Page 34 of Power Play
"I'm scared," I whisper.
Coach slaps a hand on my shoulder. "You've never had to grow up and learn how to become a man. But you're not in this alone. Ski and I will be there to help you. We can teach you how to be the partner and father they deserve. Being a man means stepping up. Doing the scary thing anyway because it's the right thing to do."
I stare back down at the floor. Could I do that? Would they actually help? And not just assume I'm going to fuck it all up?
"She has an OB-GYN appointment tomorrow at three. At Women's Health of NC. If you're there, we know you're in it with us. If you're not there, I will be requesting we trade you. That woman in there doesn't deserve to be reminded of the man who could fuck her but couldn't be there for her."
And with that ultimatum, Coach and Ski left me alone with my thoughts.
Chapter eighteen
Lacey
I'm a shaking ball of nerves as I walk from Ben's truck to my appointment. He insisted on driving, and honestly, I'm grateful. I'm too jumpy, too nervous, too anxious. Scott's standing next to the door, waiting for us.
I look around for Jonesy, a stupid sort of hope in my heart. But I don't see him. My heart sinks, but I roll my shoulders back. I meant every word I said to Scott yesterday. I won't be with someone who had to be bullied into it. If he had, I'd never know if he was truly there for me, or from guilt. My hand rests over my belly. This child will only ever be loved.
"Over there," Ben says, nodding his head towards a hot red sports car. In the driver's seat, a stone-still Jonesy sits, gripping the steering wheel with both hands and staring straight at the wall. I pause. He's still deciding. If he'd chosen us, he'd be standing next to Scott.
I hold my head up with pride and walk to the front door.
"That's my girl," Ben whispers behind me. Scott steps forward, resting his hand on my hip. He dips down and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I'm shocked at the overt display of affection, but he did it to comfort me, and reassure me, and it helps. I may not have Jonesy, but I do have two men who are ready to figure this whole situation out with me. And I'm grateful I'm not completely alone.
My knee bounces as we sit, waiting for my name to be called. Ben rests his hand on my knee, the warmth of his touch grounding me.
"Bennett?"
I jump to my feet while Scott and Ben move at a more normal rate. I wipe my sweaty hands on my pants before I follow the nurse back into the exam room.
"We'll have you remove your pants and underwear and lay this cloth over you, and the doctor will be right with you."
I force a smile and nod before she shuts the door behind her. I look at the two large hockey men standing in the small room with me, suddenly feeling very nervous.
"Can... can you two turn around?"
The lines crinkle at the sides of Scott's eyes. He steps into my space, and I swallow. "Sweetheart, we've both seen you naked. We've both been inside of you. I think it's too late now for modesty."
I swallow again. "Please, I need a moment," I whisper, my voice trembling. I just can’t handle being this vulnerable, even with them, not right now.
I get undressed and sit on the exam table, paper cloth covering my lower half.
A knock on the door has me hopeful Jonesy finally came in. But a beautiful, tall black woman with an easy smile steps in.
"Alright, Lacey. I'm Dr. Marley. So, I hear you think you might be pregnant?"
I nod nervously, and explain that I'm two weeks late.
She goes into a lot of easy, small talk to try to comfort me as a patient, before she has me lie back and put my feet in the stirrups for the exam.
"Since you may be pretty early on in the pregnancy, we're going to go ahead and do a transvaginal ultrasound." I nod nervously as I watch her wheel the machine and wand closer to the table. Ben reaches formy hand at the same time Scott moves behind the bed and starts to massage my tense shoulders. That's when I realize my shoulders are almost at my ears.
Just as she's inserting the wand into my vagina, the door bursts open. Jonesy stumbles in, clearly distressed. A nurse shouts from somewhere behind him. "Did I miss anything?"
Ever cool, Dr. Marley asks, "A friend of yours?"
I nod and blink as I feel a hot tear slide out from my pinched eyelids. My lower lip trembles and I bite it. I reach a hand out for Garrett, grateful he's here.
He steps forward and takes it without question, coming to stand beside me. Garrett’s hand is clammy in mine, his grip too tight, but I don’t care. He’s here, and that’s enough.
