Page 34 of Interference
I shake my head, moving ahead to push into the locker room.
“Let’s go get food,” Kellan says suddenly. “Yeah. A real guys’ night. We haven’t had one in a while.”
“What? Is Cora busy tonight?” I ask, joking.
“No, but still. Let’s go,” he urges.
I frown. I don’t want to go out with them. I want to grab food and check on Emery. Even with her texting me throughout the day, I worry about her. Especially since I missed seeing her this morning. Seeing that text from Coach had me wondering if I could use the baby card. I figured I needed to save it for bigger things, so I went, but I wanted to be with Emery.
“Unless you have better things to do,” Wyatt says, looking pointedly at me.
Fuck. He knows something is up with me. He has hinted as much over the past few weeks. I think he thinks it’s getting back on the ice, but I do not need them finding out about the pregnancy this way. We told her parents, so I can tell my family now, right?
“Nope. Let’s go to dinner. I got news anyway,” I tell them, turning to shut my locker.
“Cool, give us five to shower,” Kellan says.
I wait around for them to shower and get dressed then we walk over to McGraws. It used to be our go-to spot when Beckett was stalking Peyton. Peyton still works here, but Beckett has been drafted to Boston. It’s only a few hours away, but we don’t get to see him much anymore. Another reminder that things are changing.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite troublemakers. Water for the table?” Peyton asks as she walks up to the table.
“I would suck a dick for some of those potato skin things. Loaded the way you do. Pleaseeeee,” Kellan begs.
Peyton snorts. “Whose dick you gonna suck, because that does nothing for me? Or well…yeah, no, only in books.”
I laugh. “I want to borrow some of your books, Peyton. They sound thrilling.”
She smiles. “Anytime. Maybe it will help up your game. Do you want your usual meals, or are we going to pretend you don’t know what’s on the menu?”
“Usual,” Kellan answers for us.
“Thought so. Be right back with it.”
She leaves and we chat, waiting for her to bring the water back. Once she leaves again, I turn to the guys.
“Go on, man. Tell us why you won’t get back on the ice,” Wyatt prompts, seeing the seriousness on my face.
“Yeah, man. You can talk to us,” Kellan adds.
“I’m not sure I want to be on the ice anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love hockey, but I don’t want to be drafted. I was never in it for the fame or money. Next year, if I get drafted, I won’t end up in Boston. I’ll end up in Florida or some shit, and then I will only see you guys at the holidays when we all meet at Mama James’s house. I don’t want that,” I admit.
“Okay. What do you want then?” Wyatt asks.
“Emery is pregnant.”
Kellan whistles. “I was not expecting that. How do we feel about it?”
I smile. “Fucking ecstatic.”
Kellan laughs. “Of course you are. You’re going to be the best father. I can see it now. A little Brett in hockey pads while Brett Senior coaches the team. Dude, you were made for that shit.”
My chest puffs out at his words as I perk up. “You really think so?”
“Absolutely. You’ve been helping coach us since your injury, and you are doing amazing. You’ll kill the whole kid thing.” Kellan nods.
“I think so too,” Wyatt adds. “I’m really happy for you, man. I knew something was going on, but I didn’t consider this an option. We know how you feel, but how is Emery doing?”
I love that about Wyatt. He cares about all of us and the people we love. When he first noticed Emery was a thing for me, I saw the way he would pay attention to her when she was around. He showed her the same love and care that he does Cora, Peyton, and Grace.
