Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Easton
“Wait, let me read the letter again.” Callie swipes it out of my hand while we’re headed down the diaper aisle.
I’m too busy looking up and down the aisle and wondering how on Earth I’m supposed to pick which kind of diaper to put on this little guy.
I can read a pitcher’s release in half a second and time a ninety-five mile per hour fastball, but I can’t decide between the best for dryness, the best for skin irritation, and the best protection from a blowout. Fucking hell.
Thankfully, we’ve put Tanner in a stroller that Callie and Foster’s daughter, Ellis, already grew out of.
Callie clears her throat and reads, “‘East, this is Tanner. He is your son. I’m not in a position to take care of him the way he deserves, but I know you are. Please take care of him.’”
Why does she think I’m capable of taking care of a baby? Who the hell is she?
“Using East implies you had a close relationship with her.” Leighton grabs a package of diapers and tosses them into the cart Foster is pushing. He’s mostly smiling and laughing down at Ellis in the cart seat.
Of course our entire friend brigade thought it was their job to join us. Because apparently finding a surprise baby on your doorstep is a group activity now. Which I’m thankful for. Otherwise my wallet would be empty, and I’d be begging any mother to help me.
My only saving grace is Hayes and Decker got bribed by Monroe and Hazel to go to the toy section, and lately Lincoln shadows Hayes like a second baseman covering a steal.
“Keep your voice down, I do not need this in the gossip blogs.” I take the letter back from Callie and shove it in my pocket. One blurry photo of us, and it’ll be headline news before opening day.
“You think you’re gonna be able to keep this out of the press?” Foster glances at Callie, and they share a laugh at my expense.
“Which is the reason I’m pushing the stroller, right?” Penelope stares into the stroller as though Tanner were hers. She volunteered and looks so damn comfortable doing it. I haven’t felt this envious since Cade Reston got drafted before me.
The fact that we’re all here in the big box store shopping for baby supplies for what is apparently my kid crashes into me. My chest tightens, pushing all the air from my lungs. I grip the edge of a metal shelf and bend forward, trying to grab a breath.
“Hey, relax.” Foster puts his hand on my shoulder.
But the blackness is closing in around the edge of my vision.
I swear I’ve always used a condom. Not once did I deviate so that I could make sure I was never in this position, but somehow, here I am.
I listened to every safe-sex lecture in health class.
I followed the rules as though they were my religion, so how am I here with a kid I don’t even know is mine but most likely is? And his mother just abandoned him?
This is so fucked.
“Why don’t you guys go get the formula and stuff?” Foster says.
The women, the cart, and all the babies disappear down the aisle.
I slide to the floor, resting my back along the racks and bringing my knees up to my chest.
“I get it. This is another world. A world you never thought you’d be in.” Foster sits next to me.
Thank God it’s so late so there aren’t a lot of prying eyes on us. The last thing I need is someone filming this and uploading “MLB shortstop collapses in diaper aisle.” Imagine the rumor mill then.
“That’s the thing, I did want this, but I thought I’d be married and I would just take her lead. Now it’s all on me.”
He doesn’t say anything for a minute, but that’s Foster. I’m actually surprised he’s the one here giving me advice right now.
“Honestly, even women don’t know what they’re doing the first time around. It’s new for them too. Every day Callie and I are both navigating this with Ellis. And once we figure out what works, Ellis enters a new stage and we’re back to square one again.”
I turn to look at him. “It’s the start of the season. How the hell am I going to manage this?”
The season hasn’t even started yet, and I already feel like I’m behind in the count, playing a game I didn’t know I was a part of.
I’m not usually a help me fix this kind of guy. I like to solve my own problems. Help other people solve theirs. Maybe it’s because I come from such a big family that likes to butt their noses into everyone’s drama. Or maybe it’s the fact I’m the oldest.
Foster gives me sympathetic eyes. “I’m not gonna lie, the timing isn’t ideal. First, you gotta make sure he’s yours.”
I tilt my head because the kid has the same hint of auburn in his hair that my dad and I have. It’s not full on red, but the distinctive tint is there. That little streak of color twisted something in my gut when I saw him. A knowing in my gut tells me he might actually be mine.
But Foster has a point. There’s a chance that whoever left him isn’t completely sure he’s mine. What if it’s all a stunt to get money or clout?
“There’s always a chance. He’s what… probably six months old by the look of him, so let’s backtrack it.”
A hollow laugh escapes me. “You’re kidding, right? Who were you with fifteen months ago?”
His eyebrows rise.
“Stupid question,” I say. “But think before Callie how hard that would’ve been to pin down. Fifteen months ago means we were in the offseason.”
I think for a moment, and as embarrassing as it is to say, I’m the most active in the offseason. I get restless. I have too much time on my hands. I’m a single professional athlete, sue me.
“It could’ve been when I went to Cabo for my cousin’s bachelor party.”
“Or there’s still the chance he’s not yours. You need to get a paternity test.”
“Oh brother, found them.” Decker walks down the aisle, followed by Hayes, sans kids now.
“Heard you were having another meltdown.” Hayes sits across from me.
