Chapter 7
ALLY
Maybe there was no need to panic. It would be fine. Totally fine.
I sighed and stared at the spreadsheet on my computer screen that I was supposed to be updating with new market research for one of our bigger clients. Focus on the numbers and not on the fact that my baby daddy was flying here right now to play a hockey game against my brother, who still didn’t know that said baby daddy was THE baby daddy.
I blew out a frustrated breath and let a few curse words slip out. I’d had plenty of time to tell Ethan in the last few weeks… no, the last thirty weeks… and here it was game day, and I still hadn’t clued my family in. But it wasn’t like Dom was going to blab the information to everyone. He asked a few times over the last two weeks if and when I was going to say something to Ethan, but he hadn’t pressured me at all. I mean, it wasn’t like he’d told his family about it as far as I knew.
Yeah. It would be fine.
They would play a game, and then Dom and I would go out to dinner. Not to Lanzi’s, obviously, but somewhere else. Totally nothing to worry about.
My phone buzzed across my desk, startling me from my panicking thoughts, and I gasped. “Shit.”
Phew, it was just my mom.
I tapped on her name, and six images filled the screen.
Mom: You can’t be mad, but I couldn’t resist.
Mom: It’s my right to spoil her.
I laughed and scanned through the images of a cozy kid-sized butterfly chair that would go perfectly with my theme, an otter stuffed animal because otters are my favorite, and a few onesies. My heart clenched. One of them was a picture of an acute angle and said, “I’m acute baby.”
And then I was thinking about the shirt Dom got me. How much thought had gone into his gift still brought up feelings that I couldn’t brush off as heartburn.
What was I doing?
Mom: Don’t ignore how perfect everything is.
I sucked in a breath at those words. Everything with Dom felt perfect and messy. Shit. I was so damn nervous about tonight. What would it be like to see him in person? Our last face-to-face had gone about as bad as possible, and we’d made real progress, but what would it be like without a screen between us?
Mom: Are we still on for a late lunch today?
I shook myself and focused on her texts.
Ally: Yes. And the gifts are perfect. I’ll text you when I’m out of my appointment.
Mom: Still feeling good?
I ran my hand over my ever-growing bump and smiled.
Ally: Just some heartburn.
Mom: She’s going to have a full head of hair when she comes out. You gave me the worst heartburn.
I had a regular prenatal appointment scheduled for noon, and with Ethan’s game tonight, I’d taken a half-day at work. Luckily, I was finishing up the review right now that was due by the end of the day, so as long as I stopped thinking about Dom, I could get my job done before I had to leave.
***
“Looking glowy and perfect as always,” Mom said after the hostess had guided me to the table a few hours later. “How’s my little princess?” she asked my belly.
“Doing well. Measuring where she should. I got new pics.” I sat down and pulled out the three images the doctor had given me. I’d already sent them to Dom. He claimed he loved all the new pictures even if he didn’t always know what he was looking at.
Why was that so sweet?
“Blissfully happy,” Mom said.
“What?”
“You. You look so happy. And my grandbaby is doing well. Ten weeks to go, and she’ll finally be here. I cannot wait.”
“Me either. She’s killing my bladder.”
“It’s all worth it. And I’ll be available for anything you need. Babysitter. Chef. I’ll help you hire a cleaning lady.”
I chuckled. Mom hated cleaning the house, as did Dad, so she’d made my father agree to a cleaning lady twice a month shortly after they’d gotten married.
“And, honey, if you ever want to talk to me about anything, you know you can.”
I put my hand over hers. “I know, Mom.”
“I just hate that you’re doing this alone. I mean, you’re not alone. You have a family who loves and supports you, and this little girl is going to want for nothing, but being a single parent is hard. So anything you need, you just call me.”
My heart squeezed. “Thanks.” She was dying to know who the father was. She was mad that he didn’t want to be involved, and that made me feel shitty because he did, and I was keeping him a secret because I didn’t know how to make it all work, and I hated that. I was a planner, I figured shit out, and currently, I was at a loss.
