CHAPTER ELEVEN THEO
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THEO
Pulling my helmet off, I shake my head, pushing my damp hair away from my forehead with my glove.
I’m in desperate need of a shower after practice today.
We flew in late last night after a short road trip to Chicago and Detroit.
Today’s an off day, so no game, but that only gave Coach more of a reason to work us into the ice today.
We won one game and lost the other. Tomorrow night is our home opener and we’re playing against a team we beat multiple times last year.
That doesn’t mean we’ll beat them tomorrow night, though.
Hockey doesn’t have to be pretty when it’s played.
All that matters is getting pucks in the net, and things in a game can change in fractions of a second.
“Simmons.” Coach’s voice cuts through the cold air as I come off the ice. The rest of the guys are already funneling into the locker room. “You got a second?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
He nods over toward the bench, motioning for me to come sit with him. “I wanted to talk to you about you and Lucy.”
Shit. I managed to avoid him catching me alone while we were on the road, but it looks like my luck may have run out.
“Sure.” I sit down next to him. “What’s going on?”
Coach Ford stares at me for a long moment. “I spoke with your father yesterday. He seemed normal. Didn’t bring anything up.” He tilts his head. “You haven’t told them yet, have you?”
Dammit. “No.” I shake my head, my stomach sinking. “I wanted to tell them in person.” With Lucy, preferably. “It’s been a lot to take in.” That is one thing that’s fact and not a lie.
“I get that,” he says, nodding. “Even when you’re actively trying to have a baby, it still takes you by surprise when it happens.”
Coach has two daughters, so I think he might know what he’s talking about. I grew up with them—Tella and Pippa. Tella’s five years older than me and the eldest. He had her with his first wife, who unfortunately passed away right before her first birthday.
Pippa is nineteen and in college at North Shore University with my younger brother Ryland.
Which reminds me, I need to tell him too. Shit… the list keeps growing.
“I believe it.” I chuckle nervously as I pull my hands from my gloves and set them on the boards. “I’m supposed to grab lunch with my parents tomorrow after morning skate, so I planned on telling them then.”
“Good.” He dips his head. “They should know. I haven’t talked to Rowan, but I’m assuming Lucy’s parents know?”
“Yeah, we told them last week.” I pause, pushing my hair away from my face. Coach Ford isn’t one to really bro down, so this is a surprising conversation to have with him. He tends to be more stoic and the strong but silent type. “Can I ask you something?”
“Absolutely.”
“Was Mia overly emotional? I feel like Lucy’s been crying at the drop of a hat and I don’t know how to make it better for her.”
A rare smile cracks across his face. Mia is his favorite topic, other than his daughters or hockey.
“Oh yes. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Just be there for her and be supportive. Even if she’s upset about something you don’t think is worth being emotional over—make sure she feels seen and heard. ”
Easy enough… I think.
“Thanks, Coach.” I smile at him. “Was there anything else?”
He shakes his head, his gaze growing distant, as if he isn’t truly here with me anymore. “No, that was it. If you or Lucy need anything, I’m here too.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“You guys are going to do great.” He gives me a small smile, grabbing my gloves and handing them to me. “Go hit the shower. You stink.”
Laughing, I take my gloves and tuck them under my arm before grabbing the rest of my stuff and heading back to the locker room. Matty and Shaw are sitting at their stalls by mine. Matty looks over at me as I sit down.
“Everything good?”
“Yeah,” I say dismissively as I start removing my gear. “Coach just wanted to talk about some things.”
Shaw tilts his head, pulling his attention away from his phone. “Personal or hockey?”
Leave it to these two to sniff around for answers. “Personal.”
“What’s going on?” Matty asks without hesitation.
Most of the other guys are either showering or already cleared out. I slowly look around, cataloging who’s here. I don’t know where Cross ran off to and I know I’m supposed to keep this contained, but the secrets are starting to feel as if they’re overflowing.
Keeping the secret of the baby not being mine—done.
Keeping the secret of our relationship being fake—easy.
Those are two secrets I’ll take to the grave. But Lucy being pregnant? They’re all going to find out sooner than later anyways. These guys are my best friends, my family. I can trust them with a secret like this. At least to keep it to themselves until it’s more public knowledge.
I lean closer to them, my voice dropping lower. “You’re sworn to secrecy. Got it?”
“Got it.” Matty nods.
“I’m like a vault,” Shaw adds.
I purse my lips, lifting a brow. Shaw is like a fucking excited puppy dog. He’s been known to be the worst at keeping surprises, but secrets are a different story. “Lucy’s pregnant.”
“What?” Shaw asks.
“Lucy, Lucy?” Matty questions me at the same time with his eyebrows drawing together. “Is it yours?”
“Yes.”
Both of their jaws fall slack. Shaw’s eyes are wide. “What?”
Matty looks like he might punch me in the face. “How did I not know you were sleeping with Lucy?”
Hmm, because I’m not.
“It was a few months ago. We were drunk and it just … happened.” My chest constricts as the lie falls effortlessly from my lips. It’s rehearsed and I hate it. “She only recently found out.”
“Holy shit,” Shaw mutters under his breath.
