27. Max
27
MAX
I blink sweat out of my eyes. I feel like I’ve been everywhere assisting everyone throughout the game but we are slaying the competition.
“Olivia is killing it,” Aiden says to me during a short break.
I glance over to the far corner of the rink where I can clearly see her, standing next to that asshat, Travis, and talking animatedly. I frown a little when I realize that she’s holding onto the railing behind her.
“I hope she’s not pushing too hard,” I reply, knowing for a fact that she is. She has been for weeks now. But I get it. We’re both ambitious and we both want to meet our own high standards. I understand her need to cover this game for the sake of her career, but I’m still worried about her.
“How did she look this morning when you picked her up?” Connor asks as he skates over to me.
I shrug. “She said she was fine.”
Connor snorts. “Yeah, of course she did. How did she look, though?”
I sigh. “Not great.”
Connor frowns as we skate away from one another. Time to go back to supporting the team and chasing glory.
Dimitri blocks a pass and diverts the puck to me which I then slap over to Aiden. We bring the puck across the ice rapidly, communicating like a well-oiled machine. By the time I shoot the puck into the net, I’m zoned back in, cool and collected, ready to finish stomping all over our competition.
I hear the roar of the crowd and look up to see people waving team jerseys over their heads and jumping up and down. Their excitement causes a smile to break out over my face as I high-five my friends and pump my fists in the air.
Olivia’s commentary rings out through the rink as she praises our quick reflexes, wordless communication, and talent.
I glance up to see that she and Travis are on the jumbotron above. She looks a little tired, but otherwise, she’s doing great, reeling off facts and figures, and bantering with Travis perfectly.
I start to look away when I hear a loud gasp ripple across the stands. I skate to a stop and look up at the jumbotron. Olivia has vanished from sight and Travis is staring downward, a look of disgust on his face. Her mic is still on, and I can hear her assistant asking if she’s okay and if she can hear her.
I skate over to the corner of the rink where she was standing and realize that she’s now lying on the ground. Travis is just staring at her, unmoving. As I watch, Olivia starts to stir and begins speaking to her assistant.
“I think I’m okay but I really should go to the hospital. I’m pregnant and I want someone to check on the baby.”
Her voice rings out through the arena louder than normal due to the worried hush that’s fallen over the crowd. I cringe as I realize that there is no way that anyone missed what she just said.
Connor skates over to me, a worried frown on his face. “Pregnant? Did you know about this?”
I open my mouth and shut it, not sure what to say.
“Pregnant? She’s pregnant?” Dimitri says as he skates up and slides to a sharp stop.
“Max, did you know about this?” Aiden asks, echoing Connor’s question as he joins us.
I keep opening my mouth and then shutting it. Anything I say will feel like a betrayal to them and telling them anything at all without speaking with my sister first will be a betrayal to her. I feel trapped, not sure what the right answer is.
Dimitri glares at me for a moment then says, “He knew. Dammit. Why didn’t you tell us?”
I hold up my hands. “She asked me not to say anything until after the game. She didn’t want to distract you guys. Besides, you assholes didn’t tell me that you were all in a relationship or whatever it is. You can’t be mad at me for this.”
We all scowl at one another for a moment then Aiden grabs my arm. “They’re taking her away on a stretcher. Do you want to go with her?”
I nod and skate away toward the boards to talk to Coach.
“Go with her,” he tells me before I even have to ask, moving out of my way so I can step off the ice.
“Thanks,” I say, a small part of my heart aching at the thought of missing the rest of the game, the other part focused on getting to my sister.
When I stumble up the stairs, still in my skates, I find that they are loading Liv into an ambulance. I quickly yank off my skates and hurry over to talk to her.
“Stay and finish the game,” she says to me as they lift her into the ambulance.
“I want to go with you.” I look at the paramedics and they nod, moving over so I can get into the ambulance with her. I take her hand and squeeze it, noticing her pallor. She gives me a thin smile then closes her eyes.
“I think I might throw up.”
“Here you go, hon,” the female paramedic says, passing her an emesis bag which she clutches like her life depends on it.
“You really shouldn’t have pushed so hard,” I tell her as I sit down.
