Chapter 26
LAINEY
Walking back into the arena for the pregame treatment for applicable players, I’m greeted by Caitlin and her warm smile. I’m so thankful that she’s been nothing but supportive of Jensen’s and my relationship. At first, I could tell she was definitely a little wary, and I can’t blame her.
Since Jensen and I will be telling my parents about the baby today, I might as well tell Caitlin too. It’ll be nice to not feel like I have this enormous secret.
“Hey,” Caitlin greets me and hands me a water bottle. “Ready for tonight? We have quite a few players who need pregame treatment.”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I say politely, even though I could use a shot of espresso in my veins right now.
She goes through the pregame plan as we head to the training room. I don’t typically help with that, but we have four players who need some muscles or joints worked through, special attention going to Matt MacArthur, who’s been having hip flexor pain lately.
We’ve been working together every week to strengthen it up and ease the strain. But these players’ bodies are a constant work in progress, not snapping back to perfection overnight.
After Caitlin and I work through the players and their areas of need, preparing them for the game, I pull her aside.
“Can I speak with you for a moment?” I murmur.
A glint of concern flashes in her eyes as she nods. “Of course.”
She walks over to the door that’s propped open and shuts it before walking back over to where I’m leaning against one of the tables. “Everything okay?”
Twiddling my thumbs together, I try not to avoid her stare, keeping my gaze on hers. “I wanted to tell you that Jensen and I have reported our relationship to HR.”
A smile lifts the corners of her lips. “I’m aware.”
“You are?” I gasp.
She chuckles. “Yes. I was notified about it shortly after. But I appreciate you telling me.”
My gaze falls to my hands and the baggy fabric covering my stomach. “That’s not all of it.”
She remains silent, and I look up at her, finding her eyes.
“I’m also pregnant.”
Her eyes immediately sparkle with excitement, her lips parting in awe. “Lainey, that’s incredible. Congratulations.”
My heart soars at her immediate approval. I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m glad disappointment didn’t flutter through her gaze.
“Thank you.”
The door swings open, and Jensen crutches through, his eyes bouncing between us awkwardly.
“Oh, sorry. I feel like I interrupted something.”
He tries turning around on his crutches, but I stop him. “Wait, it’s okay. I think we’re done?” I look over at Caitlin, and she smiles with a soft nod. “Need anything else?”
“I think we’ve got it from here. Thank you for helping us out tonight.”
“Anytime. We’ll be up in the box. If you need anything, just text me!” I offer, and she shoos us out the door, telling us to enjoy the game.
Jensen and I are meeting up with my parents. We’re going to be watching the game from one of the club boxes.
I pull my phone out as Jensen and I walk into the hallway, checking for messages from my parents.
Mom: Hi, honey! We’re in the box! There is so much food up here! Are you going to be here soon?! So excited to see you!
I laugh to myself, seeing her excitement clearly from the amount of exclamation points she’s using. But I can’t blame her because I’m feeling the same way, but probably a bit more nervous, given the secret we’re about to share with them.
I shoot her a quick text as we step into the elevator and head up to the club level.
On our way up now!
The short ride upstairs does little to ease my nerves, but the moment we step into the box and I meet my mom’s eyes, my heart relaxes.
No one else has arrived yet, thankfully, so we have the place to ourselves. The box is shared by the Nighthawks players’ families.
“Sweetie!” she cries out and rushes toward me, throwing her arms around me.
The air whooshes out between us, and I inhale deeply, trying to drown myself in the comforting scent of my mom. She tightens around me and rocks me back and forth, my mind and soul melting into her embrace.
“I missed you.” My words are muffled against her sweater.
She kisses my head. “I missed you too, baby.”
We pull away, and she wipes the wetness away under her eyes with a smile on her face.
Jensen and my dad talking pulls my attention, and I turn, seeing them shortly embrace with matching grins. They pull away, and I switch with Jensen, throwing my arms around my dad, feeling his happy chuckle vibrate through me.
“Hey, Lainey.” His warm, deep voice floods my emotions, taking me by surprise. “I missed you, peanut.”
“I missed you too, Dad.” I fight the burning sensation forming in the back of my eyes.
Rapidly blinking it away, I step back with a smile.
Jensen notices immediately, smiling sweetly. He crutches over to me and slides his arm around the small of my back, pulling me into his side and kissing the top of my head.
My gaze bounces between my parents, who don’t look surprised in the slightest. It takes me less than a second to realize why that is … my big-mouthed brother.
I sigh. “Luca already told you.”
Mom nervously bites her top lip. “He did! But we are still so excited!”
Dad clasps his hands together before hugging Jensen again. “Welcome to the family.”
My heart clenches, as I know how much this means to Jensen—to be loved and supported by them. Looking up at Jensen, I try to communicate my thoughts with a long stare. He nods, hopefully reading my mind correctly because if not, this is about to be awkward.
