Chapter 26
Dylon
F inn motions me into the office but keeps glancing at the door. He circles the desk, peeks into the hall, then picks up my arms as if to examine them.
“Like what you see?” I raise an eyebrow.
“You’re missing an appendage,” he quips and cackles at my stunned expression. “You and Lars are conjoined twins. I was looking for the scars.”
“Haha. We do things apart,” I say, more defensive than necessary.
“Sure, boo.” He hands me an oversized gift bag with lots of tissue paper sticking out.
“What’s this?” I hold it by the strings away from my body. You never know with Finn.
“You gave me such a gift with your pregnancy comment, so now I’m returning the favor. You made my job harder, and I’m making Halloween uncomfortable for you. This is not to be worn in public. This is a private joke for me, and it will hopefully make you think before you speak nonsense that I have to respond to.” He motions for me to look inside.
With a nervous glance, I decide he’s too close for something to pop out or be dangerous. In the tissue paper is a…I’m clueless…a corset, or a funky-ass belt, or a humpback. I turn it over but come up blank.
“It’s a pregnancy belly,” he says, and “dumbass” goes unspoken. “Check the shirt out. ”
The long-sleeve jersey material says “Lucky Lady” on the front with an arrow pointing down to the extra fabric where the belly will go, and the back has embroidered block letters that read Daddy Drake’s Property .
“Fuck, Finn.” I can’t help but laugh at how he’s outdone himself.
“Wear whatever you want for practice, but tonight, at Patrik’s place, I expect you in full costume.”
“Did you really have to fend off questions about a pregnancy?” They had to know I was joking. It’s absurd.
“Modern medicine has come a long way, and you could be the test subject.” He shrugs with a glint in his eye.
“You’re full of shit.” I whack his thigh with the empty bag.
“One trash rag emailed me for a comment, and of all the things I thought I would have to deny about hockey players, pregnancy never came up. Funny how no other players joke about getting knocked up by a teammate. Now run along before you’re late and your other half gets worried.” Finn shoos me out of his office.
I don’t think he would appreciate my animal facts about how rams or other species, like lions, enjoy male mating rituals. I’ll save those for another time.
The guys will think the belly’s hilarious, but I’m keeping it a secret to make a big reveal. As if wearing it will make me uncomfortable. Ha! I’ll show Finn.
I’m the last one to arrive for practice at the arena and get dressed in a hurry. We’re in the city today for the Halloween events. Over my practice jersey, I hook a cape with Lucky 7 printed on a four-leaf clover. Coach gives us twenty minutes to fly around the ice with our capes before cracking down for a real practice. Lars’s has flames with a dragon head, Liska’s is cracked ice with a skull, Ace’s is black with red letters that read Some heroes wear capes , and Benz has an actual superman cape that he wore last year. Jamal’s has a Miles Morales Spiderman.
“You gonna wear that every year?” I elbow Benz.
“You don’t mess with perfection.” He flashes me a wide smile and bats his eyelashes.
“I hope that’s the pic that ends up on our socials,” I tease. “You flirting with me.”
“I know better than to flirt within earshot of your boy.” He slashes the back of my knees with his stick and skates backward. “You all set?” he asks our social media coordinator.
“I’m done.” She lowers her camera. “These’ll be up within the hour.”
Coach barks, “Get your asses in gear, I want a scrimmage.”
We put the fun on hold.
Hours later, after the Enforcers’ Halloween event for kids, I shut myself in Patrik’s guest bathroom to change. The belly is awkward, and I wish I had help, but that would ruin the shock value. The shirt’s tight around the arms and belly, but I grin at myself in the mirror.
“Watch out, coming through, pregnant lady needs a seat.” I strut in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows so everyone has a good view.
Trevor claps his hands. “I knew it’d look good on you. The lavender complements the green in your hazel eyes.”
I arch back with my hands on my hips. “Yeah, I’m a gorgeous mom-to-be. Thankfully, I’m not single.” I turn around, and everyone erupts in laughter.
“We did it, Sweetheart.” I blow a kiss to Lars who, like a good sport, catches it and places it over his heart. This is so over-the-top no one suspects we’re an actual couple.
“Dayyyummm, I want a Daddy Drake,” Caleb pouts, getting several curious glances.
I’ve never had a thought like that, wanting a stranger in a sexual way. In all my past relationships, the women pursued me. My subconscious files that fact away for later.
“No more shit about me and Gray when he’s admitting he’s Drake’s property,” Austin yells.
“Sure thing, lovey. Nice costumes.” Finn points to their matching Thing 1 and Thing 2 onesies .
“We should do a roommate costume challenge next year,” Caleb says.
