by Meghan Quinn
“You’re so sincere. Can’t wait to have you standing by my side.”
“What?” Brady asked.
“I need a best man. You might be a walking pile of used condoms right now, but I have confidence you’ll be able to get your shit together by the wedding.”
“Seriously? You want me to be your best man?”
“Pretty much. I need the ugliest guy I know standing next to me, so Patty has no choice but to say I do.”
“You’re fucked up,” Brady said with a smile. “I’d be honored man, thanks.”
“Good answer because that’s the first step of my plan.”
“Plan?” Brady asked with a quirked eyebrow.
“You want Jane back? A little birdy told me she was going to be Patty’s maid of honor.”
Brady sat up in his seat at that news. He knew the kind of commitment the wedding party had to put forth when in a wedding, and with the gleam in Marc’s eyes, he could tell he had plans to make it very easy on Brady to have to interact with Jane.
“Keep talking.”
Marc leaned forward and spoke with a scheming look in his eyes. “Patty will be asking Jane soon to be her maid of honor. She’s already planning an engagement party. I hope you’re dedicated, man.”
“What do you mean?” Brady asked.
“When you’re not playing baseball, you will be picking out floral arrangements and testing cake. Jane will have no choice but to see you every chance you can get, and you can bet your tiny dick that I will be the biggest groom-zilla out there. Nothing will be an easy choice. The more opportunities for you to see Jane, the better.”
“I don’t know how to pick flowers,” Brady pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter, your job is to help the maid of honor.” Marc wiggled his eyebrows. “I can foresee there being long nights of you two putting together invitations for us.”
A small grin spread across Brady’s face. “I like your thought process.”
“I knew you would.” Satisfaction ran through Marc’s face, clearly impressed with himself. “By the time I say I do, Jane will be humping your leg, begging to come back home.”
“Is leg humping acceptable at your wedding?” Brady teased, feeling a little lighter now that he felt he had a plan in place.
“Any kind of humping is one hundred percent allowed at the wedding.” He paused for a second but then added, “Just don’t tell Patty.”
Brady laughed and shook his head. “Dude, you’re already fucking whipped.”
“Wouldn’t trade it in for anything.”
**Connor**
This was it, the day the baby could go home.
Connor took the night off from the hospital last night, went home, showered, and prepared the nursery. He organized, made sure he had everything he needed, and most importantly, hung pictures of Lucy around the room so their baby boy would know his mom.
He was ready.
No more hospital.
No more worrying.
It was going to be a fresh start. He was even prepared to name the baby. He’d thought long and hard about a name. He thought back to all the memorable moments he had with Lucy, but nothing came to mind. All he could think about was how the baby was a miracle in their life. They’d had their ups and downs, but the baby was always a solid constant in their lives. And after everything he went through, after losing his mother in the first few seconds he was living on this earth, he was truly a miracle in Connor’s eyes. That’s why he decided to name him Cadman.
Cadman Lee.
Gripping the car seat tightly in his hand, he headed up to the NICU center to gather his baby boy. As he approached, he heard yelling in the hallway, yelling from a very familiar voice.
Turning the corner, Connor spotted Austin standing in the hallway, flinging his arms about and speaking sternly to a nurse, who had her arms crossed over her chest.
“You’re telling me I can’t take my son home? How is that even possible?”
Connor met them in the hallway, his dander already up and ready to fight Austin. He was finally going to show up and be a father?
“Mr. Lee, you don’t have a car seat. It’s against the law for us to let you walk out of the hospital with your child without a car seat.”
Austin ran his hand over his face and saw Connor out of the corner of his eye. With his head tilted to the side and his hand gripping his neck, he glanced down at the car seat in Connor’s hand and started laughing.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
This was a sticky situation. Technically, Connor had no right to the baby, but he felt like more of a father than Austin, and he believed he should be the one who fathered the child.
“It’s time for the baby to come home.”
Laughing again, Austin grabbed the car seat from Connor and said to the nurse, “Got my car seat, now make yourself useful and put the baby in it so I can go.”
The nurse sneered at him and then turned to Connor. “Is this your car seat or his?”
“It belongs to Cadman,” Connor said honestly.
“Who the fuck is Cadman?” Austin asked, raising his voice.
Taking a deep breath, Connor faced the immature anus ring and said, “That’s what I planned on naming him today before he left. It means miracle.”
“Who the fuck cares what it means. Christ, that name sucks giant whale tits. No, his name is going to be Jeter. If you’re going to give the kid a name with meaning, name him after the best baseball player ever to play the sport.”
“Jeter Lee? It sounds like you’re trying to say jiggly with a mouth full of donkey cum.”
“You would know,” Austin scoffed.
That did it; Connor lost his temper.
“What are you really doing here, Austin? You’re just going to show up after a few weeks as if you’ve been by his bedside this entire time? Do you really think you have the right to be here?”
“Do I think I have the right?” Austin asked, pointing at his chest. “Pretty sure it was my sperm that created that kid in there. If anyone doesn’t have the right to be here, it’s you.” Austin laughed and looked around, as if searching for answers. “Why are you even here? The only connection you had to this baby is now buried six feet under…”
“You piece of shit!” Connor yelled, just before he attacked Austin.
