Page 26 of Break

Not that I don’t trust myself, I can keep up with the guys for quite a while, I just don’t want to take any chances.

Brenton and I haven’t been able to have dinner at his parents’ place yet, since they keep going on trips, celebrating their anniversary and retirement. Good for them. With the amount I’m paying for rent, I hope they’re having a good time.

I have another appointment with him coming up this week, and I was able to get a late appointment again for the girls to join. They came two weeks ago, and they were upset that he wouldn’t do another ultrasound until this week. Something was wrong with the machine, so we had to wait until this appointment to do the standard twelve-week testing.

We’re doing blood tests and ultrasounds to check for any abnormalities and to talk about seeing a maternal fetal medicine doctor since I’m having twins. I haven’t had any issues yet, so I don’t mind just seeing him. He’s been great so far.

Instead of going to the clinic every day, I’ve been at the rink for all of the home games and every other day during practices just in case someone needs stitches or exams for any hard hits or falls, even during practice and warm ups. These guys are idiots sometimes.

It’s been an easier workload, and I’m making almost double what I was at the clinic.

Maybe I can deal with being here for the rest of my pregnancy until I go on maternity leave. I can save up a ton of money and stay at home longer than a measly six weeks.

I’m sitting on the bench watching the guys practice before tonight’s game and I focus on my phone, reading through emails and setting an alarm an hour before my appointment time.

I hear a scuffle and James slams Nolan into the plexiglass and he goes down hard. I pop my whistle in my mouth and blow as hard as I can, three times before James finally backs off. I can’t go out on the ice so I call Dr. Patterson to meet me out here, since I don’t have my skates on. Good thing he’s in his office down the hall.

He meets me within moments, I wait at the opening as he skates over to Nolan and drags him over to me, setting him down on the bench so I can look him over. He’s able to sit upright and doesn’t seem confused. I wave Dr. Patterson off and block out the yelling coming from behind me between James and the coaches.

I pull out my pen light and take off Nolan’s helmet and do a full neuro check and tell him to not talk until I’m finished.

He has a bump on the side of his head but he seems fine.

“Okay, what the fuck is going on?” I whisper and kneel down in front of him.

He shrugs and looks away, his dark eyes pissed and glassy. “Don’t worry about it, M. Am I clear to get back out there?”

I blow out a long, slow breath and stand up placing my hand over the bruise. “Take it easy and ice it for fifteen before going out. Then I’ll check you again.” I rifle through my bag and snap the pack to get it cold and hand it over to him, along with a bottle of water. “Please?”

He nods and stares back out at the ice and I sit beside him as I chart notes in my tablet in his file.

“Has he been acting out like this?”

Nolan sends me a droll look and nods. “Ever since you guys moved out, he’s been a dick. Even worse after the girls moved in with you… he knows that Landon and I know where you live and that we’ve been to your house and hanging out with you. We won’t give him your address or any updates on your life, so he’s been taking it out on us on the ice.”

I sigh and lean back, shaking my head. They’ve only come over for dinner, what, twice? They watch some tv, hang out with me and the girls, then leave.

“I’ll try to talk to him soon.” I clear my throat and focus on not placing my hands over my stomach. I’ve already had to shop for maternity scrubs so that I’m more comfortable, my belly will definitely be more prominent soon.

“Please do,” Nolan murmurs and we’re silent as we watch practice resume, James is sitting out on the other side of the arena, face in his phone. Shocker.

I hear my phone vibrating on the bench and I glance at it, seeing James’s name. I cock a brow at it and frown.

James:Can we please talk?

I sigh as I reply… for the first time in what feels like years. Just kidding, it’s only been a few moments.

Me:When? I have somewhere to be at four.

James:Alex is in LA for the week, can you and the girls come by this weekend? No drama or fighting. Does that work? The team leaves on Sunday for Oregon.

Me: Okay.

I set my phone down and check Nolan’s head and do another neuro check. “You seem fine. Take it easy tonight, no alcohol after the game. Plenty of water and ibuprofen if you need it, I’ll check you out again before the game tonight.”

He nods and claps my back as he suits back up and heads back out on the ice. Hopefully the coaches put James in his place. Save that animosity for the real opponents tonight at the game.

I still don’t understand what even happened. Nolan’s a goalie and shouldn’t have been able to do anything to piss off princess James.

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