Page 34 of Pucking Fate

“I didn’t think you would let me put him in my Porsche or Ferrari. It’s also nice to have some room in the trunk to carry shit if I need to.”

“Right. Well, thank you for doing that, because you’re not wrong. I wouldn’t let him ride with you in a sports car.”

“See? I’m learning,” I tell her with a proud grin. “Slowly but surely, I’ll eventually get the hang of this parenting thing.”

“You’re doing great for such a short amount of time,” she admits. The rare compliment from Maya’s lips nearly sending me to my knees.

“You really think so?” I ask her softly.

“I do. And you really knocked it out of the park with the hockey party. Every mom I’ve talked to has told me that their kids can’t wait and haven’t stopped talking about it.”

“Good, I’m glad Finley will get to have the party of the year for the preschoolers.”

“Soon to be kindergarteners. Which is hard to believe.”

After a few moments of silence, Maya, her eyes on where Elle and Finley are ganging up on Preston as goalie, whispers, “You can’t stay over at night while they’re visiting.”

Well, fuck. Just when I think things are going great between us, Maya calls a timeout. “Why not?” I ask, wanting an explanation. “You expect me to believe that you haven’t told Elle about what we do as soon as Finley’s asleep every night?”

Maya’s lips part, her cheeks turning rosy red. “How did you know I told her?”

Shrugging, I slip my hands into my jeans. “I figure girls talk about that shit.”

“Haveyoutold anyone?” she asks softly.

I debate whether or not to lie, but figure honesty is always the best policy with Maya. “Just Luke.”

“Luke?”

“My best friend and teammate.”

“Oh. Okay,” she says then goes quiet, as if thinking that over. “Does he know…everything?”

“About you and me? Not the intimate details. About Finley? Yes, he knows everything.” When she opens her mouth, I know a protest is coming, so I tell her, “Luke won’t tell a soul. I think he hates the media more than Preston because they always try to bring up his shitty past...”

“God, I hope he doesn’t tell anyone,” Maya says softly.

“He won’t. He would never run his mouth about my business to anyone,” I reassure her. Then, I can’t help adding, “But it would be nice if I didn’t have to hide it from everyone…”

“Youwantpeople to know you’re a father?” she asks, turning to face me.

“Absolutely. Why wouldn’t I?” I ask her honestly.

“I don’t know, Christian. We’re not together or married. The media will twist it all and make it sound like it’s all just a ploy for me to get your money. I don’t want Finley to get dragged into any headlines. That wouldn’t be fair to him. He didn’t ask to have a hot shot hockey pro for a father.”

“Baby, I know I haven’t known him very long, but I’m pretty sure our son loves the spotlight. He’s a natural at hockey, too. So, I think you should probably prepare yourself for a future where he’s making headlines.”

“You think so?” she asks, biting her bottom lip.

“Yeah, I do. I started playing when I was years older than him, and he’s a natural. Besides, he’s got MVP athletic talent on both sides of his family.”

“He has always said he wants to be just like Uncle Preston when he grows up,” she remarks with a smile.

“I meant you, Mrs. MVP soccer player.”

She waves a dismissive hand through the air with a shy smile. “That was nothing.”

“It wasn’t nothing. You have serious athletic talent, too. They don’t hand out MVP awards to everyone in high school. Finley is going to take after both of us. He’s a lucky kid.”

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