Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(63)

“You ready for this, Jameson?” Paxton asked, bumping me in the shoulder.

I shrugged. “Fuck if I know. I don’t know the first thing about being a father.”

“Neither did your brother. Now look at him.”

“Yeah, but I’m different. He hasn’t screwed up as much as I have.”

“True,” he said with a laugh, “but look how far you’ve come. Your arm has healed and you’re moving even better than before. When you get back into the UFC, you’re going to f*ck people up.”

Smiling, I slapped my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Thanks, man. This wouldn’t have been possible without your help. Now all I hope is that I haven’t been blacklisted. So far, no one has come to me with fights.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll happen. It’s only been a couple of days, be patient.” Unfortunately, patience was not a virtue of mine. “Have you and B talked about what you’re going to do for the future?”

“As far as the baby?”

He nodded. “That and other things.”

“Like marriage?”

He chuckled and shrugged. “You said it, not me. I know Gabby’s stoked about having a baby close by. She hates not being near your niece and nephew.”

“Then maybe you two should have one of your own,” I teased.

“Not yet, Jameson. Gabby’s still in the prime of her career. I’d hate for her to give all of that up right now. We have plenty of time. Now getting her to marry me is another story. We’re thinking Christmas in Hawaii and inviting everyone. We’d like to have you and B there.”

“Hell yeah, we’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it. As far as our plans, we haven’t talked about them much. I think Brooklyn’s still in shock; we both are. It doesn’t seem real yet.”

“It’ll get real, soon enough.”

Brooklyn noticed us out of the corner of her eye and she brightened. I’d never had anyone look at me like that and I f*cking loved it. She was perfect . . . and she was mine.

Paxton and I walked in together and Gabby immediately started in on her antics. “It’s about time you boys showed up. B and I have been working out for hours. I have to admit, it sucks ass that I can’t kick her ass anymore. I have you to blame for that.”

“Whatever, Reynolds.” Brooklyn punched her arm. “You’re happier than a pig in shit that I can’t embarrass you in front of them anymore. I seem to recall kicking your ass plenty of times.”

She snorted. “Okay, preggers . . . settle down. You know, I am starting to think Pax should wear condoms if you boys keep knocking girls up when they’re on the pill. That’s some scary shit.”

“What can I say?” I replied with a wink. “I’m all man here, baby.” Gabby rolled her eyes and shook her head while Brooklyn laughed. She was so beautiful, even when she was covered in sweat. “You want to take a walk on the beach?” I asked her.

She nodded. “Sure. Let me put on my shirt first.” She strolled over to her gym bag and pulled out a pink T-shirt that had Twins of Terror written across the front. With a wide grin, she strutted back to me. “What do you think? I found it online and ordered a couple. I thought you’d get a kick out of it.”

Taking her hand, I pulled her out of the room and laughed, keeping a tight hold on her while we walked down the stairs. The last thing I wanted was her falling down Paxton’s steep staircase in his garage. “I haven’t seen those shirts in a long time.”

“Well, I think it’s time they make a comeback. Uh, Camden, you know I’m not helpless right?” She glanced down at our clasped hands and then back up to me. “I know what you’re doing. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s sweet, but I’m a big girl.”

As soon as we were off the steps, I let her hand go but she grabbed my arm in return and locked hers with mine. “I didn’t think you’d catch that.”

She giggled and leaned her head on my arm as we walked around Paxton’s house to the beach beyond. “At first, I didn’t, but then I started noticing some of the things you do. Like taking my hand going down the stairs, following behind me when I go up them, and even making sure you take your showers with me. Although, I have to say, our shower trysts have been some of my all-time favorites.”

They were some of mine too, but the real reason was so I could make sure she didn’t slip and fall. I really was an overprotective jackass. And now that she was pregnant, I couldn’t go a day without her wanting to ride my cock. It was f*cking awesome. My only fear was hurting her. Once the doctor told me it was healthy for her to have sex, I was all game.

“I just don’t want anything to happen to you . . . or to our baby. I can’t help but feel this overwhelming sense to protect you. Prepare yourself, I have a feeling it’s only going to get worse as the time goes on.”

“I know how you feel,” she murmured, her gaze troubled.

We had reached the water’s edge and I stopped, turning so I could face her. “What’s wrong? Is there something on your mind?”

She sighed. “Kind of. We haven’t talked much about everything and it has me worried.”

“Me too,” I admitted, catching her by surprise. “That’s why I wanted to talk. I want you to tell me what you want, what you need.”