Page 36 of Chasing The Goal
He didn’t say anything. Just waited.
I loved that about him.
“I have endometriosis,” I said finally. “I was diagnosed in college, but growing up that whole portion of womanhood was brutal for me. The cramps were rentlessly and the pain almost unbearable. It messes everything up. Periods, digestion, pain... fertility.”
Jaymie nodded, but didn’t interrupt.
“I was on the pill,” I added. “Not even for birth control, really. Just to manage the pain. But sometimes I forgot to take it. Especially on days where I was swamped or traveling. And the risk always felt... low. Like I wasn’t one of those people who needed to worry about getting pregnant.”
He was still quiet. Still watching me.
“And yet,” I said, gesturing to myself, “here we are.”
There was a beat of silence. Then he said, “You’re right. It is a miracle.”
I blinked, surprised by the softness in his tone.
“It’s also terrifying,” I admitted. “I mean, Jackson is….well…gone. And I’m just... me.
Alone.
Pregnant.
Living in a new city with a demanding job and no clue how the hell I’m going to make this work.”
“You’re not alone,” Jaymie said, voice low and certain.
I looked at him.
He reached across the table, covered my hand with his. His palm was warm and steady. “You’ve got people. Me included. Just two floors away, remember?”
My throat tightened.
I didn’t cry. But it was close.
We sat like that for a while, hands linked across a table scattered with croissant flakes and coffee rings.
And for the first time since that little plus sign appeared, I didn’t feel quite so scared.
Jaymie eventually leaned back, his coffee in hand, looking far too relaxed for someone who’d just stepped into a life-changing confession. He didn’t fidget or shrink away. Just took a long sip and said, “You know, I’ve never met anyone like you.”
My brow furrowed. “Is that a compliment or...?”
“Definitely a compliment,” he said quickly. “I mean, you’re carrying all this stuff, alone, and still showing up to work, still managing a bunch of grumpy hockey players—myself included. And you’re doing it with strength and sarcasm. That’s impressive as hell.”
His sincerity made my chest ache.
“You don’t have to butter me up,” I said softly.
“I’m not,” he said, then added with a grin, “Okay, maybe a little. But seriously, Mal. You’re kind of a badass.”
I bit back a smile and took another bite of my pastry, grateful for the way his words eased some of the pressure inside me.
“What about you?” I asked, changing the subject. “Ever had a surprise baby scare?”
Jaymie laughed, low and warm. “No surprise babies. Just a couple of bad breakups and one girl who wanted to name our future dog ‘Sir Puggleton.’”
I choked on my coffee. “You’re kidding.”
