Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Easton
It’s been over a week since our visit to the zoo. We had six straight home games, one three-day away stint, and now another day off.
So we took Tanner to the pediatrician to get a checkup and did errands.
Errands. I’m not an errand guy, but I guess maybe now I am. We got diapers, grocery shopped, and even picked up new clothes for Tanner since he’s growing out of the stuff I bought him weeks ago.
Now, Tanner is asleep in his crib, and Hadley is napping on the couch, while I’m sitting in the kitchen wrapping my head around the turn my life has taken.
My phone vibrates on the table, and I glance at the screen. I wondered when my sister would reach out.
So… baby… wife… what’s next? A dog?
Took you way too long.
I was giving you time to process, and I had to finish growing your niece. Be happy, it’s the only reason mom has stayed away this long. She’s waiting for me to deliver. The way I see it, you owe me.
When is the little one coming?
Feels like never. I’ve walked, I’ve eaten spicy food, and I’ve fucked. Still, she won’t come.
I can do without the visual of you and Finn.
Who is this Hadley? She’s beautiful. I don’t remember you liking brunettes.
She’s not wrong. I haven’t gone for a brunette since Kenzie. There’s probably a reason for that if I cared to dig into it.
Guess I don’t have a type.
How is my nephew? Based on the pics I’ve seen from mom, he’s such a cutie! You need to post to the cousin chat. They’re all pissed off at you.
Me? Why?
You haven’t talked to anyone. They’re trying to give you space, but they’re getting antsy up here.
My family is huge. I have twenty-four first cousins, and that doesn’t include their spouses.
Plus, sixteen aunts and uncles. The Baileys are a big deal in Lake Starlight, and although I’m a big deal in Chicago, the attention feels different when there are over three million people here versus a fraction of that in Lake Starlight.
I’ll send something. Hold the line for me a little longer. I’m figuring things out.
I guess I’ll do your dirty work… again.
Thanks :)
But mom is going to corner you for a wedding celebration here after season. Prepare yourself.
I start to type and delete. That won’t be happening. I don’t know how I’ll put it off, but I’ll have to. I don’t want to rope any more of my family into this charade than necessary.
Hello?
I gotta go. Thanks Harp. Give Hollis a kiss and let me know when your mini-me makes her appearance.
Why do you say mini-me?
She’s clearly as stubborn as you are since she’s refusing to come out.
Oh wait, Finn is going to fuck me again to see if—
I turn off my screen, but it lights up a second later.
LMAO… love you. (kissing emoji)
I place my phone on the table again, stand, and look over the edge of the couch.
There’s nothing angelic looking about Hadley right now, and still, I’d do just about anything to have her. She sleeps like Tanner with her legs open like a frog and her arms above her head.
What would be the harm if I woke her up by kissing her?
A lot, dickhead. She’s not yours. Not off paper.
I go back and grab my phone to send another text.
Meet me on the roof?
Decker: Sure, I have a lead for you.
I grab a beer from the fridge and quietly leave my condo, walking up the stairs to the rooftop bar that overlooks Webber Field. There’s no one here since it’s not a game day.
I’ve just sat in the last row of the stands when Decker arrives with his own beer.
He sits a seat down from me, propping his ankle on his knee. “What’s up?”
“What’s your lead?” I take a sip of my beer.
“A friend of mine was with us that night, and the woman was someone he works with.” He hands me a piece of paper. “Here’s her name and number.”
I stare down at the chicken scratch.
Lila Mercer… doesn’t ring a bell at all.
“Thanks. Did you ask him if she was pregnant?”
Decker shakes his head. “Wasn’t sure you’d want it getting out that you’re trying to track down Tanner’s mom. Figured he’d just think you were looking for another hookup or whatever.”
I nod. “Good thinking, thanks.”
“I’m not sure I can help you with any of the others, but at least it’s one.”
I cringe. “I feel like a sleaze, you know? I mean, who doesn’t know who he’s slept with?”
It’s been a shitty feeling, made even worse having to talk to Hadley about it when, in reality, she knew the score with me. She knew who I was. But it’s embarrassing as shit to have to talk about it with people. My mom would be so ashamed.
“East, man, you didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t cheat on anyone. You didn’t lead anyone on. They were all willing participants. And honestly, you shouldn’t have to go searching to figure out who she is.”
“I just…”
“Is it Hadley?” He takes a pull from his beer.
“What about her?” I glance at him.
He tilts his head. “None of us are stupid.”
