Chapter 44
DARCY
My brother might be one of the most recognized NHL players right now, but that’s nothing compared to Archer Moore’s fame.
Wherever he goes, the press follows. I think there comes a point where a player can be bigger than the sport they actually play, and in my husband’s case, I’m pretty certain that’s true.
How our relationship hasn’t been fully leaked to the media, I’ll never know. We haven’t been completely discreet since Jack and Jon found out, but we have kept a relatively low profile, I guess.
Until tonight.
“Are you nervous?” Kendra taps me on the shoulder.
“Yes—no—maybe,” I say on a shrug. “Okay, I’m definitely shitting it a little bit.”
Kendra throws her head back and laughs. I know on the other side of the exit doors to the players’ parking lot, there are cameras and reporters waiting to catch a glimpse of us.
When Archer pulled off his helmet and blew a kiss to the family box, it ignited what were already low-grade rumors that he was seeing someone.
And since things are starting to improve with my brother—thank Christ—we figured it was time to address those rumors.
Kendra reaches out, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “It will go a bit wild initially, especially since you’re Jack’s sister, but then it’ll die down.” She kisses the side of my head. “Jesus, you smell good.”
I flick my hair back and smile. “The latest Chanel. I’m not sure if I like it as much as last season’s fragrance, but it’s got that citrus undertone, you know?”
“Hey, Darcy Doll.” Archer’s breath hits the side of my cheek as he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger and turns my face toward him.
He looks delicious in a dark blue suit and a white shirt, open at the collar, his platinum chain shining against his freshly showered skin.
His eyes drop to the baby-blue jumper dress I’m wearing. “Are you showing off our baby, Darcy?”
“I am,” I reply, feeling my cheeks flush hot.
He brushes his lips over mine, smiling into me. “Lesson four in Archer Moore: I’ve been desperate to do this since I first laid eyes on you.”
“What?”
“This. No more hiding in parks, movie theaters, or at home.” Interlacing our fingers, he holds his wash bag in the other hand and guides me down the hallway toward the exit.
When he reaches the doors, he pauses for a second, offering me a cheeky wink before he pushes out into the evening, and immediately, a few cameras begin flashing, multiple reporters asking questions.
There aren’t many since security only allows a certain number outside, and they can’t reach us behind the fences, but still, they’re rowdy and desperate for information.
I know they’re here because it’s Archer, but when a reporter asks about my baby bump, I stop and turn toward him.
“Archer, is this your new girlfriend? There have been whispers circulating for some time now that you’re dating …” another reporter asks as his eyes drop to my stomach.
I smooth a palm over my bump, and Archer steps toward the reporter, my hand still in his as he squeezes it tightly.
“The whispers are true,” Archer confirms, picking our joined hands up and kissing across my knuckles. “As some of you may already know, this is Darcy—sister of Jack Morgan, stepdaughter of my coach, and as of very recently, my wife and the mother of my unborn child.”
A flurry of conversation breaks out among the reporters as more cameras flash. Archer doesn’t flinch at the attention, and I can’t say it makes me feel uncomfortable. I’ve seen enough attention paid to Jack to know what I’m walking into.
“How many weeks are you, Darcy?” another male reporter shouts up.
Archer goes to respond, but then stops himself, allowing me to answer.
“A little over fifteen weeks.” I smile when Archer cups the side of my face, bringing his lips down to mine.
“You two look very in love,” a female fan croons as Archer steps forward to sign autographs.
“Darcy is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to know she’s really mine,” he replies. The sincerity and awe in his voice as he turns to look at me sends my head spinning out.
“Thanks for showing up tonight. I’m happy we got the win and another shutout against Philly.” Finishing up on a Blades cap, he hands it back to the female fan, along with a pen, and then retakes my hand as we walk toward his car and head for our usual postgame meetup at Lloyd’s Bar.
“Where’s Emma?” I ask with excitement as we step into the private area, still hand in hand.
