Page 6 of What if It's Us

“What do you do for fun during the summer?”

“Pucks & Blades is fun,” I tell her, referring back to the summer youth league Harrison Meers runs. “But other than that, I try to get to a few baseball games. I guess I’m pretty boring, really.”

Fuck.

Way to sell yourself, Ledge.

Marlee’s smile widens. “Oh, I doubt very much that you’re boring. So, you like baseball?”

“Yeah. A college buddy of mine plays for the Portland Lagers. You?”

“Oh, my gosh, I graduated from Portland U! Love the Lagers and love baseball! I was just chatting with Ada Miller earlier tonight, Zeke Miller’s wife?”

“Oh yeah.” I nod, relaxing a bit at the comfortable conversation. “Her brother, Carter, plays for the Indianapolis Racers.”

“Yeah? Now I totally have to catch a game the next time they’re in Anaheim.”

“I’ve got season tickets,” I mention. “I mean, I give them away a lot when I’ve got hockey responsibilities but I’d be happy to take you some time.”

Oh fuck. Did I just ask her out?

Did I even do it right?

She beams and I smile back at her because damn, it feels good being able to make her smile. “That sounds like a blast.”

“Hey Marlee,” Layken sings as she and Griffin sway next to us.

“Hi Layken.” Marlee eyes the happy couple. “You two are the cutest.”

“Thank you.” Layken winks at her, then glances at me and says, “You know, I was thinking about what we talked about earlier, Mar. You know the little plan you talked about?”

For the first time in a while, Marlee’s cheeks redden so I have an idea what Layken is referring to. “Oh. Yeah?”

“Yeah. And I’m just saying,” Layken nods her head toward me, “Ledger could make a great dad. He’s a good guy. Not bad to look at either.”

Oh, for the love of Christ.

“Layken…” I start. I laugh nervously, finding myself stuck between wanting to tell Layken to shut the fuck up and not wanting to make Marlee any more uncomfortable than she undoubtedly is.

“Oh,” Marlee giggles nervously. “Um…” Her brows furrow as she glances at me.

Yeah. See Layken?

She thinks it’s a terrible idea.

“You know about?—”

I squeeze my eyes closed for a split second and cringe when I confess, “Layken mentioned it earlier.”

“Oh.”

“She likes to tease me because I’m single,” I lie. Well, sort of.

Layken shrugs with a knowing smirk. “I mean, I’m just saying.” She bobs her head between us. “He’s single. You’re single. You want to have a baby so…two birds, one stone, know what I mean?” She wags her brows like she’s a fucking genius.

She’s not, by the way.

“It would be like the team’s very first pure-bred Anaheim Star!” She beams at Marlee and me like we’re about to give her a fucking high five and thank her for her generous offer.

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