Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
11
Catherine
Why did he have to come back now? Everything was under control. I’d gotten things working according to my system. I wake up early, breastfeed Lily, before dropping her off at the childcare on campus. Then I attend classes until lunchtime, when it’s time to breastfeed her again. I rush to the daycare, feed my baby, and then attend one more class before picking Lily up. Then, we have playtime, before it’s time for dinner and a bath. At the end of the day, I breastfeed her one more time before she drops off to sleep.
There isn’t much room in my life for anything other than studying, classes, and my daughter, but I don’t mind. When Lily was first born, I had no idea how I was going to cope. When I revealed that Hunter was the father, my sister went ballistic and kicked me out of the apartment.
“I’m pregnant,” I sobbed. “Where will I go?”
Angela’s face was as hard as stone.
“You’ll figure it out,” she said before slamming the door in my face.
Fortunately, I was able to stay in university temporary housing, before they moved me into an apartment for families. Now, we have a small one-bedroom. Lily’s crib is next to my bed, and the quarters are cramped, but I don’t mind. The most important thing is that my daughter is safe and healthy, and that I’m able to finish school.
After all, I’m not ready to drop out. I got pregnant so close to graduation that I didn’t want to give up everything I’d worked for. Instead, I pulled in favors from everyone in order to survive. Corrie has been the best. She’s Lily’s regular babysitter, and even her new boyfriend, Mark, has pitched in.
But now, Hunter’s back, and judging from the thunderous look on his face, he’s angry. But why? I’m sure some fancy-schmancy football player from New York doesn’t want to be saddled with a woman and her child. I’m letting him off the hook! He should be grateful.
But now, everything’s been thrown into turmoil. He looks like he wants to rip me a new one. And what happens if he suddenly realizes that he wants to be a part of Lily’s life? What happens to our cozy family unit then?
Oh god, I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t let Hunter see her. I should have lied and told him that it was someone else’s kid.
Yeah right, no one would believe that. Besides, a few key people already know the truth, so I wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret for long.
My heart thuds and my hands feel clammy as I grip the front door to the daycare.
“Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t warm up to you right away,” I say, over my shoulder. “Remember, she’s a baby, so she’s still too young to speak much.”
The last thing I want is to set unrealistic expectations about this interaction. After all, there’s no telling what’s going on inside Hunter’s head. For all I know, he’s expecting a little girl to run to him and throw her arms around his neck while calling him “Daddy.”
I can’t bring myself to look at him. I can already feel the doubt rising in me as we move down the hallway to the last door on the left.
I open the door, revealing a bright-yellow room with cribs situated along the sides. Cooing noises greet us, and there’s a diaper-changing station in one corner.
“Ms. Lauder,” Trish, the attendant, smiles as I tiptoe inside. “Come to get Lily so soon? Is the graduation celebration over already?”
I smile.
“It was just about over, and …”
But then I stop, because Trish has seen the huge man behind me.
“Oh my god, you’re Hunter Brody, aren’t you?” Trish gushes as her eyes light up. “I’m such a huge fan of the Jets! Oooooh!”
Don’t look. Let them have the moment. Maybe he’ll find her attractive and forget why he followed you here.
“Yes, I’m Hunter,” the man beside me says in a deep baritone voice that makes my heart skip.
“You are so amazing,” Trish says, batting her lashes. “The way you handle the ball? It’s like it’s glued to your hands or something.”
“Thanks,” Hunter says abruptly. “But the baby? We’re here to see Lily.”
“Oh, of course!” sings Trish. “Let me get her.”
She goes to one of the cribs, and picks my daughter up. Lily looks angelic with her sleeping baby face, her mouth in a small pout. Her black hair is curly and springs in haloes around her face as she lets out a small yawn.
“So, she was an angel like usual,” Trish says, bringing Lily over to where Hunter and I wait. “She’s such a good girl, aren’t you, Lily-poo?”
She puts the baby in my arms, and sure enough, Lily wakes up. Her blue eyes blink at me and she smiles. Then she burps.