A Different Christmas (University Park #5) (7 page)

“Thank you,” she spat out.

“If I’m playing a game, you have the numbers of the two trainers, correct?”

“Yes, I have them stored in my phone.”

“Okay. I’ll ask them to send you a message if we’re staying late for training.” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the tension wrap around my bones. “I’ll also ask if you can call them in case there’s an emergency while I’m on the practice field. I’m sorry.” I shook my head, realizing how stupid I was for not thinking ahead of time.

“That makes me feel much better.” Her voice had changed, content with my response.

“Good.” I let out a breath, glad she wasn’t upset any more. “Are you guys already at a restaurant?”

“Yes. We’re waiting to be seated at Eat New Orleans on Dumaine Street.”

“Okay. I’ll take a quick shower and meet you there.”

“I can order your favorite dish if you’d like.”

“That would be great.” Leave it to my sweet Lexi to make sure I had food to eat, when I should be doing that for her. “You’re so awesome.”

“Just trying to take care of my man,” she said, not missing a beat.

I didn’t know if that was a jab, but decided not to respond negatively. “Don’t worry about me, baby. You just take care of yourself and our two babies, okay?”

“I’m trying, Raven. I’m trying.”

Chapter 5

Lexi

“Thanks for coming with me.” I glanced at Delaney and then Cassie, glad I had them to lean on when Raven couldn’t be with me.

Cassie shifted her SUV into park. “Of course. I told you I’d be here for you.”

“Thanks.” I gave her a gentle smile, trying to keep the waterworks from releasing for the umpteenth time.

“I’m sorry I don’t live closer. You know I’d be in the delivery room with you if I did.” Delaney leaned between the two front seats, resting her head against my shoulder. “Even if you have C-section.”

“I know you would.” I leaned my head against hers. “You being here with me today is enough,” I assured her. Delaney had been with me since I found out I was pregnant. Standing by my side when I took the pregnancy test and going to doctor appointments with me until I decided to tell Raven. She had been a true, caring friend.

“No, it’s not,” she lifted her head, “but it’s the best I can do right now. It sucks Raven can’t be here with you, but what can you do? He has a game to prepare for.”

I wiped a tear that was adamant on releasing and sniffed. “I know…and I shouldn’t be upset because I want this for him. This is what he’s been waiting for. I should be happy and jumping for joy, but instead, I’m upset he’s not spending more time with me.” The tears started to fall as I opened up to my friends. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Oh, darling, don’t cry.” Cassie plucked a few tissues from a soft pack stashed on the side of the door. “You’ll just upset yourself and the babies.”

“I know.” I rubbed my ever-growing belly, feeling the babies move and kick. “None of this should be a surprise...” I blew my nose and wiped it, “but I can’t help wanting him to be with me for things like this.” I held up my hand, motioning to the building next to the hospital where the Lamaze classes were being held. “He told me he’d come with me today, but instead, he got up early, worked out with Luke, then said he had to go to practice.”

“I’m sorry, Lexi.” Delaney pulled my hair away from my face. “I know this sucks, but just think…Raven’s going to be the starting quarterback on Sunday.”

“I hate Pittsburgh.” Cassie grunted. “I hope they tear them apart.”

“I know.” I half laughed, half cried. “It’s a dream come true. And I’m so thankful, yet all I can think about is what if he’s on the field playing a game or out of town when I go into labor. Does he want to be there when the babies are born? Does he care?”

“Stop thinking those foolish thoughts.” Cassie latched on to my hands. “You’re stressing yourself out. Of course Raven wants to be there when you have the babies. I’m sure this is bothering him just as much as it’s hurting you. Think about it, he’s trying to do his best on the field and be here for you, too.”

I wiped my eyes. “I know he is. But why can’t my stupid heart accept it and stop feeling so emotional about the situation?”

“It’s your hormones, darling. They love to mess with you and make you feel like you can’t handle anything. Trust me, I know.” She released a heavy sigh.