The muscle in Matty’s jaw tightens. Lucy’s other best friend, Elena, just so happens to be Matty’s younger sister, which makes him naturally protective of Lucy. “Jesus Christ, Simms.”
“I know,” I mumble, shaking my head. “We’re figuring things out.”
Shaw gives me an incredulous look. “Are you two together now?”
“Do Coach and Tucker know?” Matty fires at me.
“Yes and yes.” Who knew this was going to be like a damn interrogation? “We’ve covered all our bases. And yes, we’re together. We’re having a baby; it only makes sense.”
Shaw leans forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “Bro.”
“This is crazy,” Matty says after a moment, a soft chuckle following. “I’m in shock. But I mean, if you and Lucy are together and trying to figure things out, good for you.” He gives me a knowing look. “You’ve been pining for her for years.”
My heart crawls into my throat. Matty and I had a drunken conversation a few years ago and I let it slip about Lucy. I thought he was too drunk to remember any of it.
Shaw clicks his tongue. “This is news to me.”
“None of that’s important.” I rise to my feet, putting my things away. “I wanted you guys to know and you’re sworn to secrecy.”
Shaw zips his lips. “My lips are sealed.”
Matty pushes his hair away from his forehead. “I don’t know if I can keep the secret from Jade.”
My chest heaves with a heavy sigh. I should have known he’d want to tell his girlfriend—not that I have anything against that. I love Jade, she’s great. “Maybe she already knows,” I say, with a shrug. I know the girls have a group chat, so maybe Lucy beat me to it.
“Are you gonna tell Cross?”
I look around the room again. “Where’d he go, anyway?”
Shaw shrugs. “He’s in the film room with Posey. She wanted to talk to him about something she noticed while he was skating or something.”
Hmm. “I’ll text him before I leave.”
“Sounds good,” Matty says, grabbing his stuff. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
Shaw lifts his chin. “Later, Matty.”
I dip my head, giving him one last look before I disappear into the showers. I’m in and out in record time, and the locker room is empty when I grab my belongings. Shaw’s still in the shower and I hear his voice as he sings something I can’t decipher.
As I head down the hall, I pull out my phone to text Cross and see a slew of messages from my brother and father. I quickly text Cross, giving him a run-down of everything I told Matty and Shaw and then open the family group chat.
Dad
Hey Theo. Is there any way we can move lunch to dinner tonight instead? A bride your mother’s working with needs to come into the floral shop tomorrow, so schedules need to be adjusted.
Ryland
What’s she gonna make for dinner?
Dad
Tacos.
Ryland
I can skip practice and come too.
Dad
Shouldn’t you be in class, Ry?
Ryland
I am.
He’s in his freshman year at North Shore U, although he’s only attending classes as a formality. Hockey’s his future. The bullshit business degree he’s getting is just a backup plan.
Dad
You’re not skipping practice. I’ll pack up a doggy bag and drop it off.
Dad
Theo, can you let me know?
Theo
Yeah, I can do that. I’m not sure if Lucy will be able to adjust or not.
Ryland
Hasn’t she found someone else to hang out with instead of you yet?
Theo
Fuck off, Ry.
He’s a thorn in my fucking side sometimes, I swear. I love my little brother, but he’s always been a pain in my ass.
Theo
Dad, I’ll be by later, with or without Lucy.
Dad
Sounds good. I’ll tell your mother.
Ryland
What about me?
Dad
Ryland, pay attention in class. You’re not guaranteed a spot in the league yet. You need a backup plan, because being a delivery driver for your mother’s business is not it.
I stifle a laugh, closing out of the group chat and opening my messaging thread with Lucy.
Theo
Hey. Are you able to have dinner with my parents tonight?
Lucy
I’m so sorry, Theo. Tonight doesn’t work. Tucker’s making me come in to go over some of the different protocols.
Shit. So, I’m facing my parents alone.
Theo
Should I wait to tell them?
Lucy
I don’t want you to wait because of me.
It might be better if you tell them without me. That way there’s no pressure, you know?
I want to ask her what she means, but I don’t. Maybe she’s the one who doesn’t want to feel the pressure. It’s bad enough that we have such an elaborate story we’re selling. Maybe it will be easier if it’s something I handle myself.
Theo
Okay.
Lucy
I’d still like to get together with them. I just can’t tonight.
Theo
No, I get it. We’ll figure out a better time.
Lucy
I’m sorry!
Theo
It’s okay, Freckles.
Do you need anything?
Lucy
Nope
I’m good, but thank you :)
Theo
Happy to serve.
Lucy
One of your many love languages.
Theo
You think I love you, Lucy?
Lucy
We’re best friends, of course you do.
Ah, yes, the best friend clause. My greatest and oldest bluff. The bar is set high for how I manage the baby bluff.
Lucy
The feeling is mutual, though.
Theo
I’ll text you after I leave my parents… if I make it out alive.
Lucy
Godspeed, Simmons.
But also, please make it out alive.
Theo
I’ll try my hardest, but only because you asked.
She sends me three heart emojis and I tuck my phone away, smiling like a fucking idiot.
Goddamn her and the effect she has on me.