Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
But beneath his primal triumph, Seth was haunted by nagging fears that only grew louder in the bedroom’s silence.
Jesus, Cooper. Get your shit together.
Careful not to wake either of them, Seth slipped from the bed and padded to the dresser. He pulled on a pair of gym shorts and grabbed his phone, casting one last look at the tangle of limbs on the bed. Heavenly’s hair spilled across Beck’s chest, their faces peaceful in sleep. He was where he belonged; he knew that. So why did his chest feel tight with something that wasn’t quite panic…but still too close for comfort?
He needed to move. To sweat. To give his restless energy an outlet.
The tri-level house was quiet as Seth made his way to the bottom floor and into the large home gym. He scrolled through his phone until he found his workout playlist—driving rock that would help him focus on something other than the circular thoughts consuming him.
The punching bag hung in the corner like a patient enemy, waiting to absorb whatever he dished out. Seth wrapped his hands quickly, muscle memory from years of training taking over. The first punch landed with a satisfying thwack, vibrating up his arm and clearing some of the mental fog.
One-two. One-two-three.
Each combination felt better than the last, his body falling into the familiar rhythm. Sweat beaded his forehead as he increased the intensity, letting the physical exertion burn away the confusing tangle of emotions.
He was deep in the zone when his phone buzzed, the ringtone cutting through the loud music. Seth glanced at the screen and frowned. Liam O’Neill’s name flashed across the display.
“What the hell?” Seth muttered, pausing the music and answering the call. “Liam? It’s your wedding night. Shouldn’t you and Hammer be doing unspeakable things to your bride right about now?”
Liam’s rich laugh filled the speaker. “Well, hello to you too, Seth. And for your information, we just finished doing unspeakable things to her. Raine passed out, mate. Hammer’s getting us water. And I felt compelled to call you.”
Seth unwrapped his hands, suddenly wary. When his Irish friend felt “compelled” to do anything, it usually meant his psychic abilities were kicking in. “Why exactly are you thinking about me tonight, of all nights? That’s either flattering or deeply disturbing.”
“Bit of both, probably.” Another chuckle. “But I needed to check on you. See how you’re handling things.”
Seth’s stomach clenched. “Handling what things?”
“The choices you made tonight. With Heavenly. And Beck. But don’t worry. I won’t tell Raine and ruin Heavenly’s surprise. Nice ring, by the way.”
The words hit him like a blow to the gut. Seth sank onto the weight bench, his legs suddenly unsteady. “How the fuck do you—never mind. I don’t want to know.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “So…who legally married Raine? You or Hammer?”
“Don’t deflect,” Liam returned. “But we’ve all vowed never to tell. Let people wonder. Adds to the mystique.”
“You’re all evil. And a bit insane.”
“Says the man who just took turns with another guy to knock up his girlfriend.” Liam’s voice softened. “How does it feel, knowing Heavenly could be pregnant?”
Seth’s heart hammered against his ribs. “Could be? You mean you don’t know for sure?”
“No. Conception is a process, not an instant event. Right now, it’s merely a possibility. I can see what has happened and what could happen, not what will happen.” Liam paused. “But the potential is there. Strong potential.”
“Shit.” Seth leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his body caught between excitement and dread. Part of him thrilled at the possibility. But another part clenched with familiar terror. “I thought I was ready for this, that I’d worked through my fears.”
“And you have, mostly. But it’s natural to feel unsettled when you’re standing on the precipice of everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“Is it? Because I feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin.”
“Seth.” Liam’s voice carried that familiar tone, the one he used when he was about to drop a truth bomb. “What if you reframed this entire experience?”
“I’m listening.”
“You’ve been thinking about fatherhood as something you lost, something that was taken from you. But what if it’s actually about reclaiming your legacy?”
“My legacy?”
“As a Cooper. Think about your father—the man and parent Michael was. You’ve been so focused on protecting your heart from potential pain that you’ve forgotten the honor would be passing on the best parts of him to the next generation.”
The words hit like a sucker punch. Seth’s throat tightened as memories flooded back—his father teaching him to throw a curveball, showing him how to change a tire, explaining the importance of protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves.
“Your father raised a good man, Seth. A fighter for justice. Those qualities shouldn’t die with you.”
“But what if something happens to Heavenly and the baby? What if I lose another family?”