Right now, I could easily tell Mom about Dom. She knew all about him from years ago—okay, maybe not all about him—but instead, we ordered our lunch and talked about how the nursery was coming along.
***
“I’m an asshole.”
Darcy quirked her brow at me later that night. “I doubt that.”
“No. Seriously. I had the chance to tell my mom about Dom at lunch today and didn’t. I never told Ethan. And now Dom is in town, definitely already at the arena, and I’m making him keep this secret.”
Darcy pulled me into a hug. “Don’t beat yourself up. This isn’t easy for you. You want your ducks in a row.”
“My ducks have morphed into drunk squirrels again,” I muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m going to tell Ethan tomorrow. Yeah. Tomorrow. When Dom isn’t on the ice with him.”
“Yeah, you definitely missed your window for today. Just talk to Dom tonight after the game, figure some stuff out, and tell Ethan and your family later. They’ll be fine with it.”
I snorted.
“Okay, your parents will probably be fine with it, and Ethan will get over himself because you are the priority, not his overprotective caveman posturing.”
I barked out a laugh. “Seriously, why are hockey players like that?”
Darcy blushed. “Honestly, sometimes it’s kind of hot.”
“Oh my god, Darc. Your face is so pink. Yeah, I totally love that for you, of course.”
“It’s going to be fine. You’ll see. Now, let’s finish getting ready so we can head over to the arena. I don’t want to miss Jake’s warm-ups.”
I giggled, pointing at her. “Red. You’re so red right now.”
“Stop it. I’m just being a supportive girlfriend.”
“No. You want to watch him stretch his hips.”
“Stretching is important for hockey players,” she huffed but couldn’t hide her grin. “I can’t help it. He’s hot.”
“So is Dom. I guess I wouldn’t mind watching him stretch.”
“Now, who has a red face?”
“Shut up. My hormones have taken control of my brain. It’s them talking, not me.”
“Sure it is.”
My phone dinged with a text, and I glanced down to see Dom’s name.
“Look at that smile,” Darcy said.
“Shut it.” I didn’t glance up at her. She was probably smirking. Jake really was rubbing off on my bestie.
Dom: Still on for a late dinner tonight?
Dom: It’s still weird being here in the visitor’s locker room.
Ally: Yes. And I can imagine it is. Good luck tonight.
Ally: I mean, don’t actually win, but a tight game is fine.
Dom: I’m getting a goal just for you and Baby Girl.
Ally: So, is that two goals, or do we have to share one?
Ally: Kidding. Good luck. See you tonight.
“That smile.”
I shot Darcy a glare, and she didn’t have the decency to look chagrined at all.
It was going to be fine. I had a plan. We would get through this game, secret intact, and Dom and I would discuss it tonight. And tomorrow, I’d tell Ethan when he didn’t have the chance to punch Dom in the face.
Win-win.
DOM
Apprehension-fueled nerves hit me as I headed down the tunnel to the ice for warm-ups. This wasn’t the first time I was playing in the Strikers’ barn against my old team, but it was still weird. They were the team I’d started with—the team I’d wanted to end my career with. Not that any player had control of that in this league, what with guys constantly being traded from one team to the next. It was the nature of the sport.
But tonight, there were added nerves because Ally was coming to the game, and all of my old teammates were still in the dark about me being her baby daddy. The decision of when to tell them was hers and while I was tired of it being a secret, I would not out her.
We’d made a lot of progress with our texts and phone calls recently, but I wanted to spend some actual time with her. I still had a tough time believing she’d agreed to a late dinner with me. A few of my old teammates had messaged to meet them at Crash and Byrne, but I wanted to spend time with her.
And that just brought up an entire new crop of issues because we still lived in different states. I had no clue what was going to happen next, aside from the fact that, in a few short months, I was going to be a father.
Fuck.How was that even real?
“You joining us?” Micah asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
Everyone else was on the ice, and I still stood inside the entryway to the ice at the end of the tunnel.
I shook my head again. “Oh, uh, yeah.”
“It’ll be fine. As long as they all don’t bum-rush you when you hit the ice, you can probably assume your impending fatherhood is still a secret,” he said.
I side-eyed him. “Thanks, man. Really reassuring.”