“I know, but I really needed to cover this game. It’s such a big opportunity for me to shine. I guess I fucked it all up, though.”
I open my mouth to reply but the paramedic beats me to it. “Oh, hell no, honey,” she says as the ambulance turns onto the main road and picks up speed. “I’ve been watching your coverage all afternoon. You are amazing. That Travis guy is just getting in your way.”
Liv coughs out a chuckle, but there’s a twinkle in her eye now. “You really think so? I was so lightheaded I wasn’t sure what I was doing half the time.”
“She’s right, you were amazing,” I tell her, giving her hand another squeeze. The smile slips from my face as I say, “Obviously the boys know now.”
She nods, her mouth tilting into a frown. “Yeah, along with the whole world,” she says quietly. “Are they angry?”
I sigh. “I think they’re more hurt than anything. They were angry at me for keeping it a secret from them.”
“I get that. I just need them to win tonight’s game. We can fight about all of this later.”
“Look, men always have variable reactions when they find out their girl is pregnant, even if they were there for the process that leads to it. They’ll come around.” The paramedic gives me a reassuring smile. I smile back, settling in as we head toward the hospital.
“I hope that the baby is okay,” Liv says in a tiny voice.
“We’ll get them to check everything,” I reassure her. “Are you… you’re keeping it, right?” I dare to ask.
Her eyes fly open and she glares at me. “Max! Yes, of course I am.”
I hold up my hands defensively. “Okay, okay. Just checking. Last I knew, you had the next 10 years planned out to a tee.”
She relents a little and sighs heavily. “I know, but sometimes, a lot of times, life throws us a curveball.”
I feel relieved at her words. I would support any decision she made but this choice feels better. I don’t have any idea how to feel about the fact that she was sleeping with all of my friends, at the same time, but I do know how I feel about my sister. I love her and I want what’s best for her. Always. And I want what’s best for my little niece or nephew growing inside of her.
We get to the hospital and I hop out of the ambulance, following the paramedics into the building. They wheel her into a room where nurses surround her, transferring her onto the bed and immediately checking her vitals and hooking her up to a heart monitor.
“This is one of the best hospitals in the area,” the kind paramedic tells me. She squeezes my shoulder and adds, “You’re a good brother. I’ll be thinking positive thoughts for you both.”
“Thanks so much,” I reply, glancing over my shoulder at her as she leaves then stepping over to Liv’s bedside.
“The doctor will be here soon,” one of the nurses says as she slips past me in the doorway.
I walk over to Liv’s bedside and look at her for a moment. She stares back at me before saying,“I don’t know how to do this.”
I shake my head and laugh. “You think I do?”
She giggles. “No, but I’m the planner so it’s bad news if I don’t know what to do.”
“Hello there,” the doctor says as she comes into the room. “Let’s take a peek and check on your baby. Do you want to be alone for the exam?” she asks Liv, glancing at me.
“I can hang out in the hall,” I say before Liv can reply.
“No, I need the support,” Liv says to me, holding out her hand, which I take. “This is my brother, Max,” she tells the doctor.
“Nice to meet you, Max,” the doctor says. “Okay, let’s check on the little life we’ve got growing in there.”
I stay silent as the doctor lifts Liv’s shirt and squeezes ultrasound gel onto her belly. Liv has closed her eyes again, and I can tell she’s still not feeling great.
As the doctor moves the wand around, rapid little beats fill the room and an image appears on the screen. It almost sounds like the beats are under water. “Good news,” the doctor says. “The heartbeat is strong. Have you had your first checkup yet?” she asks.
Liv sighs. “No. I have an appointment next week.”
The doctor nods. “Well then, let me be the first to congratulate you. You’re having twins.”
Liv blinks and turns her head toward me so fast I’m afraid it might pop off. “Twins?” she says in a confused voice, fear in her eyes.
I squeeze her hand again and smile. “Guess so. Two for the price of one. It does run in the family,” I remind her.
She gives me a small smile in return and shakes her head. “Wow,” is all she can say.
The doctor points out each heartbeat on the screen along with each little peanut. She then pats Liv’s knee and hands her a cloth to wipe the gel off her belly.
