The Ace and The Assistant

by Kate, Jiffy

Casey hums contentedly. “The peanut is great. I love how I can feel him flutter… or her, I guess it could be a girl too. Hopefully, we’ll get our first kick soon. I was reading in one of my books last week that you usually start feeling kicks by twenty-five weeks, so I’m not quite there yet… but soon.”

  Her voice starts to trail off and I know a nap is on its way.

  As I stroke small circles on her belly, I can’t help but smile as I think about what it will be like to feel him or her kick. It’s all getting so real. Tomorrow, we’re learning the baby’s sex.

  I’m equal parts excited and terrified.

  My thoughts are momentarily distracted by Casey’s soft snores. Wrapping a protective arm around her, I settle deeper into the couch and decide to catch a few minutes of sleep too before I have to leave for the stadium.

  As I drift off, I wonder if this will be how it is once the baby gets here… will we still be sneaking naps together?

  You would think, since I throw balls for a living in front of thousands of people with very minimal jitters, a doctor’s appointment would be a piece of cake.

  But you’d be wrong. So very wrong.

  My stomach is in knots and has been for hours and I’m not even the one the doctor will be examining.

  We finally get to find out if Peanut is a he or a she.

  It’s a big day for me and Casey.

  But, I’ve also been reading the baby books Casey has stacked on every nightstand and end table in my house. So, now, there’s also the part of me that knows, if something’s wrong, this will be the appointment that will tell us.

  Who knew all the things that could go wrong?

  Typically, I’m a very positive person, glass half-full and all that, but the thought of something going wrong and causing Casey or the baby any kind of distress has me feeling like I’m going to throw up.

  Lord knows we don’t need anyone else throwing up around here. Thanks to Casey, there’s been enough vomit in my house to last a lifetime. But I’m not complaining. According to the books, morning sickness, or all day sickness where Casey is concerned, is a good sign. It’s an indicator that a woman’s pregnancy hormones are high and the pregnancy is stable.

  Stable is good.

  While Casey and I wait in the lobby, I can’t stop my leg from bouncing up and down.

  Thankfully, she’s much calmer and is quietly reading a magazine.

  “Are you like this before a game?” she asks.

  “Like what?” I reply, knowing damn well what she’s getting at.

  “You’re going to bounce a bald spot into the carpet under your foot.”

  Letting out a laugh, I shake my head. “I’m the complete opposite, actually. But it’s different. I know what to expect before and during a game. I have no fucking clue what’s going to happen today when we go back there.” I nod my head toward the hallway leading to the exam rooms.

  Casey places her hand on my thigh and squeezes, causing my attention to move from my nerves to how close her hand is to my dick.

  It’s an innocent touch but a decent distraction.

  Before I get a chance to shift back to bouncing my leg, a nurse pokes her head out a door and calls Casey’s name.

  We follow her to a room at the end of the hallway, where she instructs Casey to disrobe from the waist up and put on a gown that’s provided.

  Needing more of a distraction, I ogle her as she undresses and smile at the sight of her belly. When she winces as she’s climbing up onto the exam table, I lurch forward.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, concern flooding my body in a hot wave. “Is it the baby?”

  She huffs out a laugh. “No, it’s my bladder. I had to drink a ton of water before the appointment to ensure the technician can see everything and now I have to pee.”

  Letting out a sigh, I lean against the table beside her.

  “Relax, okay?” she says, placing her hand on my arm. “It’s going to be okay.”

  When she looks at me like that, it’s so easy to get lost in her gaze and let the world fall away. And once again, I’m reminded of the power she wields over me. So much power.

  “Hello,” a voice calls from the door, giving it a light tap.

  “Come in,” Casey calls out, lifting her head a little to see past me.

  The tech introduces herself and briefly explains what she’ll be doing before beginning the ultrasound. I watch as she squirts some lubricant onto Casey’s bump and then starts rubbing a wand around on her stomach.

