Page 38 of One Pucking Secret
“You left.” My words come out harsher than I intend. “How was I supposed to know you wanted anything to do with me? I tried calling. Multiple times. I got through to your agent once, but you never called back.”
Wyatt leans back in his seat. He seems like he’s piecing everything together rather than conjuring up something to say, so I continue.
“The day I decided to keep Jasper was the day you got drafted. By then, it felt too late to tell you. I didn’t want you to think that I was trying to get child support out of you.” My gaze shifts to the window, the busy LA streets calm compared to the tumult inside of me. “Besides, I knew how hard you worked for that. I didn’t want to ruin everything you worked for by bringing a baby into your life.”
“That wasn’t your choice to make. And what about your life?”
I turn back to Wyatt. “Aside from you, I’m the hardest working person I know. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to accomplish my career goals and raise Jasper alone. My parents were supportive, despite their initial disappointment in me when I told them I didn’t know who the father was.”
Wyatt sighs, his hands running through his hair. The tension in the room shifts, but I can’t tell if he’s softening or if he’s just trying to process everything.
“There’s more,” I say softly, my throat tightening. “When we reconnected, I wanted to tell you, but… seeing you again, seeing how you were living, I didn’t think there was a place for Jasper in your life. You’re this big hockey star, and I didn’t want to mess things up for you, for him. It felt like opening that door would ruin everything—for all of us.”
Wyatt’s eyes darken, the weight of my words sinking in. His voice is low when he speaks. “You should have told me. The second you saw me again. I had a right to know.”
“I know. But I was terrified you’d reject him. I didn’t want Jasper to get hurt if you didn’t want anything to do with him. And…” My voice cracks slightly as I look back out the window, finding it easier to speak without seeing his eyes. “I was also trying to protect him. Your image, Wyatt—it was under fire. You were being dragged through the mud with scandals, whispers, public judgment. I didn’t want that darkness touching Jasper. He’s still innocent. I didn’t want the world to find out about him and tear his life apart.”
The pain in Wyatt’s expression deepens, his lips pressed into a thin line. His anger lingers, but I can see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between understanding and betrayal.
“Mark told me about… everything,” Wyatt says once I’m done, his voice a low rumble. “He was the one who took your call. I had just secured him as my agent when you and I…”
I flinch at the mention of Mark, guilt gnawing at me. “What do you want to do?” I ask, bracing myself for his verdict.
Wyatt runs a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping him. “I want to be part of Jasper’s life. That’s non-negotiable.” He pauses, searching my face. “But forgiveness? That’s not something I can offer right now.”
Disappointment stings, but it’s fair. “I understand.”
“Jasper… He doesn’t know anything yet, right?”
“No. He doesn’t.” I hesitate, then plunge forward with my request. “Can we keep it that way? Just for a little while longer, until you two have had some time to—”
“Get to know each other?” Wyatt finishes for me. There’s a bitterness there that wasn’t present a moment ago. “Yeah. We can do that.”
“Thank you.” Relief washes over me, leaving me lightheaded. “How about this weekend? The park? Followed by ice cream?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Wyatt gives a curt nod, but it’s the closest thing to an agreement I’ve gotten from him since he found out about Jasper.
“Great. Saturday?”
“Saturday.” Wyatt stands, towering over the table. For a fleeting second, I catch a glimpse of the man I once knew, someone who always made me feel wanted. But then he turns, and the moment’s gone, leaving me with the ghost of what could have been.
I wrap my hands around my coffee cup, the warmth seeping into my chilled fingers. This is a start, a fragile thread connecting our separate lives. And for Jasper’s sake, I’ll hold onto it with everything I’ve got.
The sun peeks throughthe rustling leaves, casting a playful dance of shadows on the path as Jasper tugs at my hand, his other clutching his favorite red truck.
“Are we gonna see your friend today, Mommy?” His voice is tinged with the excitement only a seven-year-old can muster.
“Yep, the same one you met the other day.” I squeeze his hand gently, feeling the weight of the secret I’m keeping. But for now, it’s just us and the promise of fun in the park.
“He was nice.” Jasper’s blue eyes, so much like Wyatt’s, search mine for reassurance.
I nod, pushing away my unease. “He liked you a lot, kiddo. He wants to spend more time with you.”
“Really?” A gap-toothed grin spreads across his face. “I liked him too.”
My heart clenches, warm and conflicted. Wyatt is a good man despite the gruff exterior he shows the world. It’s my fault Jasper hasn’t known him, hasn’t had his father’s strength and warmth these past years. “Mommy?”
“Sorry, buddy, just thinking.” I ruffle Jasper’s hair—black like Wyatt’s—and push those thoughts aside. Today isn’t about regrets. It’s about moving forward, one step at a time. “Let’s go have fun, okay?”
