Baze
Baze stayed silent as Corey and Dom headed inside. He waited calmly as Keller and Linc finished their coffee and left for the field. When it was only he and Riley left on the patio, he cleared his throat and spoke softly. “You can’t say anything to her, it’s not your place. And she is going to wonder what’s going on if you keep avoiding eye contact and directing all your questions to Dom instead of her.”
Riley met Baze’s gaze head on. “How do I do that? It’s so hard. Every time I open my mouth I’m afraid I’ll let it out. I thought something was different about her last night, but with everything that happened I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then this morning when she was cleaning up my cuts… How long until she figures it out?”
“Not long, another week or so. Is that why you didn’t want to leave her today? You’re worried about her?”
“I guess. I don’t know, it kind of came out. I didn’t like the idea of leaving. I thought since maybe no one else knew, it was kind of up to me to watch out for her.”
“It’s nice that you care about Corey and that you want to make sure she’s safe. You’re a good kid, Riley. We’re lucky to have you.”
“Yeah, I love Corey, but I’m staying for the baby. No one else in the world knows she exists except us. I need to make sure she stays safe until her parents figure it out, then they’ll make sure she’s okay. Coach Hardy won’t let anything happen to her, right?”
Baze studied Riley. How did the kid know it was a girl? He couldn’t possibly, yet he said it with such conviction. Riley was tuned in to that little baby. Baze’s powers were stronger than Riley’s, and even he couldn’t sense the gender. Not yet anyway. “Dom will protect them both with his life. But today you stay here, keep an eye on our girls.” Baze got up, helped Riley to his feet, and then followed him inside.
All their lives had been turned upside down when Corey came to St. Leasing. And now, the world was days away from tilting again.