“There’s something Luca didn’t tell you guys because he doesn’t know.” I clear my throat, standing up taller as Jensen’s fingers wrap around my waist, tugging me closer to him.
My mom’s eyes light up like she can tell exactly what I’m going to say.
I glance back up to Jensen for strength, and he smiles and nods as I push the words through my grin.
“I’m pregnant.”
Mom squeals and rushes us, throwing her arms around us both. “Ahh! I knew it! I knew it!” She jumps up and down, arms wrapped around our shoulders. “I’m so excited!”
My dad pulls her away with tears in his eyes. “Best news ever, kiddos.”
My heart officially explodes, overwhelmed with love as tears of my own stream down my cheeks.
The announcer’s voice booms through the arena as the ten-second warm-up light show begins. “Welcome your New York Nighthawks to the ice!”
The crowd roars, applause ringing out as Matt leads the team out, knocking the pyramid of pucks off of the bench.
All of our attention shifts to the ice as we walk over to the top of the divider, looking down at the rink. I find Luca almost instantly, without needing to see his name or number, but solely from the way he skates.
Jensen stands behind me, leaning his arms on the railing outside of mine. He presses his kiss to my hair, and my cheeks warm.
My parents stand beside us, beaming down at Luca with pride in their eyes, and a thought passes into my mind. One day, I’ll see that same look in Jensen’s eyes when we look at our kid, whether that’s on the ice or any path they choose.
I was so scared of the changes life thrust upon me, but sometimes, it really all does work out in the end. For the most part at least. We would give anything to have Carly here next to us. I would do anything to make Jensen’s mom and dad be better parents.
Life isn’t always hat tricks and victories. Sometimes, you have to learn how to lose to be grateful for the wins that come along, and with my family at our side, Jensen at my back, and our baby growing inside me, this is a win.
“You’re pregnant?!” Luca scoffs, staring at my belly like the baby is going to magically appear.
I nod, and Luca’s gaze shifts to Jensen.
“I ask you to keep an eye on her, and this is what happens?” He’s pretending to be mad as he walks over to him, his frown shifting to a smile as he daps Jensen up, pulling him in for a quick hug. “Congrats, guys!”
Luca shifts to me, pulling me tight and picking me up from the ground ever so slightly. “I’m going to be an uncle!”
I laugh as he lowers me back down. “Oh God. A horrifying thought.”
He scowls at me and steps back, crossing his arms. “Rude.” Looking around at everyone standing in the kitchen, he nervously clears his throat. “I have something I need to tell you guys too.”
“You’re pregnant?” Jensen gasps. “I knew you were showing.”
Luca glares at him. “Shut up. No.”
He taps his thumb on the table repeatedly. “I, uhh … I think I’m getting traded. I mean, I know I’m getting traded. I’m not supposed to say anything yet though.”
“It’s just us!” My dad scoffs. “We won’t tell anyone.”
He stretches his neck side to side. “It’d be a really big change for everyone here.”
My brows furrow, and I murmur, “How?”
I see the moment a smile starts forming on his lips, the twitch of his cheek giving it away. “Because I’m being traded to the Nighthawks.”
“No! Fucking! Way!” Jensen shouts, crutching over to him and slapping the back of his head. “You should’ve told me sooner!”
Luca rubs his head. “It’s not official just yet. But it’s probably going to be. You can’t tell anyone yet though because your guy doesn’t know about it.”
“Who is it?” I ask, hoping it’s not one of Jensen’s good friends.
“Ryan Carter,” Luca whispers.
“Oh, thank God.” Jensen rubs his chest. “I was nervous it was someone we’d actually miss. The guy’s a bit of a tool, even if he is a quick shot and smooth player. Plus, we get you out of the deal? Fuck yeah!”
Everyone’s smile takes over their face, and I think my cheeks might actually be sore tomorrow from the love going around tonight.
So many things are changing, and I know there’s even more to come, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“What’re you doing in here?” Jensen asks.
I turn, finding him leaning against the doorframe of the nursery, wearing only plaid pajama pants, sans shirt, making my hormones go absolutely insane.
My God, it should be illegal to have that many abs, especially with him being out of commission right now.
Standing up, I leave the piles of baby clothes I was folding and walk over to him, throwing my arms around his neck. “Just taking it all in.”
He leans down and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “I can’t wait to find out what we’re having.”
“What are you hoping for?”
“A healthy baby. I don’t care about their gender as long as they’re healthy.” His hand slides around my back, securing me to him. “Lain?”
“Yeah?” I whisper, my neck craned straight back.
His soft tongue swipes across his bottom lip, his eyelids hooded and a smile growing. “I love you.”
My heart skips a beat, and I stretch up as far as I can on my toes, kissing him deeply. “I love you too, Jensen.”
“Promise?” He inhales my breath before giving it back to me.
“I promise.”