Back to work!” Coach Knox shouts.
“I’ll see you later,” I tell Nolan.
He jogs off but stops. “Where are your supplies?”
I lift up my purse.
He frowns. “Do you have water? Crackers? Sunscreen? Hair ties? Enough—”
“I’m fine.”
He ignores me to address my dad. “If she starts feeling dizzy or shows any symptoms of heat exhaustion, I expect you to handle it.”
“I’ve got this handled, kiddo. You get back to work before your coach has an aneurysm.”
“Thanks, Charlie.” He winks at me. “Have fun. I’ll see you later.”
I want to remind him I’m not a child, but he hurries off before I get a chance.
Dad wraps an arm around my shoulders. “He’s worried about you. He wants to take care of you. Let him. For once, let someone take care of you.”
“I let you take care of me.”
He guffaws. “When you arrived at my house when you were twelve years old, you were determined to not let anyone take care of you.”
After nearly two years of being shuffled from house to house, I wasn’t about to trust anyone or let anyone get close.
“Whatever,” I mutter. “Do we have assigned seats or can we sit anywhere?”
We find seats in the fifth row and settle in to watch the practice.
Nolan isn’t just the quarterback. He’s obviously the leader of the team. He appears happy. He truly loves the game and playing it.
Will he still be able to play once the little mermaid is born? He already cancelled a bunch of things in March when the baby’s due. Am I stealing his career away?