Page 65 of Player Misconduct
Her lips twitch like she’s fighting a smile, but she shakes her head instead. “Go. You need to get to orientation before you get fined or benched. We have enough on our plate to worry about making more waves. We’ll talk later.”
I bend to grab my duffel off the floor where I dropped it and swing it over my shoulder. Then I walk back toward the door,still watching her over my shoulder. I don’t want to leave. I want to find a place to take her, somewhere quiet where we can make plans but I know she’s right. I have to go or I’ll get fined for not showing up.
As I step back out of the baby shop boutique, one thought hits me:
I’ve faced playoff pressure, broken bones, open heart surgery and brutal hits, but none of it has ever felt as terrifying—or as right—as this does.
Chapter Twelve
Aleksi
The usual smells of the Hawkeyes stadium hit me the moment I walk in. Ice cleaner from the zamboni, stale popcorn, fresh brewed coffee, and an undercurrent of sweat and determination.
I just left Kendall at the baby store a few minutes ago after finding out she’s pregnant and that the baby she’s carrying is mine. I feel like I floated on a cloud the whole way here.
I walk into the locker room. It’s loud with the chatter of teammates getting back into the rhythm. Someone’s blasting music from a Bluetooth speaker, Slade’s arguing about fantasy stats, and half the guys are already suiting up for practice.
It feels good to be back. Spirits are up which means that most everyone has had enough time to shake off our playoff loss. It’s a new season full of new possibilities. We’ll get ‘em this year.
I drop my duffel beside my stall and nod a few greetings, but all I can think about is Kendall, the baby, the sound of its heartbeat that’s still looping somewhere in the back of my skull like background music I can’t turn off. I wouldn’t turn it off, even if I could.
Slade claps me on the shoulder. “Back from Finland and already spaced out? Must’ve been one hell of a vacation.”
“Something like that,” I say, forcing a smile.
Trey’s across the room lacing his skates for the morning ice meeting. When he glances up, his brow furrows. “Hey, you okay? You look distracted.”
I hesitate, debating how much to say, but it comes out anyway. “I ran into Kendall on my way here. She was with Vivi and Peyton.”
That gets his attention. His head jerks up fast, and I see the exact moment Vivi’s voice replays in his head.
“Oh, shit,” he says, dropping his laces. “Are you okay? How’d you take the news?”
I blink. “Wait… what news?”
The look on his face answers that before he can. He grimaces. “Damn. Vivi swore she wouldn’t say anything. I just assumed—”
“You assumed I knew.”
“Yeah. Because you and Kendall seemed like you’ve been getting… Closer. I figured she told you while you were in Finland.”
A sharp laugh escapes me. “She hadn’t told me yet. She thought I was dating someone else and didn’t want to ruin it for me, but I think my reaction was better than I think she expected,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck. “Who all knows?”
Trey shifts, eyes darting around the room. I follow his gaze. Hunter’s standing by the whiteboard, flipping through drills with one of the assistant coaches. The second our eyes meet, he gives me that “I know something”look before heading over.
“Fuck,” I groan, dragging my hands through my hair. “You too?”
Hunter lifts a brow. “Peyton told me. But I’m on strict orders not to say a damn word, or I get my adventure sex privileges revoked for a year.”
Trey makes a face. “Adventure sex?”
“Sex anywhere besides our house,” Hunter says, like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “Peyton likes to switch it up. I’m always down.”
Trey snorts. “Man, you two need a hobby.”
Hunter grins. “We have one. It just sometimes happens in an elevator.”
Scottie overhears that last part and yells from across the room, “Elevator? That explains why you were late to the charity gala, bro.”
