For the Save (Playing for Keeps #4)

by Amber Garza

  Lifting her head, she craned her neck to peer up at me. Tears shone in her eyes and I swallowed back the emotion welling in my throat. “I love you, Sawyer.”

  “I love you too, Addie.” Lowering to her level, I gently pressed my lips to hers.

  “Get a room, you two,” Holden’s voice cut through the moment.

  “Um…” I scoured the hospital room. “We’ve got one. You’re the one intruding.”

  Holden chuckled, stepping inside. In his hand he clutched a bouquet of flowers.

  “Ah, you shouldn’t have,” I joked.

  “They’re not for you. They’re for the new mom.” Smiling, he nodded toward Addie.

  “Thanks.” She smiled.

  Holden moved closer, staring down at my son. Man, I couldn’t believe I was using the phrase ‘my son.’ It seemed surreal. I wondered if it would ever lose its luster. If this feeling would ever go away. I was hoping it wouldn’t.

  “Kid looks like a football player,” Holden observed.

  “Oh yeah?” Addie cocked an eyebrow.

  “I see it,” I agreed.

  “Yep.” Holden nodded. “Just like his dad.”

  “And his Uncle Holden,” I added. Holden may not have been his uncle by blood, but he was my closest friend. Addie and I had already asked him to be the baby’s godfather.

  Holden reached out his hand and we fist-bumped each other from over Addie’s bed. “What do you say, little guy? Gonna play some ball with Daddy and Uncle Holden?”

  “Aww, man. Are you guys already trying to recruit the kid?” Chloe appeared in the doorway. Her gaze met Holden’s and she glared. “Seriously? You couldn’t wait for me?”

  “If I waited for you every time you had to pee I’d live outside of a woman’s restroom,” Holden teased.

  Chloe tried to remain pissed, but her lips curved at the corners. “Yeah, you try carrying around a baby for nine months and see how it feels.”

  “No, thanks.” Holden sidled up next to her, draping his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll leave that to you because you handle it so well.”

  She rolled her eyes, pushing his arm away. “Nice try. Now let me see my little godson.” Moving around Holden, she waddled toward Addie.

  “Hey, Chloe.” Addie smiled. “Not much longer and you’ll have one of these.”

  Chloe put her hand on her heart. “Oh, Addie. He’s precious.”

  “Isn’t he?” Addison beamed.

  Chloe glanced around the room. “Where are your parents?”

  “They all just went to grab a bite to eat,” Addie explained.

  “I bet they’re in love with this little guy.”

  “Definitely.” Addie glanced over at me, and I gave her a knowing smile. “We had to force them to give us some time alone.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Chloe stepped back. “And then we show up and intrude on your moment.”

  “No, don’t be silly.” Addie placed a hand over Chloe’s. “I’m glad you guys are here. It feels right.”

  And it did. Holden and Chloe were as close as family to us.

  “I wasn’t sure if you would be here for the birth,” Addie said to Holden. “I guess I should be grateful we had him during off season.”

  “Are you kidding? There was no way Holden wouldn’t be here. Our due dates are too close together, and there was no way football was getting in the way of my husband being there for the birth of our baby. I don’t care what a big football superstar he is,” Chloe said.

  I marveled at how far Holden had come. Although I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. I’d always known he had what it took to go pro. Sometimes I felt jealous of it, but then Addie would remind me of how blessed we were. I may not have played professionally like Holden, but football was still in my life. I coached at Gold Rush High. It was weird to now work where I used to go to school. But honestly, it’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. My old demons were gone. I no longer had nightmares about what transpired all those years ago. Besides, the school had been remodeled to the point where it didn’t even look the way it did when I attended. But mostly I liked the influence I had over the students. The way I could impact their lives, teach them right from wrong. I’d even counseled a couple of students who were being bullied or were suicidal. And I felt like it was a form of redemption for me. Like I’d come full circle.

  And now here I was with my wife and son. Honestly, my life had turned out better than I ever could have imagined.

  “Wanna hold him?” Addie touched my arm. “Daddy?”

  Daddy. I was a daddy. It felt too good to be true.

  “Of course,” I responded. Addie carefully placed my son in my arms. He squirmed, making a funny noise, but then he closed his eyes and nestled in peacefully.

  “Fatherhood looks good on you, man,” Holden said, wearing a grin.

  “It really does,” Addie agreed.

  Smiling, I glanced down at my son. “Welcome to the world, Ben,” I whispered.

  THE END

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  Author’s Note and Acknowledgments

  I fell in love with Sawyer while writing FOR THE RUSH. He was such a dynamic character, and he went through so much. I felt like I couldn’t leave him the way he was at the end of FOR THE RUSH – all broken and sad. I wanted him to have his happy ending. Addison was a character mentioned in passing. Mostly I had used her as a way of showcasing Chloe’s acceptance of others. But when I started brainstorming this book I knew she was the girl Sawyer would fall for. I loved writing the chemistry between the two. I enjoyed peeling back the layers of Addie’s personality, and I loved how sweet Sawyer was with her. Often in my books it is the guy who is a little rough around the edges. It was nice to change it up.

  As always I have a ton of people to thank:

  Lisa Richardson, my super star editor.

  Kris at C & K Creations for my fabulous cover. I love it so much. It’s perfect.

  Susan Griscom for being an awesome beta reader.

  To the real “Barney Mobile.” I knew I would one day use you in a story.

  To my kids for being so understanding about Sawyer and Addie’s story cutting into their summer.

  For my husband who is always super supportive and loves me so well.

  To my extended family – there are too many to name, but I love you all!

  To all my readers, bloggers and fans, you make this all worth it! I can’t thank you enough.

  And, most of all, to God, who makes all this possible. Everything I do is for you.

  Amber

  About the Author

  Amber Garza is the author of the Delaney’s Gift Series, the Prowl Trilogy, suspense novel Engraved, and many contemporary romance titles, including Star Struck and Tripping Me Up. She has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She currently lives in California with her amazing husband, and two hilarious children who provide her with enough material to keep her writing for years.