We’re way later than expected since Archer wouldn’t let me leave his car, my sore lips evidence of his reluctance. I’m desperate to meet his sister, even if it’s only briefly as she passes through town.
He points in front of him toward a dark-haired beauty talking with Jenna, Collins, and Kendra. “That’s Emma.”
“Oh Jesus.” I stop dead in my tracks. “She’s stunning. Like, mega stunning.”
Archer low chuckles. “She has her brother’s genes. What did you expect?”
I roll my eyes at him. “I don’t know. Maybe a little more humility.”
He full-on cackles as he wraps an arm around my shoulders and leads me over to Emma. We didn’t meet at the game since she was seated rink side with a couple of friends, but now that I’ve got my chance, my inner social butterfly is ready to take full advantage.
Archer ruffles a hand through his baby sister’s hair, pulling her attention toward us. “Ems, how’s it going?”
She spins around. Piercing blue eyes, just like Archer’s, capture my attention, along with high cheekbones and a huge smile that reminds me of Julia.
“Hey!” she squeaks, throwing her arms around Archer’s neck. “I thought you weren’t coming; you took so long to get here. Either that or you were both mauled by the media.” She winces. “I saw the photos and footage; they were like savages.”
I look up at my husband as he flushes at the memories of the dirty things he just did to me in his car. We both know the media isn’t the real reason we’re late.
“We got a little sidetracked.” He motions to me. “This is Darcy, but I guess you already worked that one out.”
It’s like she’s met me a hundred times before when Emma pulls me into her arms. “Now that I’ve forgiven Archer for not inviting me to your wedding, I’m delighted to meet you, Darcy.”
Her eyes drop to my stomach, and she gasps. She’s already aware I’m pregnant, but I guess seeing it in the flesh hits differently.
“Can I?” she requests, her palm hovering over my bump.
“Sure.” I giggle as she wastes no time at all.
“Oh my God, have you felt her kick yet?” Emma asks as Archer steps away from us to order drinks.
Collins, Kendra, and Jenna all gather around me, each taking a turn to caress my bump.
“Not yet,” I reply. “But we’re hoping to soon. They say it can happen anytime after sixteen weeks.”
Emma nods softly. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch sooner. I don’t really have an excuse other than I’m one of those crazy people who travels the world, and, yeah … I kind of needed to decompress from family stuff after my mom and dad divorced.”
“Ugh, parental divorce,” Jenna drawls. “I hear you, girl. No matter how old you are, that shit gets to you.”
I nod immediately, shrugging my jacket off and hooking it over my bag. “My parents divorced when I was a teenager. Then our family got separated across different continents.”
Emma tips her head to the side, studying me. “Other than your sexy British accent, I can see why my brother and mom love you so much. You’ve got that …” she clicks her fingers, reminding me so much of Archer with her confident actions.
“Je ne sais quoi?” Collins adds, making us all laugh.
“I think it’s your big eyes,” Emma muses. “You remind me of a—”
“Doll?” Archer finishes for her, passing me the mocktail version of a cosmo.
I take a sip and close my eyes.
“Pretending it’s alcoholic?” Jenna asks.
I nod once, eyes still closed. “If I try hard enough, I swear I can taste the Cointreau.”
“Only six and a half months to go, and you’ll be able to taste it for real.” Kendra picks up her soda and takes a sip. “Maybe we can mourn the loss together until then.”
Every single head whips her way.
“Wait,” Jenna announces. “Are you …”
To my disappointment, Kendra shakes her head.
“No. Although we’ve removed the goalie, if you catch my drift.
” She winks, and Archer kisses me on top of the head, moving across the room to join the boys.
“We figured now was as good of a time as any to start trying. If we have a baby, then I’ll still be young enough to get back into shape and pick up my career from there. ”
I nod along with Collins but see the discomfort as it flashes, very briefly, in Jenna’s eyes.
I can sense she feels like she’s being left behind, and that breaks my heart for her.
