Chapter 14 Beatrice
BEATRICE
The second he steps into the room, all the air rushes from my lungs and my stomach turns over. My hands tremble and my body heats as our current situation collides with memories of the last time we were alone together.
His eyes are cold, his expression blank. He’s impossible to read.
He knows. Hailee assured me that she’d tell him before bringing him up here so he had a few minutes to get used to the idea before facing me.
I said that I could wait until after the game. Hell knows I’ve already waited long enough. I’m achingly aware that he’s about to play what could be the most important game of his entire career, and I could very well screw the entire thing up. But Hailee was insistent that he needed to know.
I was trembling with nerves when I first walked into this office, to the point that I almost reached for the trash can to throw up in before taking a seat.
But Hailee has been incredible. Sienna had explained who I was and how we were connected, which was what got me through the door.
I’m sure she’s said more, but Hailee has been tight-lipped about their conversation, and to be honest, I don’t really care.
Whatever it was worked; I’m here, and I’m getting the chance to do what I need to do.
All that’s left is to see how he’s going to react.
The air around us turns thick.
“Rett, this is—”
“What do you want?” Everett barks, cutting Hailee off before she has a chance to say my name.
To be fair, I’m impressed that he didn’t immediately just say he doesn’t recognize me. That’s positive, right?
“I-I don’t—” I cough, trying to clear the giant lump from my throat.
Hailee pushes a glass of water my way, and I reach out with a trembling hand. The water sloshes in the glass as I lift it to my lips, and I curse myself for not getting a better handle on my reaction to having Everett this close.
I take a sip and then place it back down.
“I don’t want anything other than for you to know.”
A bitter laugh of disbelief spills from his lips as he tugs on the back of his neck.
“And you expect me to believe that? I don’t even remember your name, and you’re sitting there wanting me to buy this bullshit?”
His words hit like a slap to the face.
Was I expecting him to remember me or our time together? Honestly, no. But deep down, I did cling to a little hope that I might have been even a little bit memorable. Clearly not.
Just another notch on his bedpost…or nightclub wall…
“Rett,” Hailee snaps as she glares daggers at him.
“No, it’s okay. He’s right,” I say, finding some strength from deep inside me. “Why should he know my name? I’m just one of a very long list of conquests. Unfortunately, I’m also the one who walked away with more than she bargained for.
“I understand your concerns, but I can assure you, Mr. Donnelly. I do not want your money, your fame, or anything else you think I’m trying to steal.” My fists curl at my sides as I step closer to him, channeling my inner Walsh.
I may not have followed in my family's footsteps, but I have learned plenty from them that will help in a situation like this.
“All I want to do is tell you what happened that night. It’s taken me weeks to come to terms with it. I was on birth control, and I watched you put a condom on. It shouldn’t have happened. But it has, and I’ve got my first ultrasound next week and—”
“And you expect me to just believe it’s mine? For all I know, you fucked a handful of guys that night.”
I react before my brain catches up with what he just said. My hand darts out, swinging toward his irritatingly good-looking face.
But being the incredibly talented defenseman that he is, he catches my wrist before I can make contact.
“Careful, sweetheart.”
My eyes shutter, hearing him call me that. It brings back far too many feelings from that night. And having his giant hand on me doesn’t help either.
“You’re the only man I’ve been with in…in a long time.”
He narrows his eyes before he barks a laugh.
“You haven’t been with anyone in…a long time,” he mocks. “But you let me fuck you against a wall in a club.”
“A moment of madness, obviously,” I seethe.
“Rett,” Hailee warns.
He drops my arm, but his hard stare doesn’t waver.
But it’s fine. I realize as I stare up into his cold, hard eyes that I really needed this reality check. It’s put all my fantasies and thoughts and what ifs into perspective.
Reaching behind me, I pull a piece of paper from my pocket. A piece of paper I’ve been carrying around since I first got my ultrasound date in the hope that one day, I’d be able to give it to the person I’d really like to attend with me.
“Here,” I say, slapping it to his bare chest. “This is the time and place of our anomaly scan. I wanted to give you the opportunity to be there, to be a father to our child. I will be doing this, with or without you. This is the one and only time I’m going to stand before you and give you the chance to be a part of our baby’s life. ”
I swear, I see a little crack in his resolve at that.
From my research, I know he had a stable upbringing with two loving parents who still support him. Maybe they’ve taught him what family really means. Maybe he’ll understand just how important this is.
