Page 81 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“No, this is for you.” He stands at my side, his hand on my shoulder where his thumb rubs in slow circles against the spot where my pulse races.

Unfolding the paper, I smile when I see the name. “It’s perfect.”

“Yeah,” he kisses the side of my head. “It is.”

CHAPTER 29

LUKE

“Welcome home, Rory,” I say as I set the baby carrier down on the floor. He yawns in response. He’s only three days old and I think he’s already embarrassed of us.

“I want to shower,” Bertie pleads. “That hospital shower was awful.”

“Do you need help?” I ask.

“I … Maybe. I’ll leave the door cracked just in case. Can you handle him?”

I unclip the straps across his chest. “Of course.”

She gives me a relieved smile. “I think I’ll feel like a whole new person once I can wash my hair.”

She grabs some fresh clothes from the dresser and disappears into the bathroom while I sit down on the couch with Rory. He’s practically drowning in his little outfit—a blue zippered thing with sports icons on it—despite it being newborn size. His weight went down while we were in the hospital but apparently that’s normal.

My mom is supposed to come visit later today. She wanted to come before we left the hospital but couldn’t get the time off from work since it was unexpected.

Turning the TV on, I scroll and settle on a channel replaying the Lord of the Rings movies. I haven’t watched them in forever. Not since high school, I think.

The shower turns on and the curtain rips back a moment later.

“Oh, God,” Bertie practically moans, making my treacherous dick twitch in response. “I love water pressure.”

I can’t help but laugh. Rory gives a cry of annoyance. Apparently, he doesn’t like the jostling of my laughter.

I rub his back in gentle, soothing circles. “Sorry, buddy.”

He makes a grunt in response and promptly poops.

The smell is gag-worthy.

“Jeez, little guy.” I carry him over to the dresser where we have a changing pad on top. “Let me get you cleaned up before mommy gets out of her shower or else she’s going to think she can’t leave me alone with you for five-minutes.”

He flails his limbs in response. He’s probably getting hungry again, but I’m hoping he can hold out on screaming for a few more minutes and let Bertie finish her shower in peace. Considering everything she’s been through, not just in the past few days, but in the last few months as well, she deserves some peace.

I finish putting Rory’s fresh diaper in place and zip up his pajamas.

I find myself looking down at him for a long moment, just soaking him in. His size. His big blue eyes. The shock of dark hair. I wouldn’t dare say it to Bertie, but I’m glad he came just a little early, so I get this extra solo time before preseason begins. This is time I know I’ll never get back and I fucking hate that I’m going to miss so much of it, but I also know I’m providing for him and for his mom.

Picking up the baby, I cradle him in my arms and sit back down on the sofa. The shower cuts off and I call out, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just give me a few more minutes. Does he seem hungry?”

“He’s getting there,” I reply honestly.

“I won’t be long,” she promises.

“Don’t worry,” I whisper to Rory. “Mommy will be here in just a minute.”

He gives an impatient snort in response.