Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Well, this has been the best birthday,” Carl says, after opening the final gift.
“Happy Birthday,” we all say at once.
Cam moves to the couch, crawls up in my lap, and rubs his eyes. “You tired, bud?” I ask him.
“Swoan, book.”
Sloane chuckles. “We like our bedtime stories, don’t we?” she asks him, and he nods. “We should get him to bed.” She stands and hugs her dad, then her mom.
“Thank you for having us, and for all of the special accommodations you made for Camden. I truly appreciate you welcoming us into your home, especially on such a special day.”
Nancy waves me off, and she and Sloane move toward the front door. “She’s been smiling more lately. Even over the phone, I can hear it,” Carl tells me.
“She’s special,” I tell him. I should say to him that I’m in love with her, but she needs to hear those words from me first.
“She is. Take care of her.” His tone is light, but there’s so much meaning behind it. Not a threat. Not at all. Just a father, telling the man with whom his daughter is dating to keep her heart safe.
“Always,” I assure him. It’s the best I can do right now, but one day, I’ll be back in this living room, asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. It’s too soon, but I know she’s it. She’s ours, and we’re keeping her forever.
Chapter Twenty
Sloane
* * *
“How do you feel about me picking up a costume for Camden for Halloween today?” I ask Baker. We’ve just finished breakfast, and I’m getting ready to meet the girls for a day of shopping. It’s a bye week for the team, and we’re taking full advantage of some overdue girl time.
“Shit, is it that time already?” he asks.
“Close enough. It’s the first Saturday in October. We have a few weeks yet, but I thought while I was out, I could pick one up. I know that Bellamy is going to be looking for Coral’s.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Any preferences on what to dress him up as?”
“Not really. You know him as well as I do. I’m sure anything you pick will be perfect.”
“I’m going to grab him some new winter boots and some lounge wear. He’s growing like a weed these days.”
“He’s going to be big and strong like his daddy,” Baker says, puffing out his chest.
“I mean, tall, yes,” I joke.
He grumbles, and the next thing I know, he’s lifted me into his arms bridal-style, smirking down at me. “Strong, too,” he says, his voice husky as he kisses me.
“Cam, kiss.” Camden comes racing into the room.
Baker chuckles, kisses me one more time, then sets me back on my feet. I crouch down and open my arms for Camden, and he hugs me tightly, giving me a sloppy kiss. “Thank you. A big hug and a kiss. I feel so special,” I tell him, brushing his hair out of his eyes. “You need a haircut,” I tell him.
“I’ll take him today while you’re gone. That’s one less thing for you to worry about.”
“I don’t mind taking him.”
Baker waves me off. “We’re going to grab haircuts and then meet the guys for lunch. Probably at Landry’s, to avoid being photographed. It’s wild this time of year. You ladies need to be mindful of your surroundings.”
“Yes, dear,” I tease. “For the most part, the media leaves us alone. Sometimes during the season, they track us, especially if we’re all together. It’s been forever since we’ve all been out, so that they might get a couple of shots of us today.” I shrug. It’s not a big deal. It’s something we’ve all learned to deal with since the guys became a big part of our lives. Not to mention that Corie and Rowan also both work for the team.
“I hate that. Just be careful, okay?” he asks.
“We will be,” I assure him.
“Swoan, cayful,” Camden repeats.
“You, little man, are the sweetest,” I say, placing kisses all over his cheeks, which makes him giggle.
“What about me? Can I get some of those kisses?”
“You be good for Daddy, and I’ll see you soon, okay?” I ask Camden.
“Bye-bye.” He waves and takes off running to the living room to play with his trucks.
I stand and walk toward Baker. “You feeling left out, Daddy Sin?” I tease.
“When my girl is giving all my kisses away, yes.”
“To your son.”
He shrugs, and I laugh.
“I’ll make it up to you,” I promise.
He pulls me into a hug. “I’m holding you to that,” he whispers huskily.
“All right, I'd better go before I let you boys derail my plans.”
“Have fun. Be safe.”
“We will. I’ll see you later. Bye, Cam!” I call out.
“Swoan, bye!” he yells, and my heart is so damn full I think it might burst.
“That’s adorable,” Amanda says, and we all turn to look. Bellamy is holding up a fairy costume.