  For a moment, it’s quiet enough to hear a pin drop and then there’s a whooshing sound that fills the room.

  “Do you hear that?” Casey asks, her voice full of excitement.

  “Is that the heartbeat?” I ask, feeling my own begin to race.

  “It is,” she says with a giggle. “Look at the screen.”

  I move to where I’m standing next to Casey and look at the computer screen the tech is pointing to. “Here’s your baby,” she says.

  I’m not really sure what I’m seeing but every now and then, I recognize random body parts. A leg, some fingers, a head… and then I see the heartbeat… on the screen, it’s literally beating.

  And so, so real.

  I don’t know why, but seeing that tiny beating blip on the screen takes my breath away. My mouth is dry but my eyes are most certainly not.

  We really did it.

  We really made another human.

  As I allow this reality to settle over me, I look at Casey in awe. She’s been growing our baby all this time and obviously, I knew it but now it’s so fucking… real.

  Ten minutes ago, I was ready to throw up my lunch and now I feel like I can move mountains.

  I’m going to be a dad and I can’t wait.

  Casey tugs on my arm, bringing my attention from the screen back to her. “Are you okay?”

  “I’ve never been better.” I give her a watery smile before whispering, “Thank you for bringing me today.”

  Before she can respond, the tech turns and asks if we’d like to know the sex of the baby. I know I sure as hell do but I look at Casey to let her know, it’s her call. She nods excitedly and we both look back at the screen waiting for the magic to happen.

  I watch as black and white swirls and blobs fade in and out on the screen until something catches my eye. And then two smaller somethings underneath it.

  “Is that a…”

  “Penis and testicles?” The tech finishes for me. “Sure is. Congratulations, you’re having a boy!”

  A boy.

  A son.

  Our son.

  I, honestly, didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl, as long as it was healthy, but there’s something special about knowing for sure and I couldn’t be happier.

  Leaning down, I kiss Casey as tears roll down my face. When I pull away, I see she’s crying too. As I wipe her tears away, I cup her cheeks and kiss her again, needing the connection and some way to convey how grateful I am to her for this moment.

  “We have a son,” I whisper, feeling more complete than I have in a very long time.

  Chapter 26

  Casey

  I’m having a baby boy.

  Ross and I are having a baby boy.

  Dirt and bugs and burps and toots and I cannot wait.

  I know nothing about raising a boy but I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. Of course, I want him to stay inside as long as possible but I can’t wait for him to be here so I can hold him and sniff him. Is there anything better than the way a baby smells? I don’t think so. I already love him more than I’ve ever loved another person.

  Ross is quickly becoming my number two, though.

  I’m not ready to admit any serious feelings and I know Ross isn’t ready to hear them but I feel myself falling for him more and more each day. There are times I think he’s falling too, but then his demeanor changes, like he’s pulling away and putting up barriers between us.

  Frankly, it makes me mad. But I don’t want to push him. I know hi
s heart is still healing and I’d never want him to feel like I’m pressuring him in any way. The day Ross Davies admits his feelings for me, I want it to be because they’re real, true, and freely given.

  Sighing, I start at the top of the page and begin sorting through Ross’s e-mails, again, for the third time today, vowing to pay closer attention this time.

  Get it together, Casey.

  The Revelers are in Atlanta, so I’m staying in Ross’s house instead of the guesthouse, like I always do when he’s on a road trip. And I can’t help feeling like I’m playing house—like this is our house and Ross is mine and this baby is going to complete our family.

  For a girl who never daydreamed or fantasized about things like this while growing up, I’ve quickly reached pro-levels. I can’t help but love the idea of the three of us being here together. Always. I didn’t even realize how much I wanted a life like this until it fell into my lap.

  When the doorbell rings, it snaps me out of my reverie and I quickly make my way to the front door. I’m not expecting anyone and I’m so caught off guard, I don’t think to look through the peephole before opening the door.

  Big mistake, Casey. Huge.

  Standing before me is Felicia and she looks about as happy to see me as I am to see her.

