Page 92 of Triple Power Play 3
He faces me, still wearing that stiff grin. “Really? So it wouldn’t feel wrong if it was Aurora sitting outside your office watching your behavior and listening to Patty giggle?”
It would. Itdid. I just didn’t know how to respond.
I say nothing, and he continues. “It’s you hurting her, not me. What you blamed me for is exactly how she’d react if she saw you. I might be crazy, but at least no one questions my loyalty.”
My chest aches, buthe’s not done driving the knife through my heart.
“What are you going to do? On game days, when your son is here, are you going to ignore him? Pretend he’s not there? He’ll know you’re his dad. He’ll be watching you and wanting your attention. How does that not excite you? How are you not dreaming of the day you get to show him off?”
The walk to the car is quiet, only the sound of our footsteps in the empty parking garage. Jax is still pissed at me. He didn’t speak to me the entire night, communicating in grunts and nods.
Reece and Aurora left an hour ago. Jax had a hell of a game, coming close to another hat trick. He ended with two goals and three assists, busting his ass until the very end to secure an overtime win.
The arena was packed and loud with excitement. Robert, the owner, was in attendance and also fired up.
“We have a real chance at the playoffs this year,” he said, sitting in my office while Jax took an ice bath in the training room. “Well done.”
It didn’t feel deserving, and I only mumbled, “Thanks.”
“Are you still babysitting him?”
“He doesn’t need a babysitter. If you’re asking if we’re staying together, yes.”
He crossed and uncrossed his legs. “Good. It’s obviously working. Keeps him out of trouble.”
“His father is dead, and he’s married to the woman he loves. That keeps him fromrelapsing.”
Robert failed to notice my correction. “And she’s pregnant, I hear. That’s perfect.”
A spark ignited within me. That was my chance to disclose our relationship and the baby.
I tapped my pen against the desk. “Robert, there’s a reason Jax and I are so close.”
“I know.” He dismissed me with a wave of his hand. “You don’t have to tell me. Actually, I’d prefer you didn’t. Not that I’m biased. My grandson is gay, but I’d rather have plausible deniability. Get me?”
Heat radiated from my face, and I knew my skin was bright red. “We’re not…” I trailed off. Maybe if I let him believe it, he’d spread the word, and it’d stop Patty from interfering. “It’s more complicated than that. His wife is carrying my child. The three of us are together.”
His brows nearly hit his hairline, and he blinked several times. “That does complicate things. I’ll have to discuss this with legal and PR.” He stood and smoothed the front of his dress pants. “You could publicly be the child’s godfather or uncle.”
I shook my head adamantly. “I won’t hide this.”
He released a heavy sigh and headed for the door. “We’ll work it out. This is the best I’ve seen the team in over a decade. Give me a few days.”
The beep of the car unlocking echoes against the cement walls. Jax and I open our doors simultaneously and settle into our seats. He gazes out the passenger window, and I stare at his profile.
I set the key fob in the cup holder but don’t start the ignition. “I fucked up. I’m sorry.” I grip the bottom of the steering wheel, the leather squeaking as I rotate my fists. “I didn’t know how to respond to Patty. If it was one of you, I would’ve pushed you aside and told you to get your ass off my desk. I actually hoped you’d come in and do it for me. I figured any minute, you’d barge in and interrupt.”
“I should have.” He continues to face away from me. “But then, I’d be called crazy for doing so.”
“I like you crazy,” I blurt.
He side-eyes me, his lips pursed in disbelief.
“It’s true. You feel things deeper than I do. You’re always one step ahead. I’m emotionally broken.”
He scowls, and his mouth twists into a frown. “No, you’re not.”
“I am. I learned to shut off my feelings a long time ago. You and Aurora are the exception. But you’re right. I won’t be able to ignore my son, and I don’t want to. I’d be miserable.”
