Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies 3)

“Oh my God, you are insane,” I say, laughing at the last tag. “But that’s super sweet. I love you too.”

“Damn right,” he says, nuzzling my neck and kissing it. “Big things are coming for us,” he whispers against my neck, and I smile as his hand rests against my belly.

I couldn’t agree more.

While before I was scared of what those big things could be, if they would be good or bad, I don’t anymore. I can’t—not when I’m so in love with my husband and my baby.

Life is too good to worry about anything.

I just hope that doesn’t change.

The next two weeks rush by; Thanksgiving is a blur of lots of food and pie. Good Lord, Mrs. Sinclair makes the best pie in the whole world and it was awesome. Thanksgiving with the Sinclairs is way better than with the Haverbrookes. My family was hardly ever together, and even though Jude, Claire, Jayden, and Baylor were not there, it was still a lot of fun. It’s obvious Mrs. Sinclair loves her children and hated that they couldn’t come to dinner, both away for games, but she was still the best host. It’s easy to say I love his family almost as much as I love him. They treat me like I’ve been around my whole life and they are so supportive. Mrs. Sinclair begged me to sing for her, and even Jace’s coach was impressed with my singing. It was awesome.

I just wish I could sing in front of big crowds. Lately, it has been so bad, and I’m even struggling with going to the coffee shop. I don’t know what is going on, but the more I write with Stu, the more I like that no one has to look at me or scrutinize me while I’m singing. Jace says it’s in my head, but I don’t know, it’s just freaking me out. I’m actually nervous about the showcase that is quickly approaching, but Jace reassures me that the whole place will be full of our family, so I have nothing to worry about.

Our family.

God, I love the sound of that.

While the last two weeks have been full of hockey, writing, and holidays, I have been excited for today. Today we find out what we are having, and I’m totally ready. As I sit in the lobby of the 4-D ultrasound office, Jace sits beside me, bouncing like a two-year-old as we wait to be called back. We are both so excited that we can’t even speak as we watch the door, ready to go back. Rubbing my little belly, I glance over at Jace when he looks at me.

“Why am I nervous?”

I smile. “I have no clue.”

“Are you nervous?”

I shrug. “No, why would I be?”

“I don’t know. So you’re not?”

“I am now!” I laugh and he smiles sheepishly.

“I just want it to be perfect.”

“It will be,” I say and he leans over, kissing my cheek.

“Coming from me and you? Yeah, you’re right.”

“Like always.” He gives me a look I grin at before shaking his head and looking back at the door. Rocking back and forth in the chair, I bite on the inside of my cheek as nervousness settles in the middle of my gut. I blame him completely. But unlike him, I’m not nervous about the appointment. I’m nervous because afterward we are meeting my parents for dinner. They came in early, like my mom had said. That surprises me but also makes me happy, I guess. I don’t know. I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

When Jace’s hand slides into mine, I cover it with my other hand and smile over at him as he says, “I think I want a boy.”

I laugh. “Okay, let the technician know. Hopefully, they have boys left.”

He gives me a look and I grin. “You still want a boy, right?”

I shrug. “I just want a healthy little nugget. That’s it.”

He gives me a look. “So, a boy?”

Laughing, I nod. “Yeah, a boy.”

I’ve always wanted a son first, someone to be the rock for his siblings. I always craved that and never got it, so I want to teach my kids right. A boy would be great, but then a little girl to be best friends with would be wonderful too. I don’t know. I really do just want a healthy baby.

“Me too, but then a little girl like you could be awesome.”

Putting my chin against his bicep, I grin up at him. “This is true. I am awesome.”