Page 29 of Power Play
Lauren wraps me in her arms and pulls me to standing. "Babies are blessings, no matter how they were conceived or who their parents are," she whispers against my temple, and I can't help but cry more. She's right. I've got this.
"Why is it always bathrooms?" I ask, still crying.
"What?"
"Why is it women always love and cry for each other in bathrooms? It's weird."
Lauren laughs.
I have to tell three men they may be the potential father, and deal with whatever reaction they have. I take a deep breath in and out. Lauren releases me and studies my face to see if I'm ready.
Lauren picks up on my nerves. "Do you know who the father is?"
I give her a look.
"Okay, so we play it by ear." She grabs my shoulders again and turns me towards her. "But that baby is a Titan. And the Titans mean family. So, whether that baby has a father or not, they have dozens of uncles and aunts who will be more than happy to be your village. You're not alone. Christ, with the Titans, you'll never be alone."
I smile. It's sweet of her. And I believe her. The WAGs are a tight-knit community, and if you're in, you're in. I have no doubt that with their help, I can raise this baby on my own. My heart swells. I'm sofucking grateful for this rag-tag group of found family. I'm not a WAG. I'm a physical therapist for the team. But Lauren is both a physical therapist and a WAG. And she's more than willing to accept me into their ranks, love and support me. I'll have to reflect later on how much that affects me.
I roll my shoulders back and go to the sink. I rinse my face off and dry my tears. This baby is unexpected, but not unwanted and not unloved. I can do this.
Lauren stands by my side the entire time, and I pull on her strength.
I nod. Signaling I'm ready to tackle whatever may come.
But when we open the door, and Ben, Jonesy, and Scott are standing in the hallway, looking at me, I almost lose my composure.
I stand in the doorway of the bathroom, they stand in the hallway, Lauren stands next to me, holding my hand.
I look at all three men. All three of them are guarded, cut off, wearing steely facades. Except Ben, underneath his reversed persona is hope. Fuck, I'm a terrible person.
I'm shaking like a leaf, but I nod to Lauren. I can handle this. It's going to be a fucking shit show. And I might end up alone, but she's born enough of my baggage. I want the damage to her to be minimal. She kisses the back of my hand and promises she's just a call away. I believe her.
I square up my shoulders as much as I can while shaking.
My chest tightens as I step into the hallway, facing all three of them. The weight of their gazes pins me in place, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. "I’m pregnant," I finally say, the words heavy and irreversible. "And it could be…" My voice cracks, and I have to take adeep breath to continue. I am barely holding it together. "It could be any of yours.”
I try to say it with strength, but my eyes cut to Scott, and I can't help the shaking my body does.
"I never meant... it might not be yours... I don't need anything... I can do this by myself..."
My eyes dart all around. I especially don't want Scott to think he's been trapped again. I have no idea what Jonesy's reaction will be. I know Ben wants kids, but he's also early in his career. He needs to be focusing on his performance on the ice.
"I didn't use a condom with Scott or Ben, but I did with you, Garrett. So it's probably not yours."
He winces.
"It ripped."
"What?!"
"When I took it off to throw it away, I saw the tip of it had ripped."
"And you didn't tell me?!"
"I figured the chances of you getting pregnant were small, and we weren't exactly on friendly terms."
I want to be angry with him, but it takes two to tango, and that ripped tip could have happened to anyone.