“Trevor and I vill vin. No need for a contest.” Patrik shrugs and Caleb nods glumly.
Lars traces his name on my back and smirks at Trevor. “You did a good job.”
“I know. Finn provided the inspiration, and I brought it to life.” Trevor adjusts my belly.
“It’s what you do best.” Patrik tugs Trevor away, and Lars’s scowl disappears.
Possessive men.
Fuck it’s hot.
The guys touch my belly, wondering what it feels like and how heavy it is.
“I could wear this all night,” I brag with a wink at Finn. He thought this would annoy me. Nope.
An hour later, it’s itchy and too uncomfortable to sit, and I’m tired of standing after practice, but my pride won’t allow me to take it off.
Jamal brings me a glass of ice with a little water. “You’re sweating. You don’t have to wear it.”
I drink the water and place the glass on my forehead. A ferocious wave of need barrels through me, and my hand shakes with the desire for a drink. Not any drink. My favorite drink as a teen. Maker’s Mark. The preferred drink of choice at events like this. The phantom taste of it sits on my tongue. My rational brain battles to take over and list all the positive reasons to maintain my sobriety. But the devil in me wants to lean closer to Jamal to smell his breath for the beer I saw him drink earlier. I roll my shoulders to get my head on straight and ease the ache in my lower back.
“Thanks, I needed this. I appreciate you, King.” I fist-bump him, trying to act normal.
“My good deed is done so I’m out.” Jamal waves and I watch in envy. Scanning the room, I doubt anyone would notice if I took a drink.
Just a sip.
Lars catches my attention, and I dissolve into a puddle of shame not fit for him to step in. Standing upright is an illusion. I’m a million pieces of trash littering the beautiful home of incredible men. I shouldn’t be here. I don’t belong.
My gut clenches at the thoughts I’ve tried so hard to rid myself of. I thought I’d conquered my demons, but I’m no further along than I was a year ago. Worse because my ego made me believe I was better.
“You ready to leave too?” Lars asks, so close his breath brushes my ear. I fight a tremor along with the voice telling me I don’t deserve him.
“Take me home,” I choke out, afraid of what I’ll do if I stay. Even knowing he could see me drink isn’t a deterrent.
“Gladly. I ordered a car so we can start our goodbyes. You’ve got time to make your rounds.” He motions to our friends. The only time I would duck out without a word was during my depression and when I was having a hard time working my program. I have to fight the urge to run away or toward the alcohol and say goodbye like a normal person. I’m not normal, and every word out of my mouth sounds fake.
Patrik and Trevor kept the alcohol in the dining room, and I appreciate their effort to support me, but I’m weak tonight and every few seconds, my gaze cuts to the doorway to where I’ll find what I need. Lars drags me out so we don’t miss our ride, but I think he knows. His cloudy eyes peer at me again and again.
Lars leans against the sleek wooden rail in the elevator. “I’m glad you know who you belong to.” He gestures to his name on my back with a smirk, like he can hear my thoughts and is trying to help me forget about the alcohol, but then he glances at the security camera in the corner.
“If you keep looking at me like that, it’s going to create a scandal.” A flush creeps up my spine as I play coy. Only I’m not playing. My primal instinct willingly drops the need for alcohol like a ruined toy and latches on to sex like the brightest, shiniest thing it’s ever seen.
“This will be the longest car ride. That stays on while I fuck you,” he rumbles, deepening my blush. “You like being mine.”
Dammit, I’m twitchy and horny and tempted to hit the stop button so he can fuck me right now. Rid me of the sin I almost made. Bathe me in cum for absolution. Make me whole again, not an addict who can’t control his urges. But we can’t do that. I can’t expect him to fix me like that.
And Finn would never forgive us if the tape got leaked. If we come out, he’ll have our backs, but if we get caught with our pants down, his wrath will end us.
I jump at the ding right before the doors slide open, and Lars guides me out with his hand on the small of my back. I almost land on my ass getting into the car, not used to the extra belly weight, but Lars is there to catch me with a gleam in his eyes.
We’re quiet on the ride back to our place, and I rub my fake stomach.
This is the point in the night where I gossip about all the funny things that happened to make Lars laugh. But my mind is a battleground of shame and desire. Lars’s brows draw together, and his lips compress. He knows something’s wrong, but he’s too polite to ask.
Once we’re in our apartment, Lars seizes the back of my neck and marches me to his bedroom. My dick aches for the same attention as my neck as he undresses me silently.
“I’m gonna run into the bathroom to clean up.” I step back, but he holds my wrist. My pulse races, fearing he’ll confront me about almost relapsing.
“Do not take too long. I want what’s mine.” Blue flames flicker in his eyes, and I swallow hard, pushing all the negative thoughts from my brain.