Fighting Control (Bay State Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

She says it helps the baby with separation anxiety.”
    “That she is my friend.”
    “So how's fatherhood treating you? I haven't seen you this happy in... Shit, I don't think I've ever seen you look so fucking sappy. Kind of makes me want to hurl in my mouth,” Frank teases Braydon and I have to agree, I haven't seen him more than a handful of times in the years my brothers were in college and again about the same since I've been home, but yeah, I have to agree he looks pretty happy.
    “Hey, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'm smitten. She is the most perfect, precious, little gift I could have ever asked for. That little girl already has me wrapped around her finger and she's only a week old.” He laughs and tries to quickly cover up the evidence of one lone tear as it slides down his cheek.
    I try. I really do. I try not to notice Eric as he glares at me while sitting next to the woman he left me for. Or at least I assume he did. How else did they end up marrying so quickly? Every time I glance in his general direction I can feel his stare.
    My attention is brought back to the here and now as George joins in on the ribbing and Brent and Sarah excuse themselves and head out onto the dance floor. “Haha, you sap. Why don't you just cry about it.”
    That earns him a death glare from Ilyanna. “You just fucking wait. I can't wait until you have kids. It comes back tenfold you know. Don't say I didn't warn you.”
    “Well it's a good thing I don't ever plan on having kids.”
    “You say that now but once you find the right girl you'll change your mind. I think it's sexy how a baby can break a man down.” Ilyanna throws a wink at her fiancé and breaks out in a huge grin when Braydon puffs out his chest with pride.
    “So not going to happen. Let's just leave it at that. I know who I want and she doesn't want me. End of story. Can we please change the subject?” George says and looks pissed like Ilyanna's hit a nerve. Funny, I've never heard him mention anyone before. Maybe it's someone he was involved with while I was away at school. Maybe he started seeing Claudia again. They were an item when I was in highschool but they broke up before he finished college. That was six years ago. I make a mental note to ask him about this mystery woman some time and file it away for later. Right now we're celebrating. It’s time to party.
    “Who wants to go to the bar and have a couple rounds of tequila on me?” I ask and I realize it's been a while since I've seen Eric.
    “Hell yeah, Now you're talking sis.” George seems rather pleased with the topic change.
    “Lead the way,” Ilyanna says and stands to follow me while the guys walk a few paces behind us, talking about something I can't quite hear. Probably just some guy bullshit I don't want to listen to anyway.
    “So have you thought at all about having a baptism for Haylee?” I ask, knowing both Ilyanna and Braydon are Catholic, I'm sure they want to have it sooner rather than later.
    “We're actually planning it for the end of next month. We have an appointment at Holy Cross this week. I'm super excited.” She's smiling from ear to ear, which she does every time she talks about her daughter.
    I can just feel the love radiating off of her as her eyes shine with wonder and I can't help the jealousy that creeps up within me. I tramp it down and focus on the joy I feel for my friends. “I absolutely love that one. Nothing beats the beauty of a Catholic church and Holy Cross definitely sets the bar.”
    The guys finally catch up as we reach the bar and stand protectively around us as we squeeze between the other patrons crowding the space, waiting for their turns to order. When I finally get the bartender's attention, I order a shot for each of us and we quickly down them.
    After four or maybe ten I can't quite remember, I drag Ilyanna onto the dance floor and we find Sarah as one of my favorite songs come on. It's like we're not even dancing next to her, she's too