You could always count on me, darling

 "Well, sure I want to know how it's going with you two and Carrie," Axton smiled as he dribbled across the outside court behind the apartment complex. The weather was warmer, but winter seemed to have a chill near his feet. He went to make a layup and Oliver caught the ball when it bounced off the rim. Perhaps, Axton was off his game but it had felt like a long winter with such strange storms from the past month. 

"Oh, it's quite boring," Oliver's voice filled with laughter as he attempted a shot. They weren't really playing one on one basketball. Just warming up which Axton expected all it would be.

"Just the way I like it," Axton smiled back, but had to unload on Chili's unexpected morning sickness. "Sometimes, I think she needs a new job or something." He shrugged about the matter. He didn't remember this happening with Em.

"I hope she's not too miserable," Oliver said as Axton bounced the ball back to him.

"It's just," Axton sighed. "Unexpected. You know, when we think, not gonna happen again, it does. And it hits her pretty hard. It's like she needs hours of rest."

"Well, I hope she's getting checked out," Oliver said it like a reminder of some kind.

"She is," Axton assured him. "And I take it, you been sleeping good Olly?"

Oliver cracked a smiled. "I swear, Gabby could sleep through anything."

"Oh, really?" Axton smirked and took a shot at mid-court. Of course, he didn't make it, but the two kept moving as if it were a basket ball dance and the ball was the leading lady.

"Well, she's a bit of a hugger," Oliver admitted. 

Finally they took a break and Axton poured them some steaming creamed coffee from the thermos that he brought. They took a seat on the bench in the chill of the early morning. Everyone was asleep at sunrise.

"Hugger?" Axton gave him a squint.

"Yeah, it's like she's afraid I might leave, and I gotta say, there are times I would rather be on the couch," Oliver said, chilling in his thick hoodie and baggy jeans.

"You need to talk to her about that," Axton said. "Don't be afraid now. Gotta keep it real, you know."

"Uh-huh." 

Oliver nodded with a smile, but Axton knew he didn't believe him. About then, they heard another ball bouncing.

Axton looked up, it was Alfie and Gage.

"So, you two are ready to play?" Alfie asked as he dribbled a bit and showed off his ability to not miss a shot.

"Dang, what have you been up to, boy?" Axton chuckled with his arms stretched out across the back of the bench. "Don't you two want to have some coffee?"

"I think I do."

Gage trotted across the court and was happy to see the coffee in an extra cup sporting the Coffee Shop logo.  Of course, Alfie was busy practicing his basketball moves.

"You think he knows when to quit?" Axton asked.

"Oh, he's just anxious," Gage whispered. "There's a possibility Zoey might be pregnant."

"Then why isn't he home with her?" Axton scowled.

"He makes her nervous and then..you know, it's contagious I guess."

Gage shrugged as he sipped his coffee. Of course, Alfie kept taking shots as if he needed to tire himself out.