Page 124 of Hot Puck
“I love you, Chase Hawkins.”
We grin stupidly at each other until someone—I think Oakley yells up the stairs.
“You two better not be having sex up there!”
“Oh lord.” Gem drops her forehead to my chest.
“Ignore her! She’s just jealous because pregnancy makes her horny and she didn’t get her morning quickie before Micky got us out of bed for breakfast!”
Gem taps her head on my breastbone twice before I slip a hand around her ponytail and pull her back. “I don’t think I’ll be able to look Coach in the eyes after hearing that.”
My comment produces the exact reaction I was after, a burst of laughter that I kiss right off her lips.
When I let us up for air, I stare at the woman in my arms and thank whatever forces were involved to bring her into my life.
“We should get down there and see why we’ve been invaded.”
She smiles. “We should. I need to let them know I’m resigning as GM four weeks before baby Hawkins is born.”
“Do you think they’ll be upset?”
“No. The team will be in good hands with Mason at the helm. I plan to bring him on as Assistant GM in the next few weeks. By the time the season starts, he’ll be well settled into the role so the change in leadership should be a smooth one.”
“Is resigning really what you want, or do you think you have to?” Before she can answer, I add, “Because I don’t care if you work after the baby is born. We managed with Candace, we can manage with this one.”
Nodding, she says, “We did, we can, but I want to spend more time with all the girls. More time with you. I’ll still work, just not in positions that take up a lot of my time.”
“Wait, you’re pulling back from Rogue sportswear too?”
“Yes. I’m handing over both my jobs and taking on the work Eli has been doing with Limitless. I want him free to retire fully. He’s incapable of semi-retiring and he should enjoy the hard work he’s put in to get where he is.”
“He called me yesterday. He’s planning to come down next week, wants to talk about offering Kent Quinn the CEO job.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. I want to play hockey for as long as I can and if either of the twins shows an interest in Limitless, they can take over or whatever. I kind of like the idea of retiring from playing and doing nothing except raising our kids.”
“Kids?”
“I want more than one.”
Gem laughs. “We have more than one.”
“Yeah, I guess we do.”
“So, one and done?”
It’s my turn to laugh. “Hell no. I’ll have as many as you’ll let me put in you.”
“Oh my god!” Blake yells from the bedroom doorway. “They are making more babies up here!”
Gem arches one eyebrow and asks, “Are you sure you want to tie yourself to this lot?”
“Are you staying with them?” When she nods, I say, “Then I’m definitely sure because I don’t want to be anywhere except by your side.”
“Then let’s go downstairs and tell everyone the wedding they’re expecting already happened.”
