Chapter 9

chapter

nine

Max

ME: Y'all busy?

LUNA: What's up?

SHELBY: I'm here.

ME: I've got news.

ME: I found my girl.

LUNA: What?

SHELBY: Where?

ME: You're not even going to believe this. She's my team captain's sister.

LUNA: Does she live in Austin too?

SHELBY: That's a sign right there.

ME: There's more.

LUNA: Oh no, is she married?

ME: Nothing like that.

ME: She's pregnant. I'm going to be a daddy.

My phone rings a moment later with an incoming video call, I press to answer and both of my sisters' faces come into view.

"Y'all are together?"

"Obviously," Luna says.

"Pregnant? Spill it baby boy," Shelby says.

"I'm just gonna hit the highlights. Yes, it's mine. Yes, we used protection. Every time."

They exchange a quick glance. "Will you do a paternity test? Just to be certain?" Luna asks.

"Only if she asks me to do one." I hold up a hand when I can see them both gearing up to say more. "Listen, I found her again. That legit means she's my soulmate which I knew that night. The baby is further proof that we belong together. I'm going to propose."

Shelby's eyes round. "What? This soon?"

Luna gives her a look. "Girl, how long did it take you and Dane?"

"Shut up. That's not the point."

"It kinda is the point. I don't remember much about mom and dad, but I do know that they loved each other. And I do know their story because y'all told me repeatedly while I was growing up. They met and a week later they were engaged.

"Then you two found your guys and while I don't think any man would be good enough for either of you, Mason and Dane love you right. I couldn't ask for anything more. Our family falls fast and hard, but it's real. So damn real."

Now both of my sisters are crying, sniffling and wiping their eyes.

"You're all grown up," Luna says.

Shelby gives me a watery smile. "And you've grown into the very best man. We're proud of you."

"So proud," Luna says.

"Anything we can do to help?" Shelby asks.

"Not yet. I think I've got this. Though convincing my girl we're forever might be a challenge." I smile. "I'm up for it though. She's worth any fight I have to go through."

"We're happy for you," Luna says.

"And about the baby," Shelby agrees.

I can still see a measure of hesitancy in their eyes, but they've resigned themselves to supporting me now so it's doubtful they'll say anything else. I know I'm young. Most twenty-two-year-old men are still trolling bars looking for a hook-up. And yes, I know Charlotte and I met in a bar, but that was different.

I wasn't actually looking for her. I just found her.

Now I'm going to keep her.