At full speed, Connor charged after Austin, grabbing him at the waist and slamming him up against the wall of the hospital. Austin threw cheap shots into Connor’s side as Connor tackled Austin to the ground. They rolled around on the floor, knocking the car seat out of the way and scrambling around to be on top of the other.
“Hey!” a woman called at the top of her lungs, forcing Connor and Austin to stop. Connor had his legs wrapped around Austin’s waist and Austin had his arms gripping Connor’s neck. They were the perfect combination of idiocy in a pretzel-like fold.
They both looked up to see Dr. Cuevas standing above them, tapping her toe. Her eyes spoke trouble and her tight jaw let them know she was about to give them a tongue lashing.
Between clenched teeth, she said, “My office, now.”
Dr. Cuevas was a gorgeous, fiery Spanish woman who you didn’t mess with, because with one glare from her deep brown eyes she had you shaking in your shoes.
Silently, with their tails tucked between their legs, they walked to Dr. Cuevas’ office and sat down in the chairs in front of her desk.
Dr. Cuevas put her hands on her desk and leaned forward while she spoke to them sternly.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re both adults, right?”
Austin and Connor both nodded in response.
“That’s what I thought,” she said, sitting down and scooting her chair forward. “Since you both agree you’re adults, then I expect you to act like it. The constant fighting and disagreeing is not going to work. There is a little boy, without a mother, needing love, not anger and hatred in his life. Ever since I met you two, you’ve done nothing but cause st
ress with this situation. You’ve bickered, fought, and made it difficult for everyone around you to enjoy the little miracle that is resting in the nursery. It’s time you get over yourselves, man up, and take care of him like two grown ass men.” Dr. Cuevas struck her finger on her desk as she spoke with conviction. “I don’t care whose sperm it was that made the baby. I don’t care whose last name he will take. I don’t even care about who brought the damn car seat. What I care about is sending this baby home into warm and welcoming arms. I want him to be nurtured, taken care of, and loved unconditionally. Do I think either one of you can do it?” She shook her head no. “No, I don’t.”
Connor was insulted. He was more than capable of taking care of a child.
“Don’t give me that look,” Dr. Cuevas said to Connor. “You’re still mourning the loss of Lucy. I can see it in your eyes. And, Austin, you’re a professional baseball player with a strict schedule. Do you really think you will be able to raise this baby on your own?”
“I’m pretty much good at everything,” Austin answered, making Connor snort.
“Doubtful,” Dr. Cuevas responded. “I try to think the best of my patients, but Austin, you’re not ready to be a single parent. You have no clue the kind of tidal wave this baby will bestow upon you. One sleepless night and you will be begging for Connor to help you out.”
Austin laughed, but was stopped by Dr. Cuevas’ angry voice.
“Austin, have you ever spent the night nursing a restless baby? Have you ever experienced a diaper blow out? Baby crap on the walls, on your face, on your clothes, all in the middle of the night after a killer day out on the field?”
“No, but…”
Dr. Cuevas held up her hand. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.” She folded her hands together and took a deep breath. “Normally, I wouldn’t get myself so involved with my patients’ home lives, but since you two are just waiting to be a walking disaster, I have no choice but to force you two upon each other to make this work.”
“You can’t do that,” Austin defended.
“Oh, really? You don’t think I can talk to child services about how unfit I think you both would be as parents?”
Connor’s stomach plummeted to the floor at the thought of not being able to see the baby.
“Please, don’t do that,” Connor pleaded, realizing the impact Dr. Cuevas could have on his future with the baby.
“You wouldn’t,” Austin countered, sounding slightly more scared.
“I would. I’ve spent a great deal of time with Lucy, and I know she would want nothing more than for her baby to grow up in a loving and positive environment. If I have to, I will report the both of you. I am not afraid to do so, so don’t tempt me.”
The gulp of both Connor and Austin echoed in the room at Dr. Cuevas’ threat.
“So, what do we need to do in order for you to be satisfied with our parenting?” Connor asked.
Normally, Austin would have added a smart ass remark, but Connor noticed a quick change in the asshole’s demeanor.
“First of all, you are going to name the baby. He needs a name, and donkey cum is not going to be it.” Austin snorted, but was quickly shot a glare by Dr. Cuevas. “Secondly, you’re going to live together.”
“Oh, fuck no,” Austin quickly added.
“Dude,” Connor whacked his shoulder. “Did you not just hear her?”
“Of course you would agree with her. You’ve always had a mad crush on me. You’re probably sporting a half chub just at the thought of sleeping in the same house as me.”
“Yup, only a half chub, since there isn’t enough room with the tent you’ll be popping, big enough for us to stay under.”
“I’m glad you’re finally recognizing the fact that my dick is bigger than yours.”
“Enough!” Dr. Cuevas yelled. “Clearly, you two are not ready to be parents. I have no other choice than to revoke your parenting privileges.”
“No,” Both Connor and Austin said at the same time.
Dr. Cuevas raised her eyebrow at the both of them, questioning their ability to get along. “I need to know you two won’t fight.”