Decker joins him and extends his legs. “If you think about it, you’re the one who’s most qualified… or at least the most before these two had kids of their own. You’re more qualified than me.”
Nice of my best friend to boost my ego. We all know he’d be rocking this baby on the doorstep scenario while my heart rate is like a staccato beat.
In all honesty, I want to call my mom and fly her down here to help me navigate this. But if I tell her, then she tells my dad, then one family member after another will be calling, and I don’t want to talk about the fact that I got myself into a position I swore I would never be in.
“Goldie’s right, East. You have all those cousins. Surely you picked up a few things over the years.” Hayes bites his lower lip.
“Cut the bullshit, tell me the truth.” I don’t want my friends to spin this into some magical moment in my life.
I wait for them to admit how fucked I am. How my season is going to be trashed. And I’ll never be able to focus on the game, which means I’m probably done with my baseball career. This is why I wanted kids and a wife after I was done playing.
“You’ll handle it,” Foster says from next to me.
“You’re going to rock the dad thing,” Decker adds.
“All our kids love you the most,” Hayes says.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Decker’s head rocks back.
“Yeah, Ellis loves her daddy the mostest,” Foster says.
“Mostest?” we all question in unison.
“I’m talking about uncles.” Hayes shakes his head. “I’m Flora’s favorite, obviously.”
All three of us laugh.
“I think Leighton is her favorite,” Decker says.
“Fuck you, she’s a daddy’s girl.” Hayes crosses his ankles.
Decker sits up and looks me in the eye. “East, you got this, man. Sure, it’ll be a hard adjustment, and there’s a lot to figure out. First up—are you the father? But we’re all here for you.”
Just then, Monroe and Hazel stop at the end of the aisle and sigh as if they’ve been searching for us.
“What’s the matter?” Monroe asks.
They both run as if they’re in a game of tag and need to make me it, then skid to their knees next to me.
“They’re really making the most of staying up past bedtime,” Decker says to Hayes with a smirk.
“They’re never going to bed tonight,” Hayes agrees, and they both groan.
“Do you not love Tanner?” Monroe asks.
“He’s so cute. The cutest baby.” Hazel’s hands fly up in the air as though she can barely contain her excitement.
To them, this is exciting because they don’t have late-night feedings and diaper changes to figure out. Some type of childcare when I’m out on the road. A mother to track down. All they have to do is play peekaboo.
“Hey now, he’s not cuter than Ellis,” Foster says.
“She’s a girl,” Hazel says.
“Who’s cuter, Ellis or Flora?” Foster asks her, dead serious.
Hayes kicks Foster’s foot but then says, “Remember, Monroe, Flora is your sister.”
“Where are your moms?” Decker diverts the conversation, knowing it’s not headed in a good direction.
The two little girls get up, and just then we see the women walking by the end of the aisle with another cart full of things.
How much stuff do I need? Isn’t there a starter kit somewhere?
“Pen, Hazel, and Monroe.” Decker motions to the girls.
She waves her hand, and the girls actually listen.
Probably because they don’t understand why I’m so upset.
I’m the fun uncle. The one who’s always joking around and getting them in trouble with some stupid idea of mine.
Now I’m going to be responsible for someone full-time.
Not just a borrowed kid on a random afternoon before I go out for the night.
Decker, Hayes, and Foster all stand and look down at me.
Hayes offers his hand. “We’ve all been where you are.
” I quirk an eyebrow, and he chuckles. “Okay, not exactly, but faced with our own hard decisions. I mean, Foster knocked up my sister after a one-night stand. Leighton’s cousin died and left her three kids.
Deck…” He pauses, and we all look at Decker.
“Well, he couldn’t get out of his own damn way. ”
“There was more to it than that.” He holds Foster’s gaze for a moment, and none of us say anything.
“But you’re fucking Easton Kodiak Bailey. You’ve got this. If he ends up being yours, then you’re going to rock daddyhood.” Hayes pats me on the chest.
Decker and Foster each squeeze one of my shoulders, flanking either side as Hayes gives me a pep talk as though we’re in game seven of the World Series and the winning run relies on me getting a hit.
“You have all of us behind you, believing in you.” Hayes pokes me in the chest. “You were made for this moment, and you’re going to prove all the nonbelievers wrong…
you’re going to give them a big fuck you…
you have to believe in yourself right now!
Tell us, do you believe in yourself?” Hayes’s voice rises.
“Yeah.” I’ll go along with his little pep talk.
He has a point. I am Easton Kodiak fucking Bailey.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you.” Hayes cups his ear and bends closer.
Decker and Foster lean in too, and we close ranks around each other.
“Fuck yeah!”
Hayes faces me with a big smile. “There you go!” He hits me in the chest.
We’re all hyped up, and for the first time, I do believe that I can do this. I’m practically jumping up and down in place, revved up from my captain hyping me up, when I glance down the aisle to see all the kids and women staring at us with their eyebrows raised.
Lake sighs. “I am not with any of you.” She walks away, Lincoln following her.
“You about done now, boys, because I think Tanner is hungry.” Penelope is holding him in her arms.
And then all the doubts come crashing down again.