Scoring Position Strike Zone Series Book 3

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Bailey

      I can't believe this happened. I'm not careless about sex. I'm not flippant when it comes to protection. I'm pregnant. I'm having Dillon's baby. We haven't even been together for four months. How am I supposed to do this?

      He didn't seem worried when I broke the news to him last night. He actually was excited, happy about it. I thought he would be upset, worried at least, that I was trapping him. I'm not, but I know what this looks like. I know what will be in the gossip columns soon.

      Chewing on my lip as I wait for my coffee to brew, I wonder if I should disappear for a while. Dillon has dealt with enough media attention lately. I'm sure he doesn't want to be harassed over me and my situation again. We just got through his hearing and Erik's torment, the last thing he needs is this.

      "Last night was perfect! Don't you think?" Dillon strolls into the kitchen, sweating rolling down his bare chest from his morning workout and a smile on his face.

      "What?" I don't know how he considers this perfect.

      "The wedding. It was perfect for Nate and Kayleigh. Oh, no baby, you can't have that. Caffeine free for you and this little one. I'm not taking any chances with you two." Rubbing his palm over my belly, he distracts me long enough to pry my mug from my hand. Casually, he kisses my forehead as he takes my precious coffee and dumps it down the drain.

      "I needed that," I whisper to myself. My eyes look longingly at the empty mug.

     "Nope. We'll get you some herbal tea later. Gotta make sure everything is okay in there. When are you going to the doctor to get checked out?" His arms wrap around my waist and pull me against his chest.

      "I don't know. Why?" I'm really confused by his perky disposition this morning. I'm not a morning person, I'm definitely not a person to talk to before my first cup of coffee. The one he just dumped out.

     "I'm going with you." He announces with a hard kiss on my lips. Going to the fridge and getting a jug of juice out, he begins asking questions I don't have answers to. "When can we hear the heartbeat? How long before we know if it's a boy or girl? I've got to look into the league's policy on paternity leave. Do you know?"

      "I... don't... know. Dillon, you're really excited about this?" Slowly, I ask this. How is he not upset? Worried? I'm worried!

      I know what this looks like. We've been together for a few months and BAM! I'm pregnant and the hot shot bachelor that every female wants is the daddy. I've been fired by one team for dating a player and fired from another because I'm with another one. Every media source is going to be talking about this for months and will start up again when the baby's born. I can't escape it.

      Dillon doesn't seem bothered that we're going to be in the spotlight the entire time. I'm going to be starting a new career, and getting fat in front of the world. Women tend to be judged unfairly on our weight constantly but more so when they're in the spotlight.

      I remember what poor Emma Bradford went through. The media was cruel and demeaning to her. They judged her and she wasn't in the spotlight, her husband was. It's ugly and punishing, all because we have a life growing inside us.

      Dillon doesn't have to deal with that. He'll have beers bought for him and cigars will be passed out, congratulating him on putting his little swimmers in me. He won't gain an ounce, he won't have morning sickness or swollen ankles. He'll smile and laugh, while I'm crying at Hallmark movies. It's not fair.