“That’s impossible. We’re going to have our fights,” Conner countered.
“I understand that, but you need to keep in mind you are doing this for the baby.”
“I can do that,” Connor said, desperate to be a part of the baby’s life.
Both Dr. Cuevas and Connor looked at Austin to see if he could play nice. Connor could tell it pained Austin to cooperate, but he was just as determined to take care of the baby as Connor was, so he swallowed hard and said, “I can do that as well.”
“Good, so then it’s settled, you’re moving in together.”
“I have spring training,” Austin added. “It’s in Florida. Connor, I’m sure, has to work.”
“I can work from home. I’ll go to spring training with you.”
Austin’s face contorted with annoyance, but he kept his mouth shut and nodded.
“Fine. I’ll be checking up on you two every month apart from the baby’s well visits. You two will make this work. I will have the nurses get the baby ready while you pick out a name. I look forward to seeing the relationship you two will build from this.” Dr. Cuevas got up from her desk and walked over to the door. Before she left them alone, she said, “If anything, do this for Lucy.” Then she was gone.
“God, she’s a bitch,” Austin muttered once the door was shut.
“She’s right, though; we need to find a mutual ground. I know you don’t want to admit it, but I am a part of this just as much as you are. If Lucy was still with us, I would be parenting; don’t remove me from the responsibilities now, not after what I’ve already lost.”
Austin scrubbed his face vigorously and said, “You’re a real pussy, you know that?” Connor was on the verge of losing his temper just as Austin said, “Fine. We will make this work. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ll need your help, especially during the season. But if you try to go boner city on me at night, I’m cutting your balls off.”
“Nothing you need to worry about.” Connor smirked.
“We’ll see.” Austin rubbed his jean-clad thighs and said, “We need a name for the kid.”
“Clearly, you don’t like Cadman.”
“That name can suck my fucking nut sac. Where the hell did you even come up with that? Never mind, I don’t want to hear your sob story about finding the name in some creepy depressed person name book. We need a strong name, something that screams star baseball player.”
“Bryce,” Connor suggested.
“Bryce Lee sounds like he likes to stick his dick in soda cans and swing them around.”
“How is that even something that passes through your head?” Connor asked.
“Don’t want to go there. I say we call him Zander.”
“Nope, knew a guy in college named Zander. He was obsessed with his banzai trees, called them his children.”
“You would know a fucking weirdo like that,” Austin sarcastically replied. “Fine, what’s your suggestion?”
“Ezekiel.”
“Okay, now you’re fucking with me.”
“No?” Connor asked, knowing his name would be vetoed.
“That would be a fuck no.”
Silence met the both of them as they tried to think of names. Connor formed an idea and shared it with Austin. “How about Constin? A combination of our names.”
Austin sat back in his chair and studied the name for a second before grabbing a pen off Dr. Cuevas’ desk and chucking it at Connor’s head.
“You moron. Not only is that the most idiotic name I’ve ever heard, but his full name would be Constin Lee. Constantly. Thank fuck I’m here to save the boy from your moronic ideas.”
“Hmm, didn’t think of it that way.”
“Obviously. Ugh, this is too damn hard. Let’s just name him after a grandparent or something. Be done with it.”
“Fine, what was your grand
father’s name?” Connor asked.
“What was yours?” Austin said in return.
“Which one?”
“Your favorite, duh.” Austin rolled his eyes.
With a smile, Connor answered, “Amos.”
Austin tested the name out. “Amos Lee. Ahh, shit. Why do I have the worst last name ever?”
Connor actually laughed, shocked to see he could smile around the devil’s tit. “What about your grandfather?”
“Leonard.” Austin cringed.
“Leonard Lee. Hmm, I kind of like it,” Connor said. “And it’s nice that it’s an “L” name in honor of Lucy. She would have liked the name Leonard, she was old fashioned like that.”
“Are we really going to name him Leonard?” Austin asked.
“Seems like it.”
Austin shook his head and stood up. “Shit, this kid has no chance. Two dads, no mom, and a fucking name like Leonard. Good luck, buddy.”
Connor followed Austin out of the office with a smile on his face. Raising a child with Austin was going to be hell, but all Connor could focus on was the fact that Austin just called him a dad. Life was about to get interesting.
Chapter 5
**Patty**
“Popcorn is done!” Albert shouted from the kitchen.
“Is that what that beeping noise was?” Patty joked, bringing in glasses from the living room to fill up with more champagne.
Champagne, popcorn, and M&Ms, an odd combination, but it was loosening Jane up a bit, something Patty was grateful for. She had a really important question to ask Jane, and given her time crunch, she needed to ask it sooner rather than later.
Before Marc left for Florida, he told her he wanted to get married as soon as possible, meaning, they would be tying the knot in three months. Therefore, she was getting Jane a little drunk so she could ask her to be her maid of honor.
At first, she wasn’t going to ask Jane, because of everything she had been through and who Marc’s best man was going to be, but Marc insisted she asked Jane, saying they needed to help the couple out. Patty didn’t like meddling in other people’s lives, but Jane was falling down a slippery slope, and no one could get through to her, not even Albert’s tough love.