My forehead wrinkles. “We have to put on an act.”
“Not sure tongue through the netting is necessary.”
I don’t know how to answer him. He has a point. “I think it’s just sexual tension that’s still between us. Plus, I mean, Goldie… I don’t know the last time I’ve gone this long.”
He shakes his head. While I didn’t always go home with women, the mine-to-Decker ratios were heavily in favor of my end over his every time we went out.
“Maybe that’s it,” he says, staring at the empty stadium in front of us.
“What is it you want to say, but aren’t?”
He turns to face me and sets his beer near his feet.
“Listen… you put yourself in this position. You agreed to marry someone for an entire year and have her be your nanny. This isn’t something that you can just fuck up and move on, East. You have a son now, and he’s growing more and more attached to Hadley, especially since we’re in season and he’s spending a lot of time with her. ”
“And she’s great with him.”
“She is.” He holds up his hands. “There’s no refuting that. We all thought for sure you two would be lost and fumbling your way through it.”
I open my mouth, but he continues.
“That’s not the case, and I know I’m not one to talk. Penelope and I moved fast. But I’ve loved her since I was a kid, and you fucked around with Hadley for two years without ever thinking about having a commitment with her.”
Again when I open my mouth, he cuts me off.
“Just make sure whatever you want to do is for the right reason—for everyone’s sake, but most of all Tanner’s.”
I release a breath and stare at the perfectly manicured field. It’s the one place in my life I don’t second-guess anything. I move on instinct and training and never question my decisions. Most of all, if I make a mistake, I wash it—but I can’t just wash it with Tanner or Hadley.
She’s doing more work than me in our arrangement. The only way being married to her affects me is I can’t fuck anyone else, and I’m lying to my family. Her schedule and life are completely different than before all this. She’s the one carrying us.
“I’m not saying it’s wrong to want her. Or even that feelings don’t change. But you’re a two-feet-first kinda guy, East, and in this situation, you gotta dip your toes. I know it’s not in your nature, but…”
He’s right. I’ve never tested the waters in my life. And I’m not sure Hadley has either, which is probably one of the reasons I’ve always felt this kinship with her. We were one and the same, but now that we’re attached to one another for a year, our relationship is changing. We’re changing.
I can’t stop looking at her. Hell, seeing her with Tanner is complete torture.
She loves him, I see it. Then the pretzel at the zoo, her wiping her finger on my chin.
I wanted to take her finger and suck it.
Not only do I want her in my bed more with every day that passes, but I discover something new I like about her every day too.
I’m quiet for a beat, lost in my head.
“Cute pics at the zoo. Hazel’s pissed you didn’t ask us to go.”
I roll my eyes. “I was going to—”
“But you wanted to be alone with Hadley and Tanner?” His eyebrows raise.
I nod.
“I told Penelope as much.”
“And she said?”
“Are you kidding me? I swear all the women are ready to make her an honorary member of our group whether you do or don’t stay married to her. They love her.”
What’s not to love? She’s amazing. Isn’t that the exact reason why I’m up here right now?
Decker picks up his beer and tips it back, finishing it off. “You can always sleep with her and see.”
“Really?” I whip my head toward him, hopeful.
“No,” he deadpans.
My shoulders sink. Too good to be true. But I do wonder if I slept with Hadley, would this weird tension when our eyes lock finally evaporate? I’m sure she’s never gone this long without sex before either. She must be on the brink like me.
He shakes his head. “Your dick stays out of it until you’re sure.”
“But he doesn’t like to be left out.”
Decker doesn’t laugh at my joke. No surprise, he never entertains my deflection.
“Fine, dad, I get the point.”
He stands. “There’s a reason you called me and not Foster. Remember that.”
“You’re my best friend.”
“You already knew it was a bad idea to sleep with your fake wife-slash-nanny. You just needed someone else to tell you. That’s why I’m standing here right now. Good luck on the mom search. Let me know how it pans out for you.”
He walks down the steps, and my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Hadley: Hey, where are you?
On the rooftop.
I hate to ask you this, but do you mind having dinner with my mom tonight? She’s on me and just sent me your schedule with a question mark on today.
I huff. It’s the least I can do for her.
Sure. I’ll be down in a second.
Thanks. I’ll fake sick mid dinner and we can leave early.
I don’t respond, finishing my beer. We’ll stay as long as we have to.
I owe her that much.
Even if it kills me a little more to pretend to be her husband—touching her and kissing her. It’s like the most torturous form of foreplay I’ve ever been a part of.