Page 17 of Her Hat Trick Daddies
I close my eyes as if confessing to this blind will keep it from taking me on a downward spiral again. “The team’s first-string forwards. The center, left-wing, and right-wing.”
“Wait… Just wait. Are you telling me that David Decker is one of them?”
“Yes. And Shane Jacobson. I’m not sure of the other guy’s name yet. Which I should know by now, but… I have to look him up.”
“But, girl, this is huge.”
“I know.”
“What are you going to do?”
That’s the question, isn’t it? Back when I first found out I was pregnant and started trying to track those guys down, I actually felt a strange sense of relief when the trail went cold. It meant I wouldn’t have to depend on them. Wouldn’t have to uproot my life if they decided they wanted to be part of Luna’s. But it also meant I could avoid a conversation that completely terrified me. Selfish, I know.
Now, though, as a single mom, the thought of facing them doesn’t exactly terrify me. I’m not looking forward to it, but it’s not the same fear it once was. It’s more about the ripple effect it could have if the truth ever got out. The press. The scrutiny. The questions. Ava struggled with that too… and still does. We can’t be open about it. Worst case? If it becomes a circus, we pack up, move again, and start fresh somewhere else.
Even then, nothing could ever be worse than when the doctors said I needed an emergency C-section because my baby was breech. But that wasn’t the scariest part of it. They told me I blacked out after delivery—my body went into shock, and they had to revive me. I missed the first moments of my daughter’s life, and for a terrifying second, they weren’t sure I’d make it back.
I take a deep breath. “I’m going to meet with all of them at the same time. Then, I’m going to tell them what’s going on.”
“Just like that?” Ava sounds incredulous, and I don’t blame her.
“Just like that. What’s the worst they could do? Say they don’t want anything to do with her? If that’s the case, not much will change. Going to work will be more cringe, but that’s about it.”
I hope so, anyway. I don’t think they would bring any heat to the situation, like run to the owner with some cock-and-bull story just to get rid of me. Their reputations are on the line here, too. If any of them tried to pull something like that, I’m pretty sure I’d have grounds to sue the team. That kind of behavior from within a company I’m employed by has to be illegal.
“I can’t really see it happening any other way either, honestly,” Ava says, her voice steady. “Like you told me a long time ago, if they don’t want you, then that’s their loss. I’m here for you. Sven, Levi, Eric. We all are.”
“Speaking of. Can you imagine their reactions?” I ask, my voice lifting with a mix of nerves and disbelief.
“I’m sure it’ll be chaos at first,” she says, “but then, look at us.”
“Right. Well, with any luck, my guys won’t freak out. Shocked? Sure. Outraged? Hopefully not.”
She sighs. “These are grown men—what, at least ten years older than us? I’d hope they’d be mature enough to handle this like adults.”
But there are no guarantees. Men don’t typically hook up in a private room at a lavish ball if they’re looking to start a family. I’ll make it clear I’m not expecting anything. No child support, no pressure to be involved. I just wanted to tell them. It’s the right thing to do.
What they do with that information is up to them.
“Do you want me to be close by when you tell them?” Ava asks softly.
And for about the millionth time since we met, I silently thank whatever force in the universe brought her into my life. She’s been a blessing from the very beginning.
“No. I can handle it,” I say, even if my stomach is doing somersaults. “But you’re the best.”
I picture my baby girl. This probably won’t turn into anything, but there’s a small chance they might want to meet her. How would she react? She’s pretty fearless with new people, so maybe it wouldn’t rattle her.
“How’s Lu-Lu been behaving for you?”
“She’s a gem, as always. Not even close to a handful. Not like Trevor,” she laughs.
Trevor’s been a bit of a terror ever since his third birthday. But he’s protective of Luna, and I love that. A low rumble comes through the line, and I suspect it’s Sven. I shouldn’t be taking up all her time.
“Hey, Ava, if you need to go—” I start, but she cuts me off.
“I don’t. But do you mind if I tell Sven?”
“Nope. I kind of want to find out his reaction first anyway.”
