Page 11 of Delayed Penalty

“Then why does it feel that way?”

Getting the call about Flora—one they were lucky I even answered because the moment I saw the out-of-state area code, I thought for sure it was just Aiden begging for money again—felt like the most brutal delayed penalty ever. It’s as if life said,Hey, Hayes, remember that time you trashed that hotel room because you scored a hatty and wanted to party? Or in the AHL when you skipped out on praccy and got fucked up in Vegas because you were pissed Coach benched you? Or when you threw those statues into the hotel pool and caused fifty grand in damage?

Now I’m serving time for being a little shit, and I deserve every minute of it.

“Because your lifeisover,” a new voice adds.

Lucas Lawson strides through the door. He whips his towel over one shoulder, climbs onto the bike beside me, and begins slowly pumping his legs.

“It totally means your life is over,” he continues as if he’s suddenly part of this conversation. “That’s why I’m not having kids. I like my own time far too much for that. And my own space. And money. And sleep.That and I’m not good at sharing. I want all of Rory’s attention.”

Being a proud card-carrying member of the Serpents Singles Club—the official unofficial club for all the single guys on the Seattle Serpents—normally I’d fake gag or make a comment, but it’s kind of hard to when it’s clear he’s head over heels for his girl. Lucas Lawson might have been the one to start the group, but he was no match when it came to falling for Rory Sinclair, a grumpy veterinarian who could give Keller, our resident cantankerous forward, a run for his money when it comes to being irritable.

It’s still funny to me that the so-called leader of the singles club is no longer single himself. Nor is our captain, Hutch, who just happened to fall for Rory’s twin sister, Auden, last season too. I’m not entirely surprised it happened. Back when I played for the Carolina Comets, a group of guys swore they’d never fall in love, and, well, look how that played out. They’re all in committed relationships now.

Not me, though. No way in hell am I going down that path. I made a promise to myself to never, ever drag someone into all the bullshit life has dealt me, and given where I’m at now with Flora, I intend to hold on to that promise even more.

“Don’t you have, like, three pets or something?” Fox asks.

Lawson gasps. “How dare you forget about DK! That sweet little baby doesn’t deserve that. Between Daisy, Duke, DK, and Rory’s demon cat, Hades, we have four, thank you very much.”

“You really went with DK, huh?”

“Uh, yeah.” He gives me an incredulous look likeI’mthe one out of line here. “Donkey Kong is the best character in Mario Kart, and my little English bulldog is a chunky dude just like the monkey. It’s fitting.”

“It’s stupid.”

“You’re stupid,” he fires back with a proud smirk, even though we both sound like children. “Anyway, I’m Team Hayes on this. Kids ruin everything.”

“So Rory doesn’t want kids either?” Fox asks.

“God, no. She can barely tolerate me. Do you really think she wants to bring an actual human into this world?” He shudders. “She’d never.”

“And you’ve talked about this?”

“I…” He pauses, his brow furrowing. “Well, no. But I know her. We’re on the same page with it. We’re…” He shakes his head, then shoves off the bike. “Fuck it. I’m texting her.”

He marches out of the room, heading for his phone, which he’s no doubt left in his bag in the locker room.

Fox laughs lowly, resuming his pace. “You know, it’s still a shock to me every day that he found someonewho puts up with him. Especially after his little confession this morning.”

“What a way to wake up.”

“For Rory and us.” He shakes his head. “So, how are things really?”

I repress my sigh. It’s not that I don’t appreciate Fox asking questions, it’s just that I feel like that’s alleveryonehas done this summer. My lawyer. My agent. My GM. Coach Smith. Bess. Hell, even my real estate agent has checked in with me several times. And that doesn’t even include several guys from the team,plusthe Serpents Singles Club. Even old teammates from the Comets have been in touch.

It’s constantlyHow are things with Flora? How are you adjusting? How areyoudoing, Hayes?Variations of the same thing, over and over. I appreciate Fox checking in, but it’s erring on the side of annoying now, especially when I’m just trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

“About as well as they are expected to be when you get handed a kid you never knew existed.”

Fox winces, and all I can think isSame, dude.That’s pretty much been my reaction for the last few months.

The initial phone call about my brother’s shenanigans that landed us in this mess?Wince.

The judge declaring me sole guardian of Flora?Wince.

Having to tell my GM and coaches what’s going on?Wince.

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