Micah chuckled. “Hopefully, it’ll be fine. Now, get your ass on the ice before Millsy or Sunny hunt you down. And don’t forget your baby mama is watching, so score a goal or two, will ya?”
I barked out a laugh. “Fuck. No pressure or anything.”
“Move your ass,” Micah said before heading past the bench and onto the ice.
As my skates hit the smooth surface, my focus was where it should be—on tonight’s game. And maybe I scanned the glass around the rink to see if I could spot a certain beautiful brunette.
Maybe she was up in one of the suites or something.
“You daydreaming about what it would be like to beat us?” a familiar voice called out. Baz stood in front of me, his elbow resting on the top of his stick as he grinned.
“Oh, fuck off. We’re going to kick your hairy ass,” I fired back.
“You wish. And it’s not hairy. Just ask Gabi. Smooth as a baby’s bottom,” he said—and I almost lost my footing when he said baby.
Fuck. I couldn’t let that word throw me.
“Not the image I needed, but thanks. Surprised she’s still putting up with you.”
Baz laughed. “She loves me, hair and all.” Baz bore a similar resemblance to a certain beloved Wookie, but I guess it worked for him.
“Can we not talk about your hairiness? Hey, Dom, how’s it going in Denver?” Harty asked.
Harty. Ally’s brother.
Be cool.
“Uh, great. Nice city. Team’s looking good this year. Can’t complain,” I answered calmly, shifting on my skates.
“Wasn’t Ally just in Denver?” Baz asked.
Control your face.
“She was?” I asked.
Harty shot Baz a look.
“Yeah. She was there for a work conference or something,” Harty replied.
“Too bad she didn’t reach out. I could’ve taken her sightseeing or something.”
I stifled a groan. Fucking hell, you dumbass.
Harty tilted his head, his eyes slightly narrowed.
“Sightseeing. Yeah. Sure.” Baz chuckled.
“Fuck off, man. Ally and Dom were never really friends,” Harty said.
I tamped down a snort. Harty could say Ally and I weren’t close all he wanted, but he knew we’d hooked up years ago, regardless of his discouragement.
“Sure. Of course,” Baz said, his eyes never leaving mine.
Was my throat closing up?
“Yeah, I guess we really aren’t friends.” What the fuck else was I supposed to say?
“Sorry for snapping, man. It’s good to see you. Oh, and also, sorry, we’re going to send you home with zero points,” Harty said before he skated off.
Baz tapped his glove against his stick. “I just find it interesting that you’d want to see her at all. But then again, you were awfully close to each other at Harty and Penny’s wedding last year, and I thought I saw you two leaving Crash and Byrne together after the last game you guys played here in March.” He paused for a moment. “And now she’s pretty pregnant.”
What.
The.
Fuck.
“Don’t pass out, man,” Baz said.
The guy had always been too observant. He played the bumbling prankster perfectly, and it was easy to forget that he could read people so well you’d think he was a fucking fortune teller or some shit.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, panic welling up in my chest.
Baz skated closer to me. “Look, it’s not my place to tell you what to do, but Ally’s a great girl, and you two have a weird history. Just figure it out before that little girl shows up, okay? And I already got her a Bastian jersey.”
“Fuck that. She’ll be wearing Tremblay,” I fired back.
Jake skated to a stop next to me and Baz, his eyes wide. “No fucking way.”
“Jake,” I began.
“You got Ally pregnant,” Jake announced before I could stop him.
“What the actual fuck? You’re the one who fucking knocked up my sister?” Harty growled as he shoved Baz aside and gripped my jersey.
Jake shook his head. “Oh fuck, man.”
“This is your fault, Baz, running your damn mouth as usual,” I said as Harty twisted my jersey.
“Pretty sure this is all on you, man,” Baz said, holding up his hands. He at least had the decency to look slightly chagrined. If I really thought about it, the fucker probably planned this.
“Tell me again how you got Ally pregnant,” Harty gritted out.
“Pretty sure you don’t want a play-by-play,” Jake joked.
Harty turned to glare at his best friend. “Fuck. Off.”