  “Yes?” is the only greeting I can manage.

  “You’re still here?” is her response and this conversation isn’t going to go well, I can already tell.

  Trying another tactic, I ask, “Can I help you?”

  “I need to speak with Ross.”

  “He’s not here. Maybe you should try calling next time so you don’t waste a drive over here for no reason.”

  “Oh, I’ve been calling,” she says, raising her eyebrows. “I just didn’t know he wouldn’t be here.”

  She’s been calling? As in she and Ross have been talking on the phone?

  That’s new information.

  “Okay, then next time, call before you come so we can avoid this.” I go to close the door but stop when I hear a gasp escape Felicia’s mouth and her hand stops the door.

  Shoot.

  “You’re...pregnant?” I can’t tell if she’s horrified or disgusted, but whatever she’s feeling, it isn’t good. If she was going to find out about the baby, I’d rather Ross have been the one to tell her.

  Then she laughs. Loudly.

  “Wow, Casey.” She throws her hands up in the air, dramatically. “First, you live in your famous sister’s shadow and now, you’re trying to replace me while playing house with my husband. You’ve got some fucking nerve…Is it even his baby?”

  With my heart pounding in my chest, I square my shoulders and try to stay calm.

  “My relationship with Ross is none of your business,” I tell her. I’m not one to look for a fight or argument, but I’ve never been one to back down either. I just don’t think an altercation with Felicia Davies is a good idea, regardless of the fact I’m five and a half months pregnant. “You need to leave.”

  “I guess you really will do whatever necessary to sink your claws into Ross.” She pauses, shaking her head as so many emotions pass over her face… her beautiful, but hateful face.

  She smirks, squinting her eyes at me.

  How can someone so pretty be so mean?

  “But,” she continues. “Getting knocked up is a pretty desperate and bold move.”

  “Leave.” I feel my face heat as my chest heaves.

  “Well,” she says, placing a manicured hand on her slim hip. “Enjoy it now because Ross will come to his senses soon and he’ll see what a fucking gold digger you are and kick you to the curb where you belong.”

  I want to cuss so badly, I’m shaking but I don’t want her to know her words hit their target, like a freaking bullseye. Instead, I slam the door in her face and lean into it while I try to catch my breath.

  Turning, I put my back to the cool wood and listen to the slam of a car door and then tires peeling out of the drive.

  Ross really needs to change the code to the gate.

  And I need to get away from this house for a while.

  I need to clear my head of all the daydreams and fantasies and ex-wife and figure out what’s real and what’s not. Taking calculated steps, I walk upstairs and begin collecting my things from Ross’s room.

  Leaving most of the books, I only take the few I read the most.

  Before I walk out, I look around and see how easy it was to remove myself from his life. The lack of permanence hits me like a ton of bricks. Instead of hiding away in the guesthouse, which hasn’t even had a chance to feel like home because of all the time I’ve spent in Ross’s main house, I go to the one place I always feel safe.

  Pulling up in front of Charlotte’s I exhale, finally breathing a little easier.

  She’s coming out of the side door before I can even get out of my car. Thanks to my growing belly, simple daily tasks are becoming harder. I don’t get a chance to explain why I’m there.

  The tears begin falling and then I’m being wrapped in a hug. Charlotte’s arms hold me tight, while she speaks hushed words that comfort me in a way only she can.

  Once she’s emptied the contents of my car into my old bedroom, she gets our favorite blankets from downstairs and we snuggle into the mound of pillows.

  “Tell me what happened,” Charlotte finally says, opening a package of Thin Mints and offering me one.

  Sniffling back some lingering tears, I take the cookie. “Where did you get these?”

  “Ross brought a few boxes over here for safekeeping.”

  I can’t help the laugh that escapes, but it’s followed quickly by a sob.

  “What is wrong with me?” I ask, eating the cookie even though the tears are back. “I can’t quit crying and I’m not even sure what’s wrong… it’s probably just me and that freaks me out because I’m never like this. You know me. I’m usually the calm and collected one. I don’t get to freak out and break down over nothing.”

