CALDER

“When is Uncle Hayden going to be here, daddy?”

“Right now,” Hayden says, causing Shea to squeal loudly when he scares her from behind and picks her up. “Were you worried I wasn’t going to come?” He spins her then sets her on his hip.

“You’re late.”

“I know, please forgive me.”

Shea ridiculously sighs. “Fine, only this time, though.”

“Thank god.” A devilish smile appears over his face as he starts walking toward the pool, Shea understanding her fate in seconds.

“No, no, no,” she laughs, squirming in his arms.

“Oh, it’s going to happen little girl. Get ready, you’re about to get wet.” Like the “Uncle” that he is, he counts to three then tosses a bathing-suit-wearing Shea into the pool, who luckily already knows how to swim. Thanks to my brother.

I point my grilling spatula at him and say, “You realize you just started a war, right? And Rachel is ALWAYS on Shea’s side. It’s hell man.”

Hayden grabs a beer from the cooler next to the grill and says, “Oh please, you fucking love it.”

“I do.”

Speaking of my girl, Rachel walks up to me, a plate of patties in her hand, a glittering ring on her finger, claiming her as mine, and a little belly poking out from under her tight-fitting shirt.

A month after Rachel met Shea, and after seeing their immediate connection, I wasted no time in proposing to Rachel. We wasted no time in getting pregnant, either. We have yet to get married, but we will do that in time, we’re just trying to enjoy our little family right now.

And Rachel’s hormones at the current moment, fuck, she has me bending her over at least twice a day, if not three times. If my dick makes it through this pregnancy, it will be an absolute miracle.

Although it will be worth it, because there is something to be said about seeing the woman you love carry your baby—it’s such a beautiful sight. But what’s even more beautiful is watching your daughter talk to your girl’s belly every night, telling it stories.

Want to make me melt, just show me a video of that. I’m done.

“Hayden, we haven’t seen you in a while.” Rachel leans over and places a kiss on his cheek, before walking into my arms, where I gently squeeze her ass and press a tongue-filled kiss against her mouth. She moans quietly, making me hard in an instant. It’s that easy with this woman.

“Maybe it’s because this is all you two do, make people uncomfortable with your love.”

“Oh don’t be jealous, man, just because your girl wants something casual doesn’t mean you need to hate on us long-term, committed couples.

With far too much interest, Rachel turns in my embrace, practically bouncing up and down. “You have a girl? When did this happen? Why haven’t you told me?” She swats me on the stomach. “And you knew?”

“It’s not serious, there was no need to tell you about Hayden’s whoring ways.”

“As a tripod, we tell each other everything. I told you about my sore nipples the other day.”

Hayden lifts his beer at Rachel in salute. “Yeah, thanks for that text by the way. You know, we don’t have to tell each other everything. It’s okay to keep some things a secret.”

“No secrets in a tripod. So who’s this girl?”

Hayden shrugs, trying to act casual, but there’s an underlying hurt in his eyes. “My good friend, Racer, introduced me to her this summer.”

“Oh, tell me more.”

Knowing Rachel is persistent, Hayden gives in without putting up much of a fight. “We met at a party. I didn’t think much of it. She knows I play hockey and she’s a nurse. Our schedules clash, especially during the season, so we decided to keep things casual, knowing there is an end to our summer fling.”

“But you like her,” Rachel cuts in before he can admit it himself.

Running his hand over his face, he nods. “Yeah, I like her.”

“So what’s the problem?”

Biting on his lip, Hayden glances in my direction and his entire demeanor turns sullen. “My, uh, agent called me today. I’ve been traded, man.”

“What?”

Rachel gasps next to me. “You’re kidding me.”

“I wish I was. I’ve been traded to the LA Quakes. I leave in a few weeks.” Rachel and I both sit there, silent, unable to form words, just as Shea comes running up to Hayden, begging him to throw her in the pool again.

Kids are so weird.

Hayden obliges her demands then comes back to talk to us. “It sucks, really fucking bad since all my family and friends are here, but I know she’s not going to want to do something long distance, especially since she’s not willing to commit to something long-term when we’re in the same city.”

“Shit, man.” Rachel squeezes me tightly, knowing this is a huge loss for me. “I don’t know what to say.”

Hayden shrugs and then says, “Just say you’ll come visit me in LA, and for the love of God, take it easy on me when we’re on the ice. I know how you crush men, I’m not quite ready to break a rib just yet.”

Laughing, trying to take the bad news in stride, I say, “Well when you’re ready, let me know, because I would love to blast you into the wall.”

“I can’t believe this. I can’t believe you’re leaving.”

“I’ll be back. I’ll still have a home back east to visit you guys.” He bites on his bottom lip. “Is it wrong that I’m more concerned about my relationship status than where I’m going to play hockey?”

Rachel shakes her head. “No, it’s endearing actually. Means you care for this girl.”

“I do, but I guess sometimes things don’t work out. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone in LA, someone I’m meant to be with, someone who wants to be with me.”

We spend the rest of the evening reminiscing, celebrating Shea and her birthday, and playing with all the presents she got. She’s so fucking spoiled, but hey, it just means she has so many people in her life who love her, including Rachel.

She went crazy getting Shea so many toys, some educational, and a lot of things they can do together, like a bead set, and a tie-dye T-shirt kit so they can have matching shirts. Fuck, that present made my heart ache with so much love for Rachel.

It’s funny how I was so worried about Rachel and Shea. I should have known from the very beginning, from the moment I bitch slapped Rachel with my fairy wing and introduced myself as Wanda, that she was a keeper and would easily become the mom my little girl so deserves. I should have known that the girl with the blonde hair and bangs was going to sweep me off my goddamn feet and slip my world upside down in the best way possible.

Love always shows up in mysterious ways. Here’s hoping Hayden can accidentally run into love as well.

Interested in what happens to Hayden? Check out the blurb to THREE BLIND DATES right here.

"Good Morning Malibu, it’s another beautiful day on the west coast! I'm Noely Clark, your host, and I'm in the market for love…”

When the publicity team of the new local restaurant, Going in Blind, began their search for a hot, local celebrity to promote the wildly popular eatery, they couldn’t have found a better person than me.

Outgoing? Check.

Single? Check.

Open to finding love? Check.

I signed up immediately.

A hopeless romantic with an exceedingly demanding schedule, I've found it impossible to find the man of my dreams—so Going in Blind seems too good to be true! That’s until they start setting me up on dates—three very different, very attractive, very distinct blind dates—and only one thing is for certain . . .

I’m in big trouble.

"Good Morning Malibu,

I'm Noely Clark, and I have a choice to make.

The question is who will I choose: the suit, the rebel, or the jock?"