The Baby Blitz (Varsity Dads #3)(30)
Author: Lex Martin

 

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but we don’t even know how to be friends, much less parents. And I’m feeling gun-shy after how sideways everything went after we hooked up. Could we focus on the co-parent thing for now and being friends? Would you be okay with that?”

 

“Does that mean you’re cool with dating other people?”

 

My gut reaction is fuck that. Do I want my baby daddy dating other women? Of course not. But can I ask him not to see other people if I’m not ready to go there with him?

 

I breathe through that sudden burst of anger. I don’t want to lash out at him. Setting boundaries is a good thing, I remind myself. “Would I be excited for you to date other women? No, but I can’t exactly ask you to be celibate.”

 

“Yes, you can. You can ask me not to see anyone else.” His statement hangs in the air.

 

“Is it weird that I’m absurdly jealous of these nameless, faceless women you haven’t asked out yet?”

 

A breathtaking smile spreads on his face as he laces our fingers together. “I don’t wanna see you date anyone else either.”

 

“In a few months when I’m as big as a house, no one is going to want to date me, not even you.”

 

“Impossible.” He squeezes my hand. “I bet you’re going to be even more beautiful.”

 

I glance at my lap, feeling shy all of a sudden. “So we’ll, what? Take things slow? See where things go? Focus on our friendship?”

 

He nods. “Yeah. We’re only gonna be stuck with each other for the next few decades or so. Let’s get off on the right foot.”

 

Perhaps this won’t be impossible. “Are you free on Wednesday afternoon? Think you could make an OB-GYN appointment with me?”

 

He doesn’t hesitate. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

I hadn’t thought this through clearly, because now that I’m wearing a gown made of paper and have my legs hiked up in stirrups, I’m rethinking the wisdom of inviting Michael to join me today.

 

He turns to give me the privacy to change and hike my ass up onto the exam table, but when Dr. Perkins sticks her fingers in me to do whatever she has to do, Michael is right there. He’s sitting on a stool a few feet away, staring at his shoes like they have the secrets to the universe etched in the canvas.

 

When she asks about my last period, I explain the weird spotting and how I thought it was just light that month.

 

“That happens with a lot of women. And unless it’s heavy, less like spotting and more like an actual period, or accompanied by cramping, it’s normal. Did you have cramping?”

 

“I had one sharp pain down there early on, but otherwise no.”

 

“Could’ve been the implantation of the sperm.”

 

Huh. You learn something new every day.

 

When the sonogram technician enters the room, Dr. Perkins grabs a giant wand. “Now for the fun part. This is where we get to hear the heartbeat.”

 

Michael’s eyes get comically huge. “You have to probe her with that thing?”

 

I laugh. It’s completely inappropriate, but please. “Don’t even pretend your weapon is much smaller.” I mean, he’s definitely thicker.

 

The man goes bright red. “Mags.” He tilts his head toward the doctor and technician, who are both trying to hold back their smiles.

 

I roll my eyes. “My baby daddy has it going on. There. I said it.”

 

“Jesus, Maggie.”

 

“Look, if we can all sit around while the doctor asks me about discomfort in my vagina and shoves a giant phallus up my hoo-ha, I can admire your endowments.”

 

He chokes on a laugh and then reaches over and grabs my hand and freaking kisses it.

 

Dr. Perkins smiles. “A transvaginal ultrasound will give us a really good idea of your due date. It sounds like you’re almost in your second trimester, though, so next time, we’ll do an external ultrasound.” She has the technician wheel a giant cart closer. “You guys are a cute couple. How long have you two been together?” she asks as she squirts a bunch of lube on the wand.

 

“Oh, um… We’re not really… I mean…” How do I explain we’re focusing on being friends?

 

I squirm as she inserts the wand.

 

Olly squeezes my hand. “I’ve liked this woman for years, so even though this is new for us, I’ve had a thing for her for a while. Even when she was contemplating slashing my tires.”

 

How is he so damn sweet? I smile. “How did you know I wanted to slash your tires? Not that I would actually do that. But after I saw you with Vanessa, I might have fantasized about it for a day or two.”

 

He chuckles. “Why am I not surprised?”

 

Olly looks so handsome sitting there in a blue button-down and slacks. He dressed up to take me to the doctor’s, for Pete’s sake.

 

Suddenly, a fast whirring sound fills the room, and I turn toward the doctor.

 

“That’s your baby.” After a moment, though, her smile morphs into a frown, and then she has the technician tweak something on the monitor. They whisper to each other, and I start to freak out.

 

Olly stands next to me, leans down, and whispers, “Everything’s okay. I’m right here.”

 

“Actually,” Dr. Perkins says slowly, “here is your other baby. Congrats! You’re having twins.”

 

And that’s when Michael Oliver, an elite athlete and my baby daddy, whispers, “Holy shit,” and passes out cold.

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

OLLY

 

 

 

 

 

Popping open a beer, I collapse back on the couch.

 

At least I didn’t get a concussion or hurt my knee when I passed out yesterday. I guess there’s a first for everything.

 

“So yeah,” I tell Johnny as I rub the bump on the back of my head, “we’re, uh, having twins.”

 

He stares at me and busts out laughing. “Shut the fuck up. That’s a good one! You had me going there for a second. I mean, what would you do with twins next year while you’re trying to play football? We barely have time during the season to scratch our balls, much less date anyone. Plus, you gotta watch your knee. Throw being a father into the mix and it’s pure insanity. I don’t know how Rider and Ben survived that shit.”