“I’ll print these pictures for you,” she says. “You need to get more rest and eat better. Keep your appointment next week. Your regular OB/GYN will give you a list of things to help you throughout the pregnancy, along with a prescription for some prenatal vitamins. Most mothers of twins find that it’s hard to keep up with their daily demands without sufficient nutrition and sleep. Make sure to put your needs first, we don’t want you having another fainting spell. Your twins will only be as healthy as mom is.”
Liv nods. “Okay. Thank you.”
“Also,” the doctor says before she leaves the room, “I love your coverage of the games. You’re a natural.”
“Oh, my, thank you!” Liv says to her with a big smile.
“She’s not wrong, you know,” I say to my sister once we’re alone.
“Thanks,” she replies, her voice sounding a little stronger now. “It’s just… I don’t know how I will be able to keep up the momentum of my career now that I’m having twins.” She rubs her belly.
“We’ll figure it out. All of us, together. We’re a team, right? The boys and I will help make it possible for you to still live out your dreams while being an amazing mom.”
She smiles up at me gratefully. “Thank you for being such a great brother,” she tells me.
I smile back. “You make it easy.”
Her expression darkens a little. “Now, I just have to apologize and tell the boys about the baby, uh, babies.”
“Don’t worry about that right now. Just concentrate on feeling better. Want me to check the score?”
“Yes, please.”
I pull out my phone, and we tune in to the game coverage just in time to see Aiden slap in the winning goal at the buzzer. We grin at one another as the crowd goes wild. Within minutes, Travis starts collecting interviews with the team.
“Well, that’s one thing checked off the list,” Liv says, sounding satisfied.
She bites her lip and places her hand on her belly, a pensive look crossing her face. I can only imagine all the worries racing through her mind, one of which being that she may have to sit the big day out.
My heart aches at the thought of having to play in the Stanley Cup Finals without her up in the press box covering the action. We’ve both dreamed of this for most of our lives. We’ve always been a package deal, doing everything together as kids, and she has always loved hockey just as much as me.
It makes me sad to think that the pregnancy could keep her from having her special moment along with me, the team, and the boys.
I sigh as I think about the situation that she’s in with my friends. Knowing that there are two babies on the way, I’m glad that she will have a lot of help and support, but I’m also really worried about the commitment side of it.
I don’t know how I would feel if I was asked to make a foursome work. Would I get jealous? Probably. I don’t know how to imagine a reality where that would make sense for me.
However, I do have to admit that they have always been the best kind of friends that anyone could ask for, and she was never far away from our little gaggle of buddies while we were growing up.
My sister could always hang with the guys, and she clearly knew what she wanted from life at a young age. She always had. If this was what will make her happy now, I will support it.
I still want to clobber them, though, knowing that they had all kept this secret from me. I sigh and smile at Liv.
For now, she’s got enough on her plate without having to worry about me and how I’m feeling. I’m not going to tell her that I will be having a very serious discussion with the guys before things go any further. I’m not above telling them that they can’t date her unless they promise not to hurt her.
We might be all grown-up now, but she’s still my little sister. I have to look out for her and protect her.
I also have to look out for the well-being of the team. I don’t want this pregnancy and the logistics of their relationship to make it impossible for us to work together. Taking away her chance to cover one of the biggest sports events in the world because we can’t keep our emotions in check would be an insult to injury.
I tell Liv that I’m going to go grab a cup of coffee. Once I’m in the hallway, I text Connor the hospital address, telling him that they can come and visit, but only if they promise to be on their best behavior.
Connor, ever the worrywart, sends me back a series of question marks and nothing else.
I sigh.
Don’t freak out, she’s fine. Just don’t be dicks when you show up, is all.
There’s a brief pause then Connor sends me back a devil emoji. I grumble, but then another text pops through.
We just want to be there for Liv. We won’t be stupid, I promise.
“I don’t know if you’re capable of being smart,” I say to myself quietly, then decide I really need that cup of coffee. I need to be on top of my game to deal with the possible onslaught of drama that is likely to happen when the trio joins us at the hospital.