“Hey. Have you seen my wife?” Henderson asks, his gaze scanning the crowd.
That’s something else too. Willow and my teammate Travis Henderson hit it off. They were engaged a couple of years ago and married three months later. They’re expecting their first baby, something I’m trying really hard not to be jealous over. Henderson is like a watchdog when it comes to his wife and unborn child.
I stand from my chair, already knowing he’s going to want to go to her. Not that I can blame him. The season is in full swing, and he soaks up as much time with her as he can. I get it. If my wife wasn’t with me when we travel, I’d be the same way. I make a mental note to talk to Easton, my father-in-law, about how he handled being away from Larissa and the girls when he traveled. I know they made adjustments, like today, for instance. Parker graduated over a month ago, but they held off on her party so Paisley and I could be here. There are lots of concessions you have to make when you’re a professional athlete.
“She’s with mine.” I point to where the girls are sitting, and just as I thought, he begins to move, with me hot on his heels. I’ll never pass up a chance to be near my wife.
When I reach Paisley, she stands, and I take her seat, then pull her onto my lap. We are so in tune with each other it’s as if she’s in my head.
“Baby, I thought I asked you to stay put?” Henderson asks Willow.
She stands with his help, and he sits, gently placing her on his lap as well.
“I’m out.” Parker pushes back on her chair, waves, and walks away.
“Hard to believe she’s leaving for college,” I comment.
“Right?” Paisley and Willow say at the same time.
“Ugh,” Willow groans, standing.
“What? What is it? Are you in labor?” Henderson asks her. The panic in his voice would be comical if it were not so endearing. He’s a papa bear, and protective of his wife and unborn child. I get it. I imagine I’ll be the same way.
“I have to pee.”
“I’ll walk with you,” he says, immediately standing, placing his hand on the small of her back to lead her inside the house.
“Can you imagine how bad he’s going to be when the baby gets here?” Paisley asks, turning and draping her legs over the chair so she can see my face.
“Yeah. I can, actually. Think about it. Growing inside of her is a piece of him.”
“Aw, are you getting all sentimental on me, Taylor?”
“Always when it comes to you,” I say, leaning forward and pressing my lips to hers.
“You ready for that? For babies and diapers and late-night feedings.”
“Yes.” I don’t even hesitate. “Are you?”
“Yeah. It’s a good thing too.” There’s a light in her eyes, along with a glimmer of tears. “I only have about seven and a half months to get prepared if I wasn’t.”
My hand slides over her still flat belly. “We’re pregnant?” I whisper.
“According to my doctor, six weeks.”
Sliding my hand behind her neck, I press my forehead to hers. “I love you so fucking much, Paisley Gray Taylor.”
“I love you too. I’m going to put in my notice. This is my last season with the Blaze,” she tells me.
“What? No. You love your job. It’s your dream job.”
“I do love it. And it was my dream job, but something more important has come up.” She places her hand over mine that still rests on her belly. “You and this baby, that’s my dream now.”
“Paisley—” I start, but she stops me.
“Beyond the game, Taylor.”
My heart is so full of love for this amazing woman. My wife. The mother of my unborn child. Those three words have deep meaning for us, and I know she didn’t come to this decision lightly. I’ll support her with whatever she decides. I told her we would figure it out, and we can. Together.
Thank you
Thank you for taking the time to read Beyond the Game.
Want more from the Out of Reach Series? Parker’s story, Beyond the Play releases January 2, 2022. You can pre-order your copy here.
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More from Kaylee Ryan
With You Series:
Anywhere with You | More with You
Everything with You
Soul Serenade Series:
Emphatic | Assured
Definite | Insistent
Southern Heart Series:
Southern Pleasure | Southern Desire
Southern Attraction | Southern Devotion
Unexpected Arrivals Series
Unexpected Reality |Unexpected Fight
Unexpected Fall | Unexpected Bond
Unexpected Odds
Riggins Brothers Series:
Play by Play / Layer by Layer
Piece by Piece / Kiss by Kiss
Touch by Touch | Beat by Beat
Standalone Titles:
Tempting Tatum | Unwrapping Tatum | Levitate
Just Say When | I Just Want You
Reminding Avery
Hey, Whiskey
Pull You Through
Remedy | The Difference
Trust the Push | Forever After All
Entangled Hearts Duet:
Agony | Bliss
Cocky Hero Club:
Lucky Bastard
Mason Creek Series:
Perfect Embrace
Out of Reach Series:
Beyond the Bases
Beyond the Game
Beyond the Play
Beyond the Team
Co-written with Lacey Black:
Fair Lakes Series:
It’s Not Over | Just Getting Started
Can’t Fight It
Standalone Titles:
Boy Trouble
Home to You
Beneath the Fallen Stars
Acknowledgments
To my family:
You are the glue that holds me together. Thank you for always being there for me. We’ve had a rough year, but we’re still standing. I love you.
Sara Eirew:
I bought this one years ago and I have been holding on to it. I’m glad to finally write a story for this image. Thank you for doing what you do.
Jersery Girl Design:
Thank you for making the paperbacks beautiful. You’re amazing and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do.
Sommer Stein:
I love the cover design for this series. Thank you for working with me in making Beyond the Bases and the design a series. I can’t wait to reveal the remaining two covers.