Page 61 of Player Misconduct
And then I see it.
The curve. The swell of her belly beneath her shirt.
The air leaves my lungs.
Fuck, she’s pregnant. Does this mean I lost her for good? Was Tarron’s interview right? Are they really working on their relationship?
Before I can think, I’m crossing the street. I don’t even look for traffic as my duffel bounces against my leg.
The door hits the bell overhead with a clang when I shove it open.
“Kendall—”
Her head jerks up, eyes wide. It takes a second for her to register it’s me, but when she does, there’s a flicker of something—panic, maybe—before she smooths it away.
“Hey, Aleksi,” Peyton says quickly, her tone a little too bright.
“Did you just get back?” Vivi adds, but something in her eyes says she already knew I was in town.
Vivi’s grabbing onto the conversation like a lifeline when she’s usually cool and calm.
“Yeah,” I manage, still catching my breath. “My flight landed yesterday.”
Peyton nods, smiling too hard. “No time for jet lag, huh?”
Vivi shoots Kendall a look, then says, “Well, it was great to see you. Peyton and I were just going to…” she glances wildly around the store.
“Go over here,” Peyton finishes, dragging Vivi toward a shelf of picture books with the subtlety of a bulldozer.
And just like that, it’s only us.
“Hi,” Kendall says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re back.”
“Yeah,” I say, nodding. “You look… good.” My eyes drop instinctively to her stomach.
And before I can stop myself, the words are out:
“You’re pregnant.”
Her lips part, her hand automatically finding her belly. “Um… yeah, I am.”
The smile I manage isn’t forced—it’s just… heavy. Weighted with everything I’m trying not to say.
“Congratulations,” I tell her softly. “I know this is something you really wanted.”
She nods once. “It is.”
“Tarron’s a lucky guy.”
That’s when her eyebrows knit together, confusion flashing across her face
“Tarron?”
“You’re back together,” I say carefully. “I saw his interview, and the photo of you two at the restaurant.”
Her expression hardens. “We’re not back together. And he’s not the father.”
The air changes. “He’s not?” I ask, my pulse picking up.