“I’m sick of it.” I tossed my hands in the air. “I’m more confident than this.” I glanced at Delaney for confirmation. “Aren’t I?”

“You’re totally not yourself,” she said, matter of fact. “But you’re pregnant, so it’s understandable.”

“I can’t wait to be back to normal.” I pulled down the vanity mirror and cleaned the black from under my eyes, wishing I had worn waterproof mascara.

“Be patient and give yourself some time. And pray you don’t suffer from postpartum depression.” I shot her a dreadful glance. “But if you do, don’t worry. I’m here for you, and don’t be afraid to get on meds if you need to.”

“Ugh!” My shoulders caved inward. Being pregnant took such a huge toll on your body. More than I’d expected. I was fortunate I didn’t have any complications or problems, and I continued to remind myself of that, but it didn’t seem help. “I need to pull myself together and be strong. I have so much to be thankful for.” I turned to my friends. “There are people who have it so much worse than I do. I shouldn’t be complaining.”

“You have valid complaints, Lexi. You have every right to be upset.” Cassie was quick to remind me. “I will tell you, when I was pregnant with Ella, it was hard as hell. Keenan had already been working his new territory, traveling Monday through Thursday. Luckily, I went into labor on a Friday morning, when he was home.”

“I didn’t realize Keenan was traveling so much while you were pregnant.”

“Yes, and it wasn’t easy. If it weren’t for my mother-in-law, Alice, I don’t know what I would have done. You’re lucky you have Mimi to help you. She’s been a lifesaver, too.”

“I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have her. She’s a godsend. My mother promised to help me, but since she lives in Texas, it makes it hard.” In reality, Mimi was more supportive than my mother, and I was fortunate to have her. Mom still had some hard feelings toward Raven; I wasn’t sure she’d ever accept him. Deep down, she still wanted me to be with Collin, although she wouldn’t admit it to me. I wasn’t trying to please her, so if she didn’t like my choice, that was her problem.

“I’m glad you have Mimi,” Delaney said, relief etched in her eyes. “I’m not sure your mom would be there to the extent Mimi is.”

“I know.” I gave a slight nod. She knew my mom all too well. Since she was dating my brother, she was getting to know her even more. It was only a matter of time before Mom started complaining about her. No one was good enough for her children, unless she had a direct influence with the relationship. And since she didn’t pair Luke with Delaney, I doubted she would fully accept her.

“I still worry about him being faithful. Since I can’t travel with him, I have no idea what he does when I go to bed at night. He told me some of the guys brought some women to the hotel to party with them after the Baltimore game. He swore nothing happened and he went back to his room alone, though.”

They stared at me for a moment. “If he were guilty of doing something wrong, I doubt he’d be telling you,” Delaney said.

“But what if something did happen?” I wiped the string of tears dripping from my cheeks.

“Do you think he cheated on you?” Cassie asked.

I stopped mid-sniffle, thinking about what they said and how absurd I sounded. Raven was busting his ass. Doing everything to keep his place on the team and walk a straight line. I had to trust he was making the right decisions. He loved me and by the way he spoke and acted, I knew he loved our soon-to-be-born babies. “No,” I responded in a hushed voice, feeling like an idiot for thinking the worst.

“I’m not one to take up for Raven’s stupid decisions, but something tells me he’s busting his ass to get you to the altar.” Delaney coaxed me with her words of truth.

“I think she’s right,” Cassie added. “Raven loves you too much to screw up again.” I had confided in Cassie, telling her about the struggles Raven and I had been through and the wrong choices he had made. She wasn’t oblivious to his womanizing behavior, stating he had hooked up with some of her college friends when they went to a game his sophomore year.

I closed my eyes and pushed aside the voices telling me lies. If this is what Raven suffered from, I felt so bad for him. I’d never had issues like this in the past. “I’m being overly paranoid, that’s all.”

