Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“And what are these rumors?”
Autumn squirms. I can tell she doesn’t want to say anything but the cat’s out of the bag now so she might as well spill.
“Just that the owners are pissed you left, and the guys think Noah’s going to bail on them.”
“I left because I’m about to have triplets and being with them is far more important than coming into work every day and watching game film when I could do that from home. This is why we need more women in sports management and ownership. Family oriented women at that. My decision has nothing to do with Noah and his position on the team.”
I turn toward the field and cross my arms, resting them on my growing belly. The anger I feel is at the club, not at Autumn, even though it may seem it’s all directed at her. I turn back and apologize for my outburst. She’s been pregnant before. She understands how easily the hormones can take over.
“For what it’s worth, Julius doesn’t want to lose Noah as his QB.”
“He’s not going anywhere.” This may be a lie, but I’m not going to send my husband down the creek without a paddle. When the guys return from halftime, we hug, and they head back to their seats. I sit down next to Liam and sigh.
“It’ll be all right,” he says as he pats my leg. “If the Pioneers don’t want him, others will. It’s the name of the game.”
I appreciate his confidence because I’m not so sure I have it. Noah waves and we return the gesture. He’s down there, playing the game he loves and winning, for a team who doesn’t seem to love him back.
28
NOAH
When I was younger, I loved Halloween, it’s because I got all the candy I wanted. In high school, there would always be some costume party and I hated trying to figure out what to wear and often went as myself. One time, I went as my dad. It was freaky because my female classmates acted like groupies, and it was unnerving. In college, we didn’t dress up, but partied. In Portland, we only get the kids who live in the building knocking for candy, but now that I’m going to be a dad, I’m so damn excited for this holiday. I can’t wait to take the babies out next year. They’ll be alert and looking around, and I’m looking forward to picking out their costumes with Peyton.
Speaking of, she’s waddling (her words, not mine) around my parent’s house in a pumpkin costume. It’s probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The novelty of her being a pumpkin, with her ever expanding belly humors me.
She pauses mid-step as she comes toward me and grimaces. I’m out of my seat instantly and rushing toward her. “The boys?” I ask as she holds her side and nods. According to her doctor, because she has three babies growing inside of her, space is very limited, and she’ll feel them moving and kicking more versus there only being one.
“They’re brutal on my ribs,” she says in between deep breaths.
“I’d take the brunt of it, if I could.”
She offers me a weak smile. “I’m fine. Everything is perfect.”
“Perfect” is how she describes everything as of late. I agree with her. Our life is perfect, even though we have a lot going on. The Pioneers have one loss, we’re getting close to the playoffs, and even though I don’t have a contract the owners assure me one is in the works. None of that even touches the fact Peyton and I are about to be parents. How can life not be perfect?
“You know, you’re the cutest pumpkin in the patch,” I tell her as I keep my hand on the small of her back and guide her to the recliner my dad bought for her. It’s one of those remote-controlled ones, where it will literally help her stand. When he brought it home, she cried until she used it and then thanked him profusely.
“Your mom said the same thing when she brought the costume home for me.”
“Are we handing candy out?”
She nods as she sits down. “Your mom and I are going to sit on the porch. This way the kids don’t have to knock, and Stevie Nicks won’t bark.”
“I think Mack is taking her out tonight.”
Peyton frowns. “I’d rather her stay home, Noah. Mack’s a great kid and I trust him, but others . . .” she pauses and shakes her head. “It’ll be dark, and I’ll worry about her.”
“Okay. She’ll stay home. Mack will understand.” I sit down on the couch, as close to her as I can get. Peyton presses the button to recline and I’m instantly jealous because the chair looks comfortable. “Maybe we’ll get one of those for the new house.” We were able to find a house perfectly situated between my parents and Nick, which I really like in case the babies need him in the middle of the night. We won’t move in until renovations are done.