Chapter 49
Avery’s been napping for the past hour, and when I said I wasn’t going to leave her, I meant it.
Which is why she’s sound asleep on my lap while I play cards on my phone and listen to my new audiobook.
The main character just bonded with the most dangerous direwolf when an incoming call disrupts one of the best parts of the book.
My sister’s name pops up on my phone, but instead of answering it, I type out a message.
In the middle of something. Can I call you back?
Charlie
Are you in the middle of trying to locate Roger Park? Because if you’re not, you should be.
What the fuck?
Charlie sends the link to another article, and I sit up straighter as soon as I read the title.
OFF THE MARKET! Star Green Bay Defenseman Connor Smith is MARRIED!
Below the awful title is an article written by the world’s worst reporter claiming that a reliable source told him that Avery and I are married.
It goes on to explain that this information makes the pregnancy assumptions look more and more believable.
I scoff and shake my head as I continue reading.
My source claims that Avery Chamberlin has a history of taking advantage of men and marrying them for their money.
Hopefully Smith smartens up or at least has an airtight prenuptial agreement in place.
With a baby on the way, who knows if he’ll end up like his own father and split when times get tough. Stay tuned!
“Motherfucker.”
Avery stirs against me, and I try to rein it in but it’s no use. My heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear my audiobook when it begins playing again. Scrambling to pause it, I set my phone down and raise my arms over my head.
Closing my eyes, I repeat what my therapist used to always tell me: You are not your father. You’re a good man who loves his family.
I feel Avery’s hands against my cheek and open my eyes.
“Connor, what’s wrong? You’re shaking.”
As soon as the questions out of her mouth, her phone begins buzzing on the nightstand next to us. She reaches over and grabs it, her eyes bulging when she sees the screen.
“I have a bunch of texts from the girls and two missed calls from my parents. What the hell is going on?”
I gently push her phone away from her face before grabbing it and setting it down on the nightstand again. It starts buzzing again, but I stop her when she goes to reach for it.
“There’s another article.”
Panic covers every inch of her face and she sits up, leaning over me for her phone again. “Avery, don’t read it. Someone told that Roger douchebag that we’re married. Then he goes on to insult the both of us. Please, spare yourself. It’s not worth it, baby.”
Her hand flies to her mouth. “Oh my god. My parents must’ve seen it. That’s why they keep calling me.” She reaches for her phone and this time I let her grab it. Avery holds it up in front of me and I see the word “Mom” flash across her screen.
Avery’s shoulders move up and down with how hard she’s breathing now. Cupping her face, I turn her head to me. “Breathe. It’s going to be okay. We can talk to them together.”
She throws her phone at the pillow beside me and jolts out of bed. Her legs start moving before I can even comprehend what’s going on. She paces my room back and forth until I stand in front of her, causing her to stop.
My hands find her arms and she looks up at me. “Avery, we’ll just explain everything. They’ll understand.” She squeezes her eyes shut and when she finally opens them, they start darting from the phone back to my face. “What’s going on, Aves? What aren’t you telling me?”
Finally, her gaze lands on mine and holds. “They have no idea I didn’t have health insurance and couldn’t pay for the tests. I didn’t tell them anything about my financial issues.”
My eyebrows scrunch as I try to understand.
I don’t want to make her feel any worse than she clearly already is, but it doesn’t make any sense.
Avery’s parents are the complete opposite of mine.
They would do anything for her. As a matter of fact, they did everything to ensure her dreams came true, including working overtime and seven days a week at times.
Avery must see the confusion on my face because she moves toward the bed to sit and pulls me down with her. She turns her body toward me, folding her hands in front of her.
“I never told them because I didn’t want them to worry.
You know how hard they worked to pay for my prep school.
Hockey is one of the most expensive sports there is and when you add in a private prep school, it nearly put them into bankruptcy.
My mom still works full time as a teacher and at the winery on the weekends.
My dad works himself to the damn bone, taking construction jobs out of state for weeks on end.
They’re still trying to pay off all the debt from me playing, and I can’t even fucking play anymore. It was all for nothing.”
She shakes her head and releases a bitter laugh. “You know they would’ve found a way to pay for all those tests. I refuse to let anyone pay my way, but especially them. I should not be their burden anymore.”
