Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #3) Read online

  I couldn’t agree more.

  While before I was scared of what those big things could be, if they would be good or bad, I don’t anymore. I can’t—not when I’m so in love with my husband and my baby.

  Life is too good to worry about anything.

  I just hope that doesn’t change.

  The next two weeks rush by; Thanksgiving is a blur of lots of food and pie. Good Lord, Mrs. Sinclair makes the best pie in the whole world and it was awesome. Thanksgiving with the Sinclairs is way better than with the Haverbrookes. My family was hardly ever together, and even though Jude, Claire, Jayden, and Baylor were not there, it was still a lot of fun. It’s obvious Mrs. Sinclair loves her children and hated that they couldn’t come to dinner, both away for games, but she was still the best host. It’s easy to say I love his family almost as much as I love him. They treat me like I’ve been around my whole life and they are so supportive. Mrs. Sinclair begged me to sing for her, and even Jace’s coach was impressed with my singing. It was awesome.

  I just wish I could sing in front of big crowds. Lately, it has been so bad, and I’m even struggling with going to the coffee shop. I don’t know what is going on, but the more I write with Stu, the more I like that no one has to look at me or scrutinize me while I’m singing. Jace says it’s in my head, but I don’t know, it’s just freaking me out. I’m actually nervous about the showcase that is quickly approaching, but Jace reassures me that the whole place will be full of our family, so I have nothing to worry about.

  Our family.

  God, I love the sound of that.

  While the last two weeks have been full of hockey, writing, and holidays, I have been excited for today. Today we find out what we are having, and I’m totally ready. As I sit in the lobby of the 4-D ultrasound office, Jace sits beside me, bouncing like a two-year-old as we wait to be called back. We are both so excited that we can’t even speak as we watch the door, ready to go back. Rubbing my little belly, I glance over at Jace when he looks at me.

  “Why am I nervous?”

  I smile. “I have no clue.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  I shrug. “No, why would I be?”

  “I don’t know. So you’re not?”

  “I am now!” I laugh and he smiles sheepishly.

  “I just want it to be perfect.”

  “It will be,” I say and he leans over, kissing my cheek.

  “Coming from me and you? Yeah, you’re right.”

  “Like always.” He gives me a look I grin at before shaking his head and looking back at the door. Rocking back and forth in the chair, I bite on the inside of my cheek as nervousness settles in the middle of my gut. I blame him completely. But unlike him, I’m not nervous about the appointment. I’m nervous because afterward we are meeting my parents for dinner. They came in early, like my mom had said. That surprises me but also makes me happy, I guess. I don’t know. I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

  When Jace’s hand slides into mine, I cover it with my other hand and smile over at him as he says, “I think I want a boy.”

  I laugh. “Okay, let the technician know. Hopefully, they have boys left.”

  He gives me a look and I grin. “You still want a boy, right?”

  I shrug. “I just want a healthy little nugget. That’s it.”

  He gives me a look. “So, a boy?”

  Laughing, I nod. “Yeah, a boy.”

  I’ve always wanted a son first, someone to be the rock for his siblings. I always craved that and never got it, so I want to teach my kids right. A boy would be great, but then a little girl to be best friends with would be wonderful too. I don’t know. I really do just want a healthy baby.

  “Me too, but then a little girl like you could be awesome.”

  Putting my chin against his bicep, I grin up at him. “This is true. I am awesome.”

  “I fully agree,” he says, kissing my nose just as the door opens.

  We both sit up straight as the lady calls, “Sinclair?”

  I stand first and hold my hand up. “Here.”

  “Dork, we aren’t in school,” Jace teases, standing up and smacking my butt. I glare playfully up at him as we follow the technician to the back.

  “So Avery and Jace, right?”

  I smile. “Yup.”

  “Awesome. My name is Marilu and I’ll be your technician.”

  “Great,” I say as Jace flashes her a winning grin.

  “So what we hoping for?”

  “Boy,” we both say at the same time and then we share a smile.

  “But a healthy baby is key.”

  “For sure,” she agrees as I lie back on the table and lift my shirt. I haven’t gained much weight, very little actually, but I’m carrying it all in my belly. Lucy says that’s awesome and I hope it stays like that. But knowing me and my love for anything sweet, I’m sure my ass will double in size before I know it. “Okay, this is heated gel but it’s still a little cold. My heater isn’t working right.”

  When the goo goes on my belly, I flinch a little because it’s colder than she let on. Looking over to Jace, he’s white as a ghost again, practically leaning over me to watch as she puts the probe on my belly. It so cute how he gets with all my appointments. He says he will be fine during the birth, but I highly doubt that. He’ll probably pass out.

  At first, I can’t tell what we are looking at, but then I see limbs and a head. I was sure I was going to cry. I thought seeing our little nugget would send me into a crazy crying fit, but I’m good, I’m excited. Jace is grinning from ear to ear as he points at the screen.

  “That’s it?”

  “That’s it,” Marilu says as she moves the probe. “And that’s the heartbeat,” she says, pointing to the screen, and yeah, I start crying. I don’t know why, but tears are gushing down my face as the little flicker of light goes nuts in our baby’s chest. For some reason, I’ve been thinking we live in a fairy world because, while my belly is growing, it feels fake to me. I don’t know, it’s crazy, but seeing that heartbeat makes it real.

  This is really happening.

  Panic fills my chest because what if I’m a horrible mom? What if Jace leaves me? Oh God, can I do this myself? Closing my eyes, I suck in a deep breath and then Jace is wrapping me up in his arms, dusting kisses down my jaw.

  “Are you okay?” Marilu asks and I feel Jace wave her off.

  “Give us a second, please.”

  “Sure,” she says and I feel the probe leave my belly. But I can’t move, I’m crying too hard.

  “Shh, baby. In and out,” he whispers and I pull in deep breaths, letting them out slowly as I nuzzle my nose into his neck.

  “What if I suck? What if the baby hates me? What if you don’t—”

  “Avery, shh, baby, breathe,” he demands, running his hand up and down my arm. “It’s okay. We got this, remember? Together.”

  “I don’t know why I’m freaking out so bad. It’s just so real. I saw it.”

  “Yup, our baby, it’s okay.”

  “But what if it’s not? What if while you’re traveling, I freak out because I’m overwhelmed and I’m all by myself with the baby? What did we do, Jace? Oh, God.”

  “Whoa, baby,” he says, holding me closer to him. “We will be okay. No matter what, it’s okay. Please breathe.”

  “I’m scared, Jace. I’m so scared.”

  “No, you think you are. Breathe,” he demands and when he draws in a breath, I do the same, letting it out when he does. We do this over and over again. As my heart slows in my chest, my breathing going back to normal, I know he’s right. Five seconds ago, I was excited for this. I want this, I know I do, but it was just really real for a second there. Sometimes I feel like it’s all so perfect that I psych myself out. I make myself think things I shouldn’t. I should just be happy. I should just love Jace, and I’m working on that, I am. But one thing is for damn sure. I wouldn’t be handling anything well without this guy right here.

  Pulling my face o