“It’s the hormones, I’m telling you.” Cassie handed me a few more tissues. “Okay, Lexi, no more crying.” She turned off the engine and grabbed her purse. “Let’s get this class done and then grab a bite to eat. If you feel up to it, I know this cute boutique for baby clothes. I think you can find the perfect outfit for both your bundles to come home in. What do you say?”

I blotted my eyes one more time. “I’d like that. I haven’t even packed their diaper bags, or my hospital bag yet. I guess I need to pick out some clothes for them to wear.”

“D-day is getting closer. We’ll help you get those bags packed and ready to go.” Delaney gave my hand a tight squeeze. “And don’t worry about Raven. I’ll make sure he’s not doing anything stupid.”

“What are you going to tell him?” I turned around in my seat.

“Don’t worry,” she opened the car door, “after a chat with me, you can rest assured his balls and dick stay where they need to be.” She winked and we laughed. Leave it to Delaney to bring some good holiday cheer.

***

Raven

I felt bad for missing Lexi’s Lamaze class, but I couldn’t miss four hours of practice. Not with the game tomorrow. I didn’t want to tell her I thought the classes were a waste of time since she probably wasn’t going to deliver the twins naturally. The doctor had warned her a C-section might be necessary. Regardless, I still wanted to be with her and give her the support she needed. Something told me I had screwed up.

“Come on, man. Focus,” Luke said as he watched me haphazardly slam a fifteen-pound medicine ball into the wall. “I know you can throw harder than that.”

I stopped and took a breath. “I know. I’m just thinking about Lexi right now.”

“Take five.” He motioned for me to throw him the ball. “What’s going on?”

Shooting a quick glance at him, I contemplated opening up. I’d never had a guy-to-guy talk with Lexi’s brother, probably because his best friend was Collin, Lexi’s ex. We weren’t close friends, but he had stood by my side at both of my hearings when PHU was determining whether I would be able to stay or would have to go. We had talked a few times on the phone — big brother made sure I knew what he thought about me leaving his sister.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s cool.” Luke handed me a water bottle.

I chugged a third of the bottle and took a deep breath. “No…things are fine. Well, life is great, just a little stressful right now.”

“I hear ya. But your stress is the good kind.”

I half smiled. “Better than the alternative.”

“You’re right about that.” Luke patted me on the shoulder and encouraged me to sit on a bench. “So, aside from landing the position of starting quarterback and expecting twins in a couple weeks, what’s the problem?”

I shot him an ‘
are you serious?’
look.

“Just kidding. I know that’s what bothering you.” He took a seat next to me at the opposite end of the bench.

“It’s a lot, man. I’m stoked about Sunday’s game, but concerned about Lexi. She needs me right now, but I have to focus on Sunday’s game. It’s not easy balancing the two. I also have to work hard if I want to be able to start the following week.”

“I get it.” Luke nodded. “This is your job, and right now, it’s really demanding. The good thing is, Lexi has your mom and grandmother for support.”

“I know.” I released another heavy breath. “I wish your mom would come stay with her, but Lexi said she has to help your sister, Ashley, with her kids.”

Luke’s made a twisted face. “My mother is lying. She never watches Ashley’s kids. Besides, you don’t want her here. Trust me. She’ll get in between you and Lexi and cause problems. Lexi’s better off with your family helping her.”

“I guess.” I shrugged. “I’m trying to get on your mom’s good side.”

“There is no good side, man.” Luke’s voice deepened. “Only the dark side.”

“You make her sound like Darth Vader.”

“She’s more like Senator Palpatine, evil flowing thick in her veins.”

I laughed. “Don’t tell me you have the Imperial March song tagged to her profile in your phone.”

“Hell yeah I do. We all do. Including my dad,” he said, matter of fact. “The person you should be focused on is my dad. Screw my mom. She has issues.”

“Believe me, I want to.” I grabbed my hand towel and wiped the sweat from my face.

“What?” Luke’s head swung in my direction. “You want to screw my mom?”