  Huge, wracking sobs kick in and I feel out of breath.

  Charlotte sits me up and begins rubbing soothing circles on my back. “Slow, easy breaths,” she whispers. “In and out…deep breaths.”

  I try to do what she says and eventually, I begin to calm. “Felicia stopped by the house again,” I tell her, my eyes feeling as raw as my heart. “She said she and Ross have been talking. What does that mean? What if she wants to reconcile with him…or worse, what if he wants to reconcile with her?”

  My words come out monotone as a numbness takes over.

  “Have you talked to Ross about this?” Charlotte asks.

  Shaking my head, I feel a lump reappear in my throat, making it difficult to speak. “No.”

  “Let’s not jump to any conclusions without you speaking to him first, okay?” Her arm wraps around my shoulder and she pulls me to her until her head rests against mine.

  “I’ve felt like he’s been hiding something from me for a while now,” I confess. “Sometimes when he looks at me, I can just feel it. And I ask him what he’s thinking about and he says nothing…or changes the subject.” Feeling as dejected as my words sound, I continue, “What if it’s been about her this whole time. Maybe she’s why he pulls away.”

  I feel Charlotte’s mood change. She goes from worried to mad in a matter of a few seconds.

  “Well,” she starts, grabbing my shoulders and forcing me to face her, “we’ll figure this out. And if for some ridiculous fucking reason Ross wants that bitch back, we’ll go from there.”

  My eyes lock with hers and I see the solidarity there. The same solidarity I’ve given her for so many years is shining back at me and I realize that even if my worst-case scenario comes to pass, I’ll be okay.

  Charlotte will always be there for me.

  I’m not alone.

  “I think you need to tell mom and dad about the baby,” she says after a few minutes of silence. “I think it would take one thing off your plate and give you less to worry about.”

&
nbsp; Sighing, I take in a deep breath and exhale. “I know.”

  “Maybe just get some sleep tonight and we’ll tackle that one tomorrow, okay?”

  I nod, needing that. My body feels even more tired than usual. Maybe it’s the third trimester looming and this is what I have to look forward to for the next three months, but I literally feel like I can’t keep my eyes open.

  “The guys are probably at the field by now,” Charlotte says, climbing off the bed. “I’ll send Bo a text and let him know you’re here and ask him to tell Ross, unless you want to text him.”

  “No,” I tell her, knowing I should talk to him, but I don’t know exactly what I want to say and I know the conversation we’re destined for should be done face-to-face. Besides, he’s pitching tomorrow and I don’t want to worry him. “Ross hates texting. Just tell Bo we were having a girl’s night and I fell asleep.”

  Ross will believe that. He might try to call, but I can put him off until tomorrow. By then, I’ll be better rested and have a clearer head.

  Surprisingly, sleep actually comes easy. Maybe I’d cried and worried myself into exhaustion or maybe it’s the baby sucking the life out of me, regardless, I sleep so soundly that when my phone rings, it scares me so bad I forget where I am.

  Forcing my scratchy eyes open, I groan at the accosting sunlight filtering through the sheer fabric on the windows and I remember where I am.

  Not Ross’s house.

  Not Ross’s bed.

  My old bed.

  Charlotte’s.

  My phone stops ringing and then immediately begins again.

  Rolling over as far as I can, thanks to my growing belly, I stretch until I reach my phone on the nightstand. Unplugging it, I pull it to my face, expecting to see Ross’s name on the screen, but it’s not.

  Swiping my thumb across the screen, I reluctantly place it to my ear. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Casey Marie Carradine,” her tone is all too familiar and I inwardly cringe.

  “Good morning to you too,” I reply, hoping I’m not in too much trouble. I have been a bit more lax about my weekly calls, sometimes going a week and a half or so between them. She hates that, but like I’ve told her before, the phone lines run both ways and I don’t always have to be the one to make the call.