I’ve always known she’s kind and caring and deserving of love, but that night she stayed in my apartment meant the world to me.
She’s the type of girl who loves her friends fiercely but quietly, not looking for recognition.
“When do you head back home to Philadelphia?” I ask Emma.
She shrugs a shoulder. “I’m not sure, probably in the next couple of days. Right now, I’m between jobs and crashing at a friend’s place while in New York. I went to college with her, and she’s a big Blades fan.”
“All right, ladies.”
I force back an eye roll as Tommy Schneider approaches our group, setting his empty pint glass down on a table next to him before turning to us.
The last time I saw him was after a game in the players’ private bar, and I avoided talking to him. This is the first time I’ve met him face-to-face, and already, he’s every bit the asshole Archer and Jack described him as.
With his messy brown hair and even darker brown eyes, I can’t deny he’s hot. The smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose are a complete contrast to the tattoos that cover both arms and hands, all the way to the tips of his fingers.
I look around our silent group and catch sight of Jenna as she averts her eyes from him, taking a sip of her beer.
Tommy must notice her reaction as he smirks and studies her, running his tongue along his bottom lip.
“Hello there, Jenna.” Tommy cuts through the awkward tension, scratching at the side of his jaw.
She lifts her head to look at him, complete disdain all over her face. “Hi.”
Clearly unaffected by her clipped response—if anything, only encouraged—Tommy reaches forward and takes the glass from her hand, sniffing the contents.
Jenna freezes in place, jaw agape at his audacity. We’re all in shock as he brings the glass to his lips and takes a large pull.
“What kind of woman drinks beer—and an IPA at that?” he teases, laughing to himself as he does it.
Jenna just shrugs, snatching the glass back and downing the rest before setting it on the bar beside her.
It’s like none of us are here as they both pin each other with glares.
“I’m sorry?” She raises a single brow. “Did I pass out and miss the part where I was supposed to give a fuck about what you thought?”
Collins snorts at the kind of comeback she’d make.
Tommy doesn’t react at all, continuing to smile at Jenna. “I bet you impress all the guys with an attitude like that.”
“Was this your attempt to woo me, or can I save my applause for later?” Jenna volleys back.
I cast a quick glance at Emma to check she’s okay, but she only looks amused at the back-and-forth between them.
“Ooookay …” Kendra cuts through the tension, flicking her hair over her shoulder. “Now that we’ve established long-lasting friendships, I’m going to take a seat in the booth.”
Collins and Jenna nod in agreement as all three step out of the circle, and Tommy steps up to the bar, leaving me and Emma alone. I exhale a slow breath.
“He’s a bit of a dick, isn’t he?” she whispers, thumbing over her shoulder toward Tommy.
“Yep. I give him a season, maybe two at best,” I reply, taking another sip of my mocktail.
She twizzles a piece of long, dark hair around her finger, observing the boys as they laugh and joke about their league domination.
“He’s happy, really happy. I can’t remember the last time my brother was this genuinely light. For most of his life, it’s felt like an act—fun-loving Archer, always the guy to crack jokes and never takes life too seriously.”
“He’s not always been happy?” I ask, that thought settling heavily in my stomach.
She shakes her head. “No, Archer’s always been happy.
I just got the feeling that he wanted more beyond hockey and playing around with other women, even if he never admitted that himself.
I can sort of relate to that because I haven’t found my person either.
Sometimes, I thought it might be the arguments and unhappy marriage between my mom and dad that bled into our adulthood, holding us back from believing in a happy ending. ”
“But you don’t believe that now?”
Emma’s eyes move back to mine. “No.” She smiles.
“I simply think he hadn’t found the one woman who could bring him to his knees and make him want to settle down.
And that gives me hope, you know? Hope that I can find my person one day too.
I’ve always looked up to my brother; with his career and success, he set the bar for me to want more out of life. ”
She steps forward and wraps me in a hug. “Now, I’m thinking all I want is the kind of love you both share.”