Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Callie
“How do you know about that?”
Hayes.
“It doesn’t matter, but I do know you need five big names to interview for your podcast, and I can get them for you.” His smug smirk says he knows he’s piqued my interest.
The whole Jerry thing has me majorly creeped out, but I can look for a new place. Maybe stay with Hayes and Leighton for a little while, although I’d hate to disturb their and the kids’ lives.
“You’re bribing me?” I cross my arms.
I’ve already talked to Jarrah about my client list and the fact that, other than my brother—maybe Easton or Decker, who she thought would be too much of the same thing—I have no one. I don’t know any celebrities, and I’m not popular enough to get the kind of people they want.
“I would have preferred you to just agree to it, but apparently I’m a desperate man and will resort to bribery.”
Many women in my position would be jumping for joy.
I’m certain most people don’t know this side of him even exists.
Sure, I was physically attracted to Foster and that obviously led to me sleeping with him, but had I known he was like this, I would’ve been crushing on him hard. If it’s not all an act.
“The bad boy of baseball? The man who has never had a serious relationship wants his pregnant one-night stand to move in with him? Explain.”
I gulp down some of my water because my mouth is dry from the thought of sharing space with this man, but at the same time, he’s offering what I need to make this podcast thrive so I can raise this little one inside me.
“I know you don’t know much about my past, and I’m not getting into it all today, but you know that Decker and I were raised separately since we were eleven years old.
Even before that, there was never a real sense of family in my life.
It’s important to me that I give my kid a different kind of life.
A life where their parents get along and are at least friends.
I obviously never intended for you to get pregnant, and I never thought I’d find myself in this position, but I always told myself that if I did, I’d never make my kid choose.
I’d always make my kid feel like they were a part of a family unit, no matter the circumstance.
So, I want to spend this time getting to know you, become maybe friends. ”
“Friends?” I hope he can’t hear the disappointment in my tone.
Not that I think being friends isn’t a great idea, but I have this stupid attraction to Foster I haven’t been able to shake. When he picked up my lingerie earlier, I almost said let me model it for you, which would have been the worst idea ever.
“Yeah.” He runs his finger across my counter. “I’d like to tell our baby that I love Mommy. I might not be in love with her, and she might be with someone else, but I do love her.”
My heart squeezes. I think I’m one of the rare few who gets to see this side of Foster Davis. People would never believe he can be so sentimental. Now I’m more curious than ever as to what happened between him and Decker and what their childhoods were like.
“And it doesn’t have anything to do with you being able to dictate what I eat, if I’ve eaten enough, or if I’m getting enough sleep?”
He chuckles, and those blue eyes that are the same color as Lake Michigan on a sunny summer day sear into mine.
He looks so sincere. “I shouldn’t start our friendship with a lie, so yes, I do like the idea of knowing you’re doing okay.
I feel like I should be the one to get you your cravings and get you a blanket or draw you a bath.
I mean, like you said, you’re doing all the hard work here. ”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “You’re killing me. Who are you right now?”
He shrugs. “Your baby’s daddy.”
“But?”
“Callie, I don’t want to bribe you to move in with me, but I can’t stomach you living here with that creep of a landlord.
I meant what I said. We’re in each other’s lives forever now, and it’s really important to me that we get along.
Form some sort of connection.” His gaze falls to the ultrasound picture. “For this little one.”
“We could have weekly chats instead. A bullet-point list of what we should share.”
He slides off the stool and walks into the kitchen, leaning on the counter opposite me, and crosses his arms. “I just threw a huge truth between us. I’m showing you a side of myself I share with no one, not even your brother.
I’m doing it for our baby, so I’d like you to consider it.
Move in with me, and I’ll get you five big names. ”
I’m still trying to wrap my head around how different he is from what I expected. “Will you be one of them?”
I know the answer before he even opens his mouth, but I have to try because if I could get this Foster Davis on If I’m Honest, it would get a lot of attention.
He shakes his head. “Sorry, that’s a deal I can’t make. You and the baby”—he nods at my stomach—“are the only two who will see this side of me. But I promise I’ll get you people better than me. After all, your success only helps my child.”
My shoulders fall, and our eyes meet, neither of us looking away.
He’s waiting patiently for my answer. A part of me says this is a very bad idea.
I’d be depending on someone again, and it will most likely end in heartbreak, but he’s offering a lot.
The five guests plus getting to know a side of him that I’d only get behind his closed condo door.
And don’t I owe it to my little one to at least try?
“Okay, but I’m putting down some rules.”
