Page 71 of Pucking Off-Sides With My Brother's Best Friend

Aiden’s words are clipped and final, and inside, I internally cheer. It isn’t until I hear a loud clatter that I rush to the kitchen doorway. Aiden turns, his eyes widen when he sees me standing there. I’m not sure if I should apologize for overhearing or congratulate him for telling his dad to kick rocks.

“Did you need to use the kitchen?”

I shake my head, trying to give myself a bit more time to think. “No, I just…” I don’t know what to say to keep from triggering his defenses. Really, I just want to wrap him in the biggest hug and squeeze him tight.

It’s crazy because this feeling of protectiveness is new for me. I mean, I’ve always been a little protective of Jax, but he’s my brother, so that’s to be expected.

But the way I feel for Aiden now is so, so different. And I like it. I like feeling like I could provide something, even if it is just…

Before I can decide what to do, I’m already moving, wrapping my arms around his big shoulders, sighing when his arms secure around me.

“I’m so proud of you for standing up to your dad.”

I wait for him to say something biting or to push me away, but instead, he relaxes into me, and I can’t stop myself from holding him tighter.

“Thanks.”

That one little word cuts through all my defenses, and I cup a hand around his cheeks to pull his face toward mine. When our lips meet, I can’t hold in my sigh of relief. The feelings are there, just as I knew they would be. How I hadn’t realized the extent of my feelings for him till now is anyone’s guess.

“Well?” Aiden asks, his voice low and troubled. My heart sinks— he clearly understood my cryptic text.

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “You figured it out, huh?” A sigh escapes me before I can stop it. “I haven’t taken the test yet. The box says it’s more accurate first thing in the morning.”

Aiden’s face clouds over with a look of regret, making my stomach churn. “Aurora, I... I can’t do a baby right now. I’m just getting my shot at a real career. A kid would...”

“Ruin everything?” I finish for him, my voice coming out flat and cold. “Got it.”

The words hang in the air between us, heavy and final. For a moment, neither of us moves. Then, unable to bear the weight of his gaze any longer. I turn and stumble away from the kitchen,Aiden’s words echoing in my head like a cruel mantra. “I can’t do a baby right now.” Each syllable feels like a knife twisting in my gut. Tears blur my vision as I practically run to my room, desperate to escape.

Shutting the door behind me with a soft click, I slide down against it, my whole body trembling. I get it. I do. I mean, I’m totally not ready for a baby either. But hearing him say it out loud... it’s like someone’s ripped my heart out and stomped on it.

My eyes land on the pharmacy bag on my dresser. Three pregnancy tests, mocking me from across the room. I’m two weeks late, and the not knowing is slowly killing me. With trembling hands, I grab the bag and lock myself in the bathroom.

The tests line up on the counter like little jurors, ready to deliver a life-changing verdict. I rip open the first box, my fingers fumbling with the wrapper. As I wait for the results, my mind races through a thousand scenarios. A baby. Aiden’s baby. The thought sends a jolt of terror and... something else through me. Something that feels dangerously close to longing.

Two minutes feel like an eternity. I pace the small bathroom, chewing my nails down to the nub. When the timer on my phone finally chimes, I nearly jump out of my skin.

With a deep breath, I force myself to look at the test. One pink line. My knees buckle, and I have to grab the counter to stay upright. Not pregnant. Holy shit.

We’re okay.

Relief floods through me, so intense it’s almost painful. But mixed with it is a twinge of... disappointment? I push that feeling away, refusing to examine it too closely.

Before I can overthink it, I’m rushing back to the kitchen, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. Aiden’s still there, hunched over the counter with his head in his hands. He looks up when I enter, and the raw emotion in his eyes nearly floors me. Then, suddenly, he’s moving, crossing the kitchen in two long strides. His hands cup my face, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath.

“Aurora, I—“ he starts, his voice rough with emotion. His eyes, usually so guarded, are wide open and vulnerable. He swallows hard as if the words are physically difficult to get out. “I don’t care if you’re pregnant or not,” his grip moves to my waist. “I was an idiot earlier. A complete fucking moron. I just... I panicked. The thought of a kid scared the shit out of me.”

He takes a shaky breath, his gaze never leaving mine as he continues. “But what I realized is I’m way more terrified of losing you. Of screwing this up. Whatever happens—baby, no baby, anything life throws at us—I want to face it with you. I want—“

“It’s negative,” I blurt out, cutting him off mid-sentence.

My heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear my own voice. Part of me wants to take the words back, to let him finish what he was saying. What if I’ve ruined the moment? What if he was about to say something life-changing?

Aiden freezes, his arms still wrapped around my waist. For a moment, he just stares at me, processing. Then, “It’s... negative?”

I nod, feeling fresh tears spill over. “Yeah. I’m not... we’re not...” The words catch in my throat. Relief crashes over me like a wave, but right behind it comes a surprising undercurrent of disappointment. My chest feels tight like I can’t decide whether to laugh or sob. These conflicting emotions tangle inside me, leaving me dizzy and overwhelmed.

Without warning, he pulls me into a crushing embrace.

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