Rebound: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Sports Romance (Bad Boy Sports Romance Book 3)

by Angela Blake

  “So you all made that decision for me?” His voice came out sounding hoarse because of the barely restrained anger.

  “I know it seems cruel to you, and I apologize. But we did what we thought was best. Would you have wanted her to grow up in that kind of world? Around those kinds of people?”

  Blaire let her words register before he responded, “No, I would’ve done everything I could to keep her away from that part of my life, but I suppose it might have been hard.”

  “Exactly, perhaps our decision was too hasty, and we should’ve included you, but when it comes to your kids, and your kids’ kids’, it isn’t always rational thought that takes control.”

  Blaire cocked his head to the side as he toyed with a piece of lint on the railing. He chipped it off, and it broke away. He watched it fly off into the wind. “I want to get to know her mum, but I think I screwed up.”

  “What did you tell Sienna?”

  “Hey,” Blaire said defensively. “How do you know it wasn’t Sienna who said something horrible?”

  “Because Sienna hasn’t called me sounding very guilty,”

  “Right, okay well, let’s just say it’s bad.”

  “You need to go to her, apologize and get to know your little girl. She really is a wonderful girl.”

  Sienna

  Sienna squinted as she pursed her lips and put one hand on her hip, the other twirled a loose piece of fabric around.

  “How are those pictures looking, Sienna?”

  “Fine,” she called out as she bit her bottom lip. She didn’t like the lighting on the second one, so she’d have to wait till she could recapture the picture, but she was sure she could do it. It would just take longer than she had expected.

  Her phone began to vibrate in her pocket, and she smiled as she pressed the phone to her ear.

  “Hi, mummy,” her daughter’s sweet voice came wafting in through the speakers.

  “Hey, baby girl, what are you up to?”

  “Guess what mummy? Grandma and I made chocolate chip cookies,” she could practically hear the sugar rush from her end, and she shook her head knowing that she had a long night ahead of her.

  “Really? I used to make those with grandma when I was little too,” she smiled wistfully, remembering how she’d sneak bits of the cookie dough into her mouth and grin unapologetically when her grandma caught her doing it.

  “Grandma has the best recipe ever,” Gracie announced, and Sienna could hear her happily munching on a cookie.

  “I know, sweetie, listen I’m going to be home in an hour, what do you want to do tonight?”

  Gracie said, “Hmmm,” really loudly and Sienna could picture her getting that far off look on her face while she thought of things to do. “Can we watch home alone and make two different types of popcorn and mix them together?”

  “Sure, bud. Like salt and caramel?”

  “Nooo!” She dragged her out O’s when she was trying to make a point.

  “Nope, I want salt and cheese,” she declared.

  Sienna wrinkled her nose then shrugged. “Okay, Gracie bear, I’ll see you soon then.”

  She pressed end and checked her watch, realizing that she had time for a quick bite before she had to hit the road.

  She was walking towards her dressing room and texting someone when she walked right into another person. She looked up at the person, an apology already formed on her lips, “Oh.”

  Blaire looked as handsome as ever, with his black hair flipped to the side, a form fitting sweatshirt and baggy jeans. He had his thumbs hooked on his pockets, and his blue eyes shone apologetically.

  “What do you want?” Sienna crossed her arms over her chest and starred at him in mild annoyance as she tapped one foot impatiently.

  “Okay, I deserve that, but just hear me out, I called Mark, and I apologized, and I called my mum, and she told me about the decision you all made to keep me out of Gracie’s life until she was older, a decision by the way, that you should have consulted me about.”

  Sienna opened her mouth to protest, but Blaire cut her off by bringing his finger to her lips, “Let me finish, please.”

  Sienna nodded and he removed his finger. “But I understand why you did it. I’m not crazy about the idea, but I know why.”

  Sienna stared at him for a beat. “So you want to get to know Gracie?” She let the question hang in the air between them, knowing that his answer could make or break a lot of things.

  “Very much so,” he said quietly.

  Sienna smiled at him gratefully. “This means a lot to her, really.”

  “I hope it does, but Sienna there’s one more thing,” Blaire shoved his hands in his pockets and fidgeted for a minute before his blue eyes met her hazel ones. They were shining with hope and fear.

  “I want a second chance with you. My desire to have a relationship with Gracie has nothing to do with it, I’ll be her father no matter what, but I really want to try again with you, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

  Sienna studied him carefully, “We’ll see,” she said finally.

  She uncrossed her arms and took out her keys, “I’m going to go pick up some things to make some dinner at home, would you like to join us?”

  Blaire looked surprised but delighted, “I’d love to.”

  They made their way to the grocery store and picked up a few things, then drove home. Sienna almost laughed at how nervous he looked. She knew Gracie would love him the second she saw him, bless her.

  They stood outside the door for a moment while Sienna fished out her keys.

  “Are you ready to meet our little girl?”

  “More than ever.”

  Sienna swung the door open, and a little voice immediately yelled out ‘mummy’ before a tiny little body came barreling into her from the living room.

  “Mummy you’re back, you’re back!”

  “Yes, my darling!” She hoisted her up and gave her a big sloppy kiss.

  “I missed you,” she threw her arms around her mum, and they both stood there, mother and daughter locked in a beautiful embrace.

  “Mummy,” she pulled back, her bright blue eyes gazed at Blaire with curiosity. “Who’s that?”

  “Well, Santa told me all about your wish, and look who I found outside the door.”

  Gracie looked confused for a second before her face broke out into a huge grin. “Daddy?”

  “Hi, Gracie,” Blaire said almost shyly. Gracie had no such qualms; she squealed and reached out for him. She held onto both her parents and gazed from one to the next adoringly.

  “Look, we’re standing under a mistletoe,” Gracie gestured upwards. “Merry Christmas,” she yelled as she hugged them both tighter and gave them each a big wet kiss on their cheeks. Out of the corner of her eye Sienna could see the look of pure adoration written all over Blaire’s face, and she was glad she had decided to seek him out. After all, there was something magical about Christmas, and it was a time for miracles.

  The sound of their laughter echoed inside the house as they went in to make the first of many family dinners together.

  THE END