His eyes widen, and I kind of like the fact that I’ve surprised him.
“Lay it out for me.” He widens his legs and stares at me intently.
I inhale to keep my libido at bay. “No women at the apartment.”
“No men either.”
“No sexual partners at all?”
“Deal.” He nods.
“You can’t be asking me how much I’ve eaten or if I slept well. No papa bear vibes.”
He chuckles. “Sure, I will not care about your well-being.”
“Good.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Anything else?”
“You have to be clothed at all times.”
He smirks at me. “So I can’t sleep in the nude?”
A full zap of electricity ignites through me when I think about him being steps away from me and completely naked under a thin sheet.
“Behind your bedroom door, but not in communal places.”
“Fine. And just so you know, you can feel free to be naked in communal places. I have zero problem with it.”
I roll my eyes, but then I point at him, hating that I have to make this rule but needing to. “No flirting.”
“Ah…” He bites the inside of his lip. “I’m not sure I can do that one.”
“Flirt with your girls on the road.”
His gaze flows down my body, and a little voice reminds me that I’m playing with fire. “There won’t be any girls on the road until we decide on a different arrangement at some point down the road.”
I pick up my water and down more of it to coat my desert of a throat. “That’s unnecessary.”
“Are you going to be sleeping with someone?” His jaw clenches, and his eyebrows are now straight slashes over intense eyes.
I really wish I hadn’t noticed that. It brings to the forefront this attraction that still lingers between us.
I think we’re both doing our best to ignore it, and I really hope that moving in together doesn’t make it a powder keg ready to explode, ruining everything we’re trying to accomplish for our baby.
“No,” I say.
“Why?”
Of course he’d ask. “It would feel weird to have another man in my body so close to the baby when he’s not their father.”
“Is that an invitation?” He smiles and laughs. “I’m kidding.”
I decide to breeze right by that particular landmine. “No other men while I’m pregnant but expect some sex toys to be delivered to your place.”
“As long as you buy me some.” He grins again.
“I’ll make sure to stock up your supplies of lube and tissues.”
“Keep your moaning at a minimum in case I think you need me to come in and rescue you.”
My body flushes hot. I need to send this conversation in another direction. “Anyway. Do you have any rules of your own?”
He pushes off the counter and steps toward me. “Only one.” I wait for him to speak, but he hems and haws for a moment. “When I have a bad game, don’t try to cheer me up. I’ll be in a shit mood, but by morning, I’ll be okay.”
I nod, remembering how Hayes used to be like that. Lately he walks out of the stadium completely fine when they lose. Well, not jumping for joy, but he doesn’t let it ruin his night anymore. Maybe it’s the Leighton effect.
“Deal.”
“Sorry, one more.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“Stay the hell away from Decker.”
My eyes widen, but he doesn’t add anything else. “I can’t just ignore your brother.”
“I don’t want to find you in his condo. You can be polite but not best friends with him.”
Friendly Foster has disappeared, and I see how serious and important this is to him.
“He’s the baby’s uncle.” I run my hands over my flat stomach.
“Please, Callie.” The strain in his voice makes it feel as though something’s squeezing my chest.
I reluctantly nod, hoping one day I’ll understand how two brothers, twins at that, can hold such disdain for each other. “Okay, but if he wants to help me carry groceries up three flights of stairs, I’m going to say thank you. But you’ll never find me in his condo. Is that a deal?”
Foster nods and claps his hands. “Let’s pack your bags.” He pushes off the counter and walks down the hallway into my bedroom.
I follow and mumble, patting my stomach, “Daddy is a very complicated man, but he’s ours.”
When I get to the bedroom, he’s already dug my suitcase out of the closet.
“I don’t have to go tonight.”
“Yes, you do, and we’ll shop for more…” He looks toward the empty drawers. “Stuff for you too.”
I laugh and fall on the bed. “Foster Davis, can you not say bras and panties?”
“I’m being polite here, Callie. Maybe you should go shopping with Leighton after all.”
I prop my head in my palm. “You don’t want to pick them out for me?”
His eyebrows raise. “You’re breaking one of your rules already.”
“Ugh. Sorry.” This is going to be a lot harder than I thought.
I get up off the bed and pack a few of my things. I hope this isn’t the colossal mistake that my gut is telling me it is. I have to keep thinking about the five guests and that I get to try to figure out exactly who Foster Davis is.
“So, do you want to play rock, paper, scissors for it?”
He sits on the edge of the bed. “For what?”
“Who tells my brother I’m your new roomie.”
I laugh as his shoulders fall. I guess he forgot about that part.