Page 89 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

Sure enough, when I open the door, she stands on the other side with a beaming smile and an iced coffee in hand.

“I love you,” I say, taking the coffee from her.

She laughs and sets her purse down on the counter. “I thought you might could use something.”

“You have no idea.”

Rory gives a small cry from his bassinet. He’s only a few weeks old, but I swear he’s already started to change so much. It’s like every time I close my eyes, I open them to find something new about him.

“What are you up to little man?” She bends over the bassinet, taking him in. “He’s so cute, Bertie.”

“I think he is too, but I’m biased.”

“Do you mind if I hold him?”

“Not at all,” I reply. I scoop my hair up and let the air hit the back of my neck for a moment before I let the waves drop back down.

She washes her hands before she scoops him out of the bassinet. “I still need to change him, and I need to put a little makeup on. I know I look terrible, but I don’t feel like changing.” I gesture to my black leggings and sweater.

“You look just fine,” she assures me, rocking Rory in her arms.

My phone buzzes from where I left it on the bed and I scurry over to grab it.

Rosie: Are you sure you don’t want us to pick you up for the game? We don’t mind, I swear. We have the room!

“Hey, Rosie and Daire are offering to pick us up if you’d rather ride with them.” I had told Rosie no when she asked before since Jocelyn had already offered to pick me up, but considering the madness I expect to be around the arena she might appreciate having the ride.

“That’s fine,” she replies, smiling at the baby. “It gives you more time with your friends too.”

Me: A ride would be great.

She replies back almost instantly.

Rosie: We’ll be there in thirty.

“You’ve got him?” I ask Jocelyn.

“Yes.” She taps his nose, swaying with him in her arms. “We’re good. You do what you need to.” She waves me away.

I shut myself into the bathroom and quickly dab on some makeup. I used to religiously put my makeup on every morning, but having a newborn is exhausting so now it feels like a luxury to even put some mascara on my lashes.

I don’t have much time, but I try not to rush because time to myself is rare and I want to enjoy being able to do something for myself.

When I’ve finished with my makeup, I attempt to do something with my hair, but it’s useless. The strands are dry and limp. I end up pulling it back into a bun and calling it a day.

By the time I step out of the bathroom there are roughly five-minutes until Rosie and Daire arrive. I grab the diaper bag and do a quick check to make sure I’m not missing anything.

“Pacifiers,” I mutter to myself and open the drawer beside the bed where I always keep a few stashed for the middle of the night. I drop them into the bag. “Okay, that’s everything.”

“Do you want me to change him?” Jocelyn asks.

“Oh, yeah. Hold on. Luke got him an outfit while he was in California.” I had left the outfit out to remind me to change him just for before we left but I find it on the floor halfway under the dresser, so it explains why I forgot.

Scooping up the teddy bear outfit I drop it on top of the changing table before I take Rory from Jocelyn.

I change his diaper and put him in the new outfit, adding a blue hat with ears on top, and socks. I don’t want him to get cold in the arena. We’re supposed to be in a suite, but I don’t know if they’re warmer or not. This is all new to me.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I assume it’s Rosie letting me know they’re here.