Page 101 of Three Pucks and a Baby

“Because you guys need to know who the father is,” Vivian replied.

With a shrug, Grayson replied, “It’s not going to change things for me.”

“Or me,” Theo replied.

When they looked at me, I said, “I’m with the rest of you guys. I don’t mind waiting until it's born.”

Vivian frowned. “But won’t it be harder to wait? I mean, not only will you be left in limbo, but you’ll have spent more time with the idea of being the biological father.”

“It was going to be hard finding out today I wasn’t the bio father, and it’ll be hard in seven months. What’s the difference?” Theo said.

“If that’s how you guys feel, then we can wait. I mean, I certainly wasn’t doing it for me.”

“Then we’ll wait.” Theo cocked his brows at me and Grayson. “Right, guys?”

“Right,” we echoed.

He turned to Vivian with a smirk. “I think we could use a little sexual healing after getting all worked up for nothing, don’t you?”

She playfully rolled her eyes. “Why is sex your answer for everything?”

Theo wagged his brows. “Can you think of a better one?”

Since I wanted to bury myself inside of her as well, I gently swept her off her feet. “Let’s take this to the bedroom,” I said with a grin.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: THEO

As I shifted uncomfortably on the leather couch, I eyed the framed diplomas on the wall. From the looks of it, Dr. Nathaniel Zeller appeared to be a pompous ass. I couldn’t imagine why Coach Murano had thought he would be a good fit for me as a therapist. Of course, considering the way I was feeling about therapy, no one on earth could ever be a good fit.

When I’d approached Coach Murano, I’d hoped he would laugh in my face. He would say there was no way in hell someone like me possibly needed therapy. Powerhouse goalies with NHL potential don’t need shrinks.

Instead, he had given me a slow nod before saying, “I think that would benefit you a lot, Novak.”

That was the last fucking thing I needed to hear. It was one thing for Bennett to think I needed it regarding Vivian. It was quite another for Coach.

Sucking in a ragged breath, I thought back to when I was eight. I’d just started a new school and hated it. I was so miserable that I couldn’t eat. That morning before school, I’d passed out from lack of nutrition. Although my mother wasletting me stay home, I didn’t want to be by myself. I wanted her to stay with me.

“Vera will be here.”

For a kid having a nervous breakdown, the fact that our housekeeper would be there wasn’t comforting. “Please stay with me, Mommy. I want to talk to you about how I’m feeling.”

She huffed in frustration. “Theo, would you give me a break? I’ve got a huge project at work. I’m already running late because of your theatrics this morning.”

Trying to bargain, I begged, “Just for an hour?”

When she had frozen midway through packing her bag, hope surged in me. Placing both hands on my shoulders, she said,“I do not have the time or patience for your whining, Teodor. The sooner you learn to handle your emotions the better.”

That was how my mother treated a scared and overwhelmed kid. I mean, feral animals show more compassion to their young. Of course, my father’s way of dealing with feelings and emotions made my mother look compassionate.

After that day, I’d never bothered trying to talk to her again. I realized it was just me against the world. I’d kept that mantra until now.

Until Vivian and impending fatherhood.

And when I thought about it, Bennett and Grayson.

“Nervous?” Vivian asked.

I jerked my gaze to hers. One of the stipulations I gave her was that I wanted her to come to the appointment with me. Of course, I didn’t expect her to go into the doctor’s office with me. I mean, what would she think of me when she heard all my dark shit? I just wanted to lean on her strength.

---