Page 57 of Breakaway

Dayton

Acold front came in overnight, and the last thing I want to do is leave my nice, warm bed to go freeze my balls off at the stadium and fend off heckles from a bunch of teenage boys. Heaving myself upright, I sigh dramatically, wondering how big of a pussy it’d make me if I called in sick. I miss my girl tagging along, and my asshole players have certainly picked up on my shift in mood since she’s been absent while getting Hudson settled in. Hoping a hot shower will aid in waking me up, I make quick work of scrubbing myself clean, knowing I’ll need a few extra minutes to start a pot of coffee.

Col and Raiden are already up and moving around by the time I make it downstairs. We speak in grunts while getting our shit ready for the day, not a single one of us a fan of early mornings. I toss a few protein bars in my gym bag and fill a thermos with some freshly brewed dark roast. I’m going to need the caffeine boost, considering the physical exertion I’ll be doing before classes even start and the stack of papers I’ve yet to grade. I say a quick goodbye to the guys, thankful I had the forethought to hit the remote start on my Jeep when an icy blast of air rushes over me the second I step outside.

I’m practically sprinting through the courtyard when an unexpected but beautiful fucking sight comes into view. Andi’s carefully navigating her front steps with Hudson situated on her hip. Thankfully, they’re both bundled up, my butterfly wearing the same beanie I placed on her head several weeks back. A primal feeling makes my dick twitch at seeing her clothed in something of mine. The image of her in nothing but one of my gym tanks–the armholes stretched and giving me a fantastic view of her tits, that sweet little belly tenting the fabric–is so pornographic, I have to bite back a groan. Fuck. I don't even know what kind of kink that is.

“Butterfly,” I practically growl, rushing forward to help her down the last step. The cool air causes her breath to fog, making it more obvious how winded she is. “What the hell are the two of you doing outside?”

“Hoping to catch you before you left,” she huffs out. “Would it be okay if we join you? We had another rough night, and I think a change of scenery might help us recalibrate.”

“You never have to ask; I want you with me all the time. Wherever I am, you’re always welcome.” I watch her pupils dilate, fascinated by the effect my words alone are having on her.

“Come on, let’s get the two of you out of the cold.” I reach for Hudson, relieved when he comes easily and allows Andi to walk unencumbered. I slip the small backpack she's carrying with all of his necessities from her shoulder and place it on mine. I still take her hand, not wanting her to slip from the frost covering the dead as fuck grass littering the courtyard.

“We need to grab Hudson’s car seat real quick. I made sure to hit the unlock button on Briggs’ SUV,” Andi comments.

“No need,” I tell her, opening the back door of the Jeep and revealing the one I purchased a week ago. “Got my own.” Andi’s lips part, her face awash with shock, but did she really think I’d claim her as mine and not include Hudson in that? It’s honestly a bit shocking how easily I’ve accepted what loving her would mean, but I’m beginning to think that it’s not so much a choice as it is compulsory. I’ve never given much thought to settling down, but now I can’t imagine my life with anyone else. It’s Andi or no one.

“Why would you buy a car seat?” she questions, those gorgeous, two-toned eyes trying to pry the answer from my head as she watches me buckle Hudson in, ensuring his chest clip is where it’s supposed to be, according to the YouTube video I watched when doing the installation.

“I think you already know the answer to that, Butterfly.” I steer her towards the passenger side, her body on autopilot as she cycles through all the possibilities of what that could mean. But there’s really only one option: I want her–in every way, shape, and form. No exclusions. I close the door and head to the driver’s side, then crank the heat up once we’re on the road. I make a pit stop at what’s become our favorite bakery, blindly passing Hudson a sugary sweet donut that’ll have him bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day.

“Thanks for that,” Andi snarks, an indecent as fuck moan escaping her as she takes a bite of her frosted blueberry scone. When she licks the icing from her fingers, I nearly run us off the road. “He definitely won’t be taking a nap later on.” She sounds exhausted, like she was secretly counting down the seconds until she could rest while he did.

“I’m sure Briggs will be happy to keep him occupied so you can take a break,” I tell her, making a mental note to send him a text and let him know that Andi could use a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

“If Hudson will even tolerate being separated from me for that long,” she mumbles wearily, glancing back at the little guy, a smile tugging at her lips at whatever she sees.

“I actually have a theory about why he’s been so clingy recently,” I state, hoping I don’t sound like an idiot for having done some research.

“Yeah?” The hopeful lilt in Andi’s voice bolsters my confidence, so I forge ahead and explain the information I came across.

“Your due date is quickly approaching, and kids tend to sense when there’s about to be a disturbance.”

“Like animals do?” she questions, her brows drawing together in contemplation.

“Yeah, kinda like animals.” I smile, completely fucking enamored with this woman. “A lot of parents notice shifts in behavior when there’s a new baby on the way. They’re reacting to a change they don’t understand, and their emotions reflect that.”

“How’d you figure this out?” Andi spins to face me as I put the Jeep in park, giving me her full attention.

“Baby books.” My simplistic answer clearly catches her off guard, so I take the opportunity to exit the vehicle and go about gathering my and Hudson’s bags, then quickly unbuckle the wiggling toddler.

“You gonna play football one day, little guy?” I tickle his ribs, loving the smile that stretches his chubby cheeks.

When Andi rounds the back of the Jeep, I take her hand in mine and start towards the field. Several of the guys are already here, but we still have a few minutes before we’re set to start. With Hudson on my hip and my butterfly’s dainty fingers intertwined with my own, I feel my chest expand with pride that I get to call them mine, even if Andi hasn’t come to accept that yet. I’ve just placed my gym bag on the sideline bench when a high-pitched voice shouts my name from across the field.

“Fuck.” I panic, pulling Andi closer, my hand sliding around to cradle her baby bump. Meri-Beth sprints towards us, her eyes pinging between the three of us in confusion.

“Dayton!” She has to stop and catch her breath, then aims a beaming smile at me. The prick of Andi’s nails digging into the back of my hand makes me smile. That’s right, baby. No one but you gets to smile at your man like that. “I was wondering if you planned to stop by the fundraising breakfast the PTO is orchestrating this morning? I could save you a seat.” Her smile turns saccharine, but nothing about this woman appeals to me. I’ve got all I could ever want right here in my arms.

“Sorry, I have to take my family home afterward.” I politely decline the offer, hoping she takes the hint for what it is: a rejection, like the many that came before this one.

“Your family?” Meri-Beth sputters, glancing at the image we present with new eyes.

“Yes,” I state emphatically, ignoring the way my butterfly is shifting nervously from one foot to the other. “This is Andi and Hudson.” She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it, repeating the process several times, as if she’s lost for words. Her gaze drops to where my hand is resting protectively over Andi’s stomach before taking a step back.

“Oh!” Her shaky voice belies how ruffled she is, but I’ve never given this woman a single reason to think I’m interested in anything more than a working relationship, and even that’s pushing it. We have no reason to interact outside of the rare occasion our paths cross in the break room. In fact, I’ve politely declined every advance she’s made, so I’m not sure how I could’ve been more clear about my lack of feelings. “I had no idea. Congratulations!” Meri-Beth turns and rushes back in the direction she came from, not giving me a chance to say anything more, which is preferable, honestly.