It’s funny how different our lives are from each other.
She doesn’t want her parents to sacrifice anything more for her, and my parents don’t even know the definition of the word.
I’ve always been jealous of that part of her life, but hearing her say all of this definitely gives me another perspective.
I just hate how much guilt and blame she’s putting on herself.
What they did for her could never be a waste.
I place my hand over hers. “Aves, you may not want to hear this but you should know, what your parents did is what any good parent would do. They love you unconditionally, and no matter what, they were going to do whatever it took to make your dreams come true. I’d bet a million dollars they wouldn’t have regretted a single thing, even if you didn’t get a scholarship or play college hockey.
And it wasn’t all for nothing. Your playing experience and knowledge of the game is what makes you one of the best play-by-play commentators in the country.
It may not have been your dream back then, but I guaran-fucking-tee they’ve never been so proud of you. ”
Avery’s phone starts buzzing on the pillow behind me and her eyes shoot to the spot. I give her hand a little squeeze.
“You need to tell them, Aves. I know you don’t want them to worry, but that’s what parents do.
Well, it’s what parents should do.” Avery’s eyes fill with sympathy but I push past it, not wanting to dive into my own shit.
“Besides, we have a game plan in place, so that should ease their minds a little bit. We can explain it to them together.”
The phone stops vibrating, and she exhales an exhausted breath.
“I think this is something I need to do on my own.”
I nod because I completely understand where she’s coming from. She’s always had an amazing relationship with her parents, so wanting to speak with them alone doesn’t surprise me. When I go to stand, her hand shoots out to stop me.
“But could you stay in here with me while I talk to them? With you by my side, I feel like I can conquer anything.”
I didn’t think it was possible to love this woman any more than I already do, but she continues to prove me wrong. She has no fucking idea how true those words are for me too. Lowering myself back down onto the bed I give her a smile.
“Of course, baby. Whatever you need.”
Avery leans over and gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “Thanks.”
She’s gone before I can pull her back into me to extend the moment. She crawls to where her phone lies on my bed, and I reach over to grab mine as well.
The news of our marriage is spreading and my phone is going crazy with notifications. Most of them can wait because my girl is my priority, but I open the group text with the guys and immediately start chuckling to myself.
Jefferson
I know Roger Park is a fucking idiot, but I need to know if there’s any truth to his new article.
Mack Attack
What new article? Oh god, Connor is going to murder this guy. We should start looking for places to hide the body.
Jefferson
*sends screenshot of article*
Mack Attack
HOLY FUCK C-MONEY ARE YOU MARRIED?
Jefferson
*sends zoomed in picture of me and Avery leaving hospital*
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that not a ring on that left hand?
Mack Attack
OH MY GOD! Why the fuck weren’t we invited? This is bullshit.
Niko
Gee, I wonder why.
Jefferson
YOU KNEW?
Mack Attack
YOU KNEW?
I scroll past the remaining messages because it’s just the two stooges freaking out about a wedding that didn’t even happen and why they weren’t groomsmen. Niko has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations yet, so I put him out of his misery so they can stop asking him.
Yes, we’re married. No, Niko was not there. Now leave me the fuck alone. I’m with my wife.
Jefferson
Holy Shit.
Mack Attack
He just called her his wife.
Jefferson
Wait, so is she actually pregnant then too?
That’s none of your goddamn business. But no, she’s not. So don’t be spreading any other fucking rumors or I will end you.
Mack Attack
Yeah, Kyle. Stop gossiping.
Jefferson
Zip it, Aidan! Or I’ll tell them about your little crush.
Mack Attack
You wouldn’t dare.
This conversation is getting out of control, as always, so I type out one more text just to pour a little gasoline on the fire before I disappear.
We all know you’re obsessed with Sloane. Pretty sure she knows, too.
I put my phone on silent and set it on the nightstand. When I look up, I see Avery’s thumb hovering over her mom’s contact.
“You got this, baby. I’m right here if you need me.”
My words appear to do the trick because the next thing I know, her mom and dad’s faces fill her phone screen, and her mom is the first one to speak.
“Why, hello, Mrs. Smith.”