Page 62 of Delayed Penalty

If anything, though, at least I know I’m about to eat some of the best bagels… ever. Ellie and I chatted about our cravings when we were at Hudson’s, and we’ve both been violently craving bagels… and carbs, in general, but mostly bagels.

It’s a new craving for me, but definitely one I’ve been enjoying.

When I walk into Stella’s, I’m happy to see it’s not as busy as it usually is, and I spot the girls already sitting at a corner table, Gwen walking in right behind me.

“Hi, Avery!” she says with a smile, pulling me into a familiar feeling hug, one that just makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

“Hi, how are you?” I say as she links arms with me and leads me over to the rest of the group.

“I’m good,” she says with a smile. “I’m exhausted, but that’s mainly because with hockey starting to pick back up, they are either skating or at the gym, but at the same time Cade’s needy as fuck so I feel like I haven’t been sleeping.”

I can’t help but giggle thinking about the big six-foot-four goalie being so needy, but it’s honestly not hard to picture. He’s like a grumpy teddy bear, but if you’ve been in the room with the two of them for even two second you’d be able to tell how much he adores her.

“I have a hard time seeing him that way.” I laugh.

“Oh, he’s the worst,” Gwen jokes as we take a seat next to the other girls. Thankfully, they’re already sitting down with snacks ordered and waters out, because ya girl needs to eat, pronto.

“How are you, Ellie? Feeling any better?” I ask, it’s nice having someone who has not only experienced pregnancy before but is also just a bit further along than me. It sort of gives me a way to know what to expect, but to also have someone to talk to that has gone through it.

Even if she is no longer dealing with morning sickness while I definitely still am.

Bullshit? Yes, but life’s a bitch sometimes.

“I’m feeling better,” Ellie says with a smile. “Still surviving on bagels and cream cheese but I’m getting more energy so that’s nice. You?”

“Still dying. Pretty sure they need to rename what they call morning sickness because I’m about to sue for false advertising. I should not be throwing up the second I wake up and wanting to throw up all the way until I crash at night. Harris has gotten me on the bagel kick so that’s been helpful.”

“Oh?” Sawyer says with a smirk. “How is Mr. Harris? Taking care of you all right?”

I blush, unable to help it because the first thing in my mind is the day he definitely took care of me extremely well.

“He is,” I say quietly. “He’s been very helpful through the process, making sure to help take care of me.”

“What is he having to help you take care of?” Gwen says with a giggle, waggling her eyebrows in a suggestive way. “Ellie, weren’t you mentioning that there area lotof needs that Trevor was enjoying helping you manage?”

“Not my fault pregnancy makes me horny af,” Ellie quips back. “But he doesn’t seem to mind helping me with those needs. It’s my need for chocolate milkshakes and salty French fries inthe middle of the night that I’m pretty sure might send him to an early grave, but he still gets them for me.”

“Yeah, I’d be surprised if he did mind, like it’s such a hardship to fuck all the time. Plus, who doesn’t love fries and milkshakes in the middle of the night?” Cassie deadpans. “What about you, Avery? Is Harris dealing with the same struggles?”

I feel everyone’s eyes fall on me, my cheeks getting hotter by the second as the blush rushes up my chest and my neck until finally spreading onto my cheeks. Based on the little smirks the girls have on their faces right now, I’m pretty sure they can all tell I have a secret.

Damn me for not having a poker face. It’s not my fault if my mouth doesn’t say it my face does. This is definitely one of those time that this does not come in handy.

“I mean, we definitely are not fucking all the time. Hell, the one time we did, I got pregnant. Okay, even that’s a lie. We had sex in one twelve-hour period which is when this happened,” I say, gesturing down to my swollen belly.

“No one said anything about sex. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourselves or each other, especially when you have needs.” Sawyer says.

“Aka, when you’re horny as fuck,” Gwen adds.

“You’re not wrong. I swear I’m always horny, I can only imagine how I’ll be when I get pregnant. I mean, we both already have needs, quite frequently. Hell, Rex loves a good blowie, and half the time I think he just loves my mouth on his cock when he’s stressed, and I’m usually more than happy to help him out.”

“Same,” Cassie says. “Max loves his foreplay—all of it. That man isalwayshungry.”

“I was hungry until you said that.” Sawyer glares as she sets down her chip.

This is one of those moments where I want to hide behind this conversation, immediately nervous about being so open andhonest with friends, but this is what I’ve always wanted. I’ve always wanted to have close girlfriends I can gossip with, share the dirty details of my life, and just be open with and it feels crazy I might have finally found that.

That person used to be Harris. When we were together, we shared everything. We had amazing sex, a loving and spicy relationship that was incredible… until it wasn’t. But when he left, I only had Kelly and that’s when I realized I was missing out on important relationships and friendships in my life.

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