Page 28 of Break

In bed. Naked.

I almost threw up when I heard that. Nolan and I never met the woman, but she did a doozy on poor Landon. I think he’s going to just have his fun with puck bunnies for a long while. Hell, I would, too, if I could.

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The game was intense. The girls and I didn’t get home until after eleven, and only one of the guys on our team needed stitches. A handful of others just needed a quick check over before sending them back out.

Dr. Patterson is heading out with the team on Sunday, so Annika is taking over his patients at the clinic and I get the week off, still paid. Works for me.

He’s also already hired two other MD’s to take over the clinic so he can focus on the team anyway, so Annika is just in limbo until the second location opens up.

I’ve already told both of them in emails that I’m staying at the rink until March or April, or whenever I go into labor. I actually sort of love it. Since I don’t have to go on the ice or deal with James, plus the extra money? How could I pass this up?

They have plenty of time to hire someone to take over my duties once I go on maternity leave.

It’s Dr. Patterson’s day at the rink, and I make sure to tell him to check on Nolan again before practice, and I sleep in until noon.

I stumble to the kitchen and find a note from the girls that they ate my hard-boiled eggs and chopped fruit for lunch, but they’ll make more after school.

I snort as I cook up some bacon and eggs, taking my meal to the living room as I turn on the news and curl up onto the couch.

I have nothing going on today, so I just relax, snack, and sit out on the back porch until the girls get home. Which turns into them asking to stay over at a friend’s house and me calling the mom to make sure she’s there and was told that there isn’t going to be a party or any boys over.

Alyssa snickers at me after I get off the phone and I send her a look. “What? I’m about to have two babies, I don’t need any more in my house any time soon.”

Caroline rolls her eyes and hikes her bag up on her shoulder, “We know, we know. We’ll call you if anything’s up. We won’t drink and drive, or drink at all… We’ll text you every damn hour.”

I nod at her and wave them off, settling in for a calm, lonely night. I put on a movie and sigh as I get up to take a shower and just head to bed.

It’s only eight at night and I’m already exhausted from doing nothing all day.

My phone starts to ring right when I’m about to hop in the shower and I frown when I see Nolan’s name.

“Hey, you okay? How’s your head?”

He chuckles. “I’m fine, I’m actually out front. Is it okay if I hang out for a bit?”

“Sure,” I yawn and head to the front door and let him in, ending our phone call. “I just started the shower. Make yourself at home.”

He hums at me, checking me out and sending me a suggestive look. He then laughs his ass off when he sees the look on my face and jumps on the couch and turns on the TV. I take a quick shower and get into a new set of pajamas before I head back out to the living room.

“I’m boring tonight. The girls are out at a sleepover and I was planning on heading to bed… so if I fall asleep on you, don’t complain about my drool. Or snoring.”

He pulls me closer to him and stares at the TV screen. “You don’t snore, M. I know from experience. But you’re fine, rest. I just didn’t feel like going out with the guys.”

I lean my head against his warm, hard chest and try to follow the storyline of the show in between slow blinks. He rests his hand on my stomach and I freeze… Then he tenses. I might look bloated, but it’s already starting to feel a little hard…

He clears his throat and looks down at me, his dark eyes wide. “So…”

I nod and press my lips together. Shit. “Yeah…”

He laughs and pulls me into a hug and kisses my forehead. “Holy shit… I have so many questions. You not skating on the ice, and everything with James… You are gaining a little weight and acting off. Not to be rude, you look so fantastic and… damn. I assumed it was all stress and not wanting to be close to James on the ice, maybe too much pizza or something, not that I’m calling you fat or anything. Holy shit. How far along are you… And oh fuck is it mine?”

I laugh and pat his chest. “Nolan, we haven’t slept together in a year… maybe longer.”

He pouts and stares down at my stomach. “I would have loved for it to be mine.”

I snort and shove him, “No you wouldn’t have. You love your bachelor life. But yeah… I’m twelve weeks along now. I’ll grab the ultrasound photos.”

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