Page 108 of What if It's Us

“Then we find out and we take care of it,” Layken assures me.

Scarlett grabs my hand. “And you are not alone, Mar. We’ve got you, okay? We’ve got both of you.”

The EMTs carefully begin assessing me, taking my vitals and asking calm, practiced questions. One of them radios ahead for ambulance clearance while Corrigan stands protectively close, hand clutching mine, refusing to let go.

Please let the baby be okay. Please…

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

LEDGER

The third period is flying by, and the score is tight. At 2-2, every play is electric and every second counts.

Sweat drips from my jaw and adrenaline pounds in my chest as I line up at the faceoff circle. I glance quickly toward the glass out of habit. That’s where Marlee has been sitting this season, with the other WAGS. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy that I have someone special to me sitting in the family section now.

Me.

Ledger Dayne.

I have a girl sitting in the family section cheering for me.

And not just any girl. Marlee. Remington.

She’s my future. My everything.

Even from here, I can spot her all bundled in my team hoodie, her cute belly unmistakable now beneath the worn fabric. She looks beautiful. Tired, but beautiful.

Tonight, I’ll give her that foot massage that Mom was telling her about.

Just before the puck drop, something shifts. Movement near the glass has my gaze falling there again. This time it’s Layken I notice right away. Seated beside Marlee, Layken is on her feet, waving.

Panicking?

I blink.

Was that…?

No. Can’t be…

But…

Marlee is hunched forward, her hands grasping her belly.

Marlee?

A medic appears first and then another shows up with a stretcher.

A stretcher?

Suddenly there’s commotion and people are rushing to get the stretcher through.

My heart plummets and my blood turns cold.

Oh fuck.

Marlee…

Coach yells from the bench, “Dayne! Heads up!”

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