Page 118 of A Little Secret

“Something funny?”

“Just…the girls,” I admit. “They’re crazy but awesome. And supportive,” I add, “which is kind of a miracle. What did your mom say?”

“She called about the game and asked how you’re doing.” Walking toward me, he wiggles his cell phone back and forth. “And I ,uh, I told her.”

My eyes pop. “You told her how I’m doing or you told her…about the baby?”

The mattress dips as he sits down beside me. “They’re kind of synonymous, aren’t they?”

“I mean…”

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “I guess I was tired of keeping secrets.”

“So you created more?” I counter.

The warmth of his palm spreads across my belly as he palms my stomach. “I know it’s a technicality, but now that we agreed to do this, I can’t imagine not being this baby’sdad in every sense of the word other than blood, and even that feels…so fucking small in the big picture.” He leans in, kissing my temple. “Did you try calling Ev?”

“Went to voicemail,” I mutter. “He texted me, though.”

“What’d he say?”

“That he loves me, he’s sorry for being an ass, and we’ll talk after the game.”

Griffin nods, digesting my words. “Good.”

“I think so,” I agree.”

“You gonna tell your parents yet?”

My face scrunches. “Or, hear me out. We go to tonight’s game, then come home, eat junk food, and watch movies in bed. Eh? Eh?” I give him a wide smile and bat my lashes. The man folds in an instant.

Tossing his arm around me, he tugs me into his side. “I’m gonna let you take the lead on when to tell your parents, but now that mine know, it’s only a matter of time until your phone rings, though I did tell them you want to tell them yourself if you can help it.”

“So, basically, you gave me an unofficial deadline.” I give him a mock glare. “Gee. Thanks.”

“Can’t hide from this forever, Fin.”

“I know.”

“For now, I’m gonna head out and see if I can smooth shit over with Ev before the game. You still driving with the girls?”

With a nod, I give him a squeeze. “Yup.”

“And you’re good?” he prods.

“Never better.”

“That’s my girl.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

GRIFFIN

I’ve given a lot of pre-game speeches. More than I can count if I’m being honest. Sometimes, they hit. Sometimes, they don’t, but with everything riding on the game and no one knowing about any of it, I’m wound so fucking tight I might actually puke.

Everett isn’t talking to me. I figured as much, but when I entered the locker room, and the asshole stonewalled me, it only solidified the shitty situation. He’s pissed, and he has every right to be. I know Ev, though. Forcing him to talk when he isn’t ready could easily blow up in my face, but so could keeping him in the dark. With the baby. With the potential trade. He glances my way, then turns to Dreggs and nods, acting as if he’s paying attention to whatever our teammate is saying.

I make a note to corner him before the game, then climb onto one of the benches, making myself a foot taller than everyone else in the room. Right now, I need to get my head in the game, and I need to make sure my teammates are as invested as I am in playing our best tonight.