“Look, it just happened, man,” I said, and before I could think of something smart to actually say, Harty had me pressed into the boards, his elbow at my throat.
“You fucked her and walked away? Leaving her to navigate being pregnant on her own and raise this baby on her own? Not that she’ll be alone because she has all of us, but what the fuck, asshole? You should’ve stayed away from her, like I told you more than once. Now she’s pregnant, and you clearly don’t give a shit,” he said, his words slicing through me.
“Listen, I didn’t know about the baby until she came to Denver,” I said, shifting my shoulders.
His eyes bored into mine, and I swallowed hard, which wasn’t easy since he still had his forearm across my throat.
Flower skated up, and his gaze darted between Harty and me. “What’s going on over here?”
“Why don’t you ask pretty boy over here?” Harty growled, still glaring at me.
“Harty, come on, man. Let him go,” Flower said.
“What the hell is happening?” Tally asked from right behind me.
“Just having a nice, friendly Striker reunion,” Baz deadpanned.
“Dom was just telling me how he knocked up my sister and abandoned her. So I’m sharing my feelings with him,” Harty said, finally dropping his arm from my throat as he continued to glare at me.
“Oh fuck,” I heard Micah say from somewhere, but I kept my eyes on Harty.
“You got Little Harty pregnant?” Flower asked. “Oh fuck, man.”
I swallowed again. “Look, can we not do this right now? Harty, man, I know we need to talk. And I didn’t abandon her. She just told me when she was in Denver last month. We’re working it out, but have some respect for your sister, and don’t air her personal business on the ice in front of everyone.” I didn’t need to scan the ice to know that players on both sides had started watching us.
His eyes narrowed further if that was possible, and he shoved my shoulder. “You’re going to tell me how to respect my sister when you clearly didn’t give a fuck?”
Someone whistled low, and I definitely heard an oh fuck, and you idiot float through the air. Yeah, not my best choice of words, but I was still trying to get oxygen to my brain after he’d pressed his arm to my throat.
“This is between Ally and me, Harty. I swear I didn’t know until recently and I promise we’re figuring things out. Give me the fucking benefit of the doubt, man. We played together for years. You know me.”
“Yeah, which is exactly why I told you to stay away from her. She deserves better than some snot-nosed asshole player,” he gritted out.
I took in a deep breath, speaking slowly and hoping Harty would fucking listen. “She does deserve better than me, but we’re having a kid—your niece—and we are working on what happens next, so back off. And since you clearly don’t trust what I’m saying, maybe talk to her,” I said, anger bubbling in my chest.
Yeah, Ally deserved better, and I had been a player. But I wasn’t that punk nineteen-year-old rookie anymore, and Harty fucking knew it.
“Okay, okay. Let’s just step back for a moment, everybody,” Flower said.
I finally glanced up to see both teams watching us. I hated that we’d made a scene, but I had to stand up for myself. For Ally.
Fuck. She was going to freak out when she heard about this, and there was no way she wouldn’t.
I was surprised Millsy hadn’t come over to ask what the fuck was going on.
Harty jabbed me in the chest. “This isn’t over. You and I are both going to talk to Ally after the game, and if you’re lying to me, I’m going to skewer you.”
I swallowed hard. “Got it.”
“Good. Now, everyone, clear the ice. Warm-ups are over, and we’re all going to play a good game. And nobody is going to go after Dom, got it?” Flower said sternly.
“Yeah, yeah,” my former teammates echoed. But each of them side-eyed me with various levels of frustration, anger, and shock as they skated by. Everyone on the team loved Ally, and I had to give it to them, the optics weren’t good.
Micah nudged my shoulder. “Maybe you should wear two cups tonight.”
“Fuck off,” I muttered.
“Want to tell me what the hell that was about?” Millsy asked when I reached the bench.
“Uh, Harty just found out that I got his sister pregnant,” I said. May as well just let it all out since it wasn’t going to be a secret for much longer, and Millsy was still close to a bunch of the Strikers. He’d only retired a year before taking the coaching position for the Stampede.
“Well, shit,” he said.
My thoughts exactly.