Page 59 of Her Hat Trick Daddies
Andy raises a brow. “Well, damn. You don’t mess around, do you? But let’s not forget, I’m the one who stopped her from walking out that door.”
“So… you’re in?” I ask?
“Well, first things first. We don’treallyknow her, so we need a paternity test. There’s no way around that.”
“I get it. And I’m not stupid. But unless I’m blind, and Luna’s not Shane’s, I’m telling you now, I’d still step up. She’d be mine, too.” I turn to Shane. “You’re like a brother to me, man. We got into this together. And straight up? I like Leighton. A lot. Can’t stop thinking about her. And yeah, I want to keep seeing where this goes. With her, and her kid.”
Andy lets out a breath, then says, “Well, shit… I’ll be forty next year, and honestly? I haven’t thought much about what’s next after hockey. I kind of gave up on the idea of kids since I haven’t found thatone. But Leighton? She’s different. Special. And this just might be the next chapter.”
“We’re not getting any younger, that’s for damn sure,” I add with a chuckle.
Shane slams his glass down. “I fucked up. I just… Ihatesurprises. You know that. Callie fucked me up that way. Guess I haven’t really gotten past that shit she pulled.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?” Andy asks, gripping Shane’s shoulder.
Shane scrubs a hand over his face, eyes dark. “First? Apologize. But I know it’s gonna take more than a damn ‘sorry’ to getback in Leighton’s good graces. Once the test confirms what we already know, the next step would be meeting… my daughter.Damn. I just said that out loud.”
“Yes. Yes, you did,” Andy echoes.
“Yeah,” I add, “but make sure this isreallywhat you want. And that you’re ready. Don’t just do it because we’re pushing or because you don’t want to look like the asshole who sat back while we stepped up. If your heart’s not in it, you’ll only end up screwing them both over.”
“I know. I won’t let them down,” he mutters.
We all sit there in silence. I’ll give him a few days to come around on his own. But if he can’t… this is going to be one long and bumpy ride.
Chapter 17
Shane
My daughter.
Is this really happening? I mean, I want it to be real. I can’t wait to meet her, to know her, but I can’t let myself get too far ahead yet. Not until there’s proof. Not until I know for sure.
I’ve been burned badly before. Callie, that evil witch. She lied to my face about being pregnant, just to keep me from walking away. Who even does that? How screwed up do you have to be to play with someone’s life like that?
But Leighton isn’t Callie. I see that now. It took me a damn minute. Too long if I’m being honest, but it’s clear as day. Or as clearly as I can see through the haze of alcohol in my system. God, and thinking back to how I acted earlier? I’m such a fucking prick for going off on her like that. She didn’t deserve it.
After the three of us decide we’re standing by Leighton no matter what, David and Andy disappear. David’s probablycrashing out for the night, and Andy’s most likely sacked out in one of the guest rooms.
I should do the same. I should shut my brain off and get some damn sleep. But I can’t. My mind is on overdrive, spinning out with everything that’s happening and what’s coming next. How the hell do I even start to prepare for this?
I need to stop thinking. Just stop for a few hours. So, I drag myself back to the bar and top off my whiskey. Then I top it off again. After that? It’s all kind of a blur.
Next thing I know, I’m waking up on the couch in David’s study.
It’s the middle of the night, pitch dark except for some faint glows here and there. My head’s pounding like a damn bass drum.
Boom… Boom… Boom…
I clutch my skull, like that’ll help. It doesn’t.
What also doesn’t help? The look on Leighton’s face, now burned into my soul, from when I was being a pompous jerk to her. I’ve been told by every team psychologist I’ve ever sat down with that I’ve got anger issues. Hell, I know it. I blow my top too fast, too often. But this time? With Leighton?
Yeah… I’d like to kick my own ass.
David looked about ready to do it for me. Honestly, I’d let him. I deserve it.
Leighton has been out here doing the hard shit, raising a kid by herself. Then she chooses to tell us when technically, shedidn’t even have to. That had to be brutal. Especially with my mouthy ass. But she did it anyway.
