Hart of the Matter (A Love of the Game Novella) Read Online Free

damned if I go out like that. 
     

Chapter Five
     
    Bailey traveled to North Carolina for winter break, giddy with happiness that she and Harley had almost six weeks together before she had to return to school. 
    The baby was due at the end of December and if the size of her friend’s belly was any indication, it was going to be a thirty-pounder. 
    They’d tried to figure out the sex during two ultrasounds but the little thing kept its legs closed demurely so there was no way to tell.  Everyone else bet on it being a boy but Bailey knew God was going to give her the gift of a little girl to spoil rotten.
    Dragging Harley out of the house was a Herculean task but Bailey always got her way. 
    “I’m huge.  I can’t even see my feet.  Do we have to go to the mall?” Harley whined.
    “If I listen to you, we’ll be curled up in front of the television watching the Bourne Trilogy again, dressed in sweats, and stuffing our faces with takeout.”  Pausing, because that sounded really damn good, Bailey shook her head.  “Though Matt Damon’s fine ass is tempting, I have to shop for you and the baby, damn it.”
    “You’re still mad about the baby shower, huh?”
    “Fucking furious, bitch!”
    “Who in the hell would we have invited, Bailey?  It’s embarrassing enough to be eighteen, pregnant, with baby daddy drama.  I don’t want to have balloons and streamers to draw more attention.  I already feel like Maury is going to pop out in front of me half the time.”
    Sighing, Bailey nodded.  “Fine.  I still need to buy shit.  Now, go pull on those panties that can be used as boat sails in an emergency and get your ass out here.”
    “You are so fucking mean.”
    “It’s all part of my charm, sister-friend.  You have three minutes.  I’ll help you with your shoes.”
    “Like, no kidding, you’ll have to.  The only ones I can manage myself are those ugly boots I just step into for the winter.”
    Bailey gave a dramatic shiver.  “Let’s not speak of it.  Those boots give me hives.”
    An hour later, after two more bathroom breaks for Harley and a quick yogurt snack, they were finally pulling into the mall. 
    Where Bailey promptly lost her fucking mind buying gifts for her best friend and future niece.
    Raised middle-class, Bailey and Harley had never talked about money.  Everyone in their families had always worked hard, paid bills, and took a nice vacation once or twice a year. 
    What no one realized was that Bailey had been making money online for years.  She started her first website at fifteen – offering fashion and makeup tips for other girls her age – and by the time she entered college, there were four additional sites. 
    Her degree was another layer of legitimacy but she didn’t really need it. 
    There was no one on earth she loved spending money on as much as Harley because she was the easiest person to please.  Having an adorably pregnant woman follow her around stores was a unique experience.
    However, there came a point that if one more middle-aged lady put her hand on Harley’s stomach, Bailey was going to make sure she pulled back a nub. 
    Personal bubble, damn.
    She made multiple trips to the car so they didn’t have to carry the haul and she of the swollen ankles would wait patiently on a padded bench. 
    The time out of the house was so good for Harley.  She was smiling and laughing like her old self when they decided it was time to feed her.
    “Another waddle to the bathroom,” she announced as they left the last store.
    Bailey rolled her eyes.  “Stop saying you waddle.  You carry that baby so pretty, girl.  I’d look like a bass drum.” 
    “You’re going to be adorable pregnant.”
    Bailey snorted.  “I seriously doubt that.  I don’t know that I’m a mom type anyway.  I’m definitely an aunt type…look at this teeny tiny outfit!  Oh my god! ”
    Did they have to put the cutest fucking things in every window?
    Finally, they enjoyed a long