Page 77 of Three Pucks and a Baby

This time I didn’t wait for Vivian. Once again, my arm stretched back to hit Theo just as Bennett’s fist slammed into Theo’s face. After executing a perfect right hook, he came back to slam his left fist into Theo’s nose.

Vivian screamed in horror before clapping her hand over her mouth. I stepped in front of her, blocking her from the violence with my body.

As Theo threw up his fists to deflect Bennett, he demanded, “What the fuck, Bennie?”

“Don’t youevertalk that way to her again!” Bennett snarled as his chest rose and fell in harsh pants.

“Please, stop,” Vivian pleaded.

“Only if he keeps his fucking mouth shut,” Bennett replied.

Swiping the blood from his lip, Theo shook his head. “Fine. You two can have her. I’m out.”

After storming over to the door, he threw it open so hard it banged back on its hinges, causing Vivian to jump.

Once he was gone, I whirled around to check on Vivian. Tears streaked down her cheeks. “Oh God, I’m…I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

Shaking my head, I replied, “You have nothing to be sorry about, love.”

Her gaze went to Bennett. “But he’s your teammate and your roommate.”

“He was out of fucking line,” Bennett argued. “Nothing you could’ve possibly said or done should’ve ever warranted that.”

“B’s right. Theo can go fuck himself,” I said.

Our response only caused Vivian to cry harder. I pulled her against me, wrapping my arms around her. As she continued to sob, I ran circles over her back. When I glanced up, Bennett was staring longingly at her.

At that moment, I wanted to tell him to fuck off. Vivian wasmine.OnlyIwould be comforting her. I might’ve shared her that night, but it was different now.

But then the cold hard truth smacked my possessive ass in the face.

As long as there was a possibility Vivian was carrying Theo or Bennett’s baby, she couldn’t truly be mine.

So, I did the gentlemanly thing. Jerking my chin at him, I nodded.

After closing the gap, he wrapped one of his arms around her. “Please don’t cry, Pretty Woman.”

In hiccuping gasps, Vivian replied, “I-I n-never meant f-for any of this to h-happen.”

Bennett swept a strand of auburn hair out of Vivian’s face. “Of course you didn’t. You couldn’t hurt a fly.”

“Since you came to tell us, I assume that means you’re planning on keeping it, right?” I asked.

At Vivian’s wary look, I held up my hands. “I’m just asking. Like I said before, we’re in this together.”

“Yes, I’m having the baby.”

I felt conflicted by the news. There was a part of me that wanted all the fear and uncertainty to disappear, not only for me but for Theo and Bennett. The only definitive way for that to happen would be if Vivian wasn’t having the baby. At the same time, I realized from her expression that Vivian wanted to be a mom. Even if it wasn’t my baby, I wanted her to have that.

With that last thought in mind, I said, “You’ll be an amazing mom.”

“You sure will,” Bennett echoed.

Our compliments sent Vivian’s bottom lip trembling. “Really?”

I grinned at her. “Hell yeah, you’ll be amazing. Not to mention your kid is going to rock the best knitted outfits.”

She hiccuped a laugh. “I’m sure Fleur, Muse, and Gibb will enjoy the reprieve from all the hats and sweaters.”

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