“I’m going to want a DNA test.”
I race out of that office like the hounds of hell are snapping at my heels.
I don’t know why I’m so surprised by his reaction.
I was expecting it. I knew he wouldn’t believe me; I knew he’d question if it was his; I knew he wouldn’t accept it.
Hell, I couldn’t accept it for a long time.
It wouldn’t be fair to think that I could ambush him with this life-changing piece of information and he would just go along with it.
The second I see the sign for the restrooms, I crash through the door, a loud sob ripping through the air and turning every set of eyes on me.
I don’t look, though, I can’t. I just…I need to be alone.
Preferably not in a restroom with multiple other women who are about to hear me breakdown, but beggars can’t be choosers.
As the lock slides into place, my sobs hit hard and heavy until it’s all I can to do drag in the air I need.
A knock on the door startles me, and I jump back from the door, wiping my eyes with the back of my hands.
“Hey, um…are you okay?” a soft, hesitant voice asks.
“Stupid question much?” another points out. I can’t help but smile, because that’s exactly what Sienna would say.
“I…I know, I just…is there anything we can do to help?” the first offers. “Can we go and get someone for you?”
I shake my head despite the fact that they can’t see me.
“You can tell us to go away, if you want,” the second offers.
This time, I burst out laughing.
Reaching out a trembling hand, I pull the lock back and open the door.
Familiarity flickers within me, but it’s not strong enough to focus on as I stare into two sets of sympathetic eyes.
“Hi,” the slightly more nervous one of the group says before thrusting her hand out at me. “I’m Freya, and this is Casey.”
I hesitantly slide my palm against hers, aware that this is beyond weird.
“I’m so sorry,” I mumble, my face blazing with embarrassment when I see just how much mascara is smeared across the backs of my hands.
They both step aside as I move toward the sinks.
“I’m okay. You can go,” I say absently as I grab a tissue and attempt to fix my face.
Instead, they close in behind me, their eyes burning into my back.
“What can we do to help?” the sassier one—Casey, I think—asks.
I glance up and find her eyes in the mirror. They’re soft and kind, and before I know what’s happening, words are spilling from my lips.
“Unless you’re able to go back in time to stop me from making a seriously stupid decision that has resulted in me being impregnated by a man who doesn’t believe the baby could be his, then I’m not sure you can help.”
“Oh wow, okay,” she mutters. “That’s—”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to word vomit that at you. I’m just...I’m having a bad day.”
“Understandable,” Freya says.
“You really can go,” I say, turning to face them. “Warm-ups are going to start soon. You don’t want to miss those. Although if I can give you any advice, it’s to stay away from those hockey boys. They’re bad news.”
They share a look.
“Are you saying a player has gotten you pregnant?” Casey asks, concern pulling at her brows.
“I’m not a bunny, I swear. I’d never been to a game before, I didn’t…it was a mistake. I turned him down and—”
A laugh bursts out of Casey while Freya looks back and forth between the two of us. “There was your first mistake. Never challenge a hockey player; they’re competitive as fuck. You’ll never win.”
“No, I’m learning that.”
As they watch me, it’s clear they both have a million and one questions spinning around their heads.
“Thank you,” I say. “I really appreciate…this.” A pained sigh spills from my lips.
An awkward silence falls among us before Freya reaches into her purse, pulls out an old receipt, and begins scribbling on the back of it.
“Here,” she says, holding it out for me. “This is my number. Just in case.”
My fingers curl around it as my heart thumps in my chest.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice trapped by the giant ball of emotion clogging my throat.
“I hope you enjoy the game,” she adds before the two of them walk out, leaving me alone.
I stumble back, my ass hitting the counter before I raise my face to the ceiling.
In my back pocket, my cell begins vibrating.
I know who it is without looking. It’s the same person who has been sending messages every ten minutes since I left her in the atrium earlier.
Standing straight, I hold my head high and walk out of the restroom as if I have control over myself and my emotions. It’s bullshit; I have control of nothing right now, but it’s nice to pretend.
It’s not until I emerge that I realize I’m still up in the offices.
I look each way down the empty hallway, aware that I really shouldn’t be up here.
But I’m not the only one. The piece of paper that’s still in my hand crinkles as I lift it.
Freya Price.
I frown, trying to sort through all the research I’ve done recently to figure out who she is.
Freya Price and Casey—
Oh shit.