Chapter 24
I filled my next week and a half with creating a huge list of things I had to accomplish, and each time I started overthinking myself into an anxious mess, I dove straight into the list. Between Mer giving me hand-me-downs and Piper forcing me to go shopping with her and then demanding to pay for everything, I was in decent shape for the baby.
As for the job front, apparently Kappy was acting as the Coliseum’s interim rink manager, and I had an interview set up with him for next week.
On Wednesday afternoon, everyone was out of the house, and I finally let myself rest, which turned out to be a terrible idea. Nervous thoughts about tomorrow’s doctor’s appointment bombarded my brain.
In an effort to comfort myself, I shot off a text to JP confirming again that he’d pick me up in the morning from Colt and Mer’s house because I still didn’t have my own car.
A minute later, my phone dinged with an incoming text, but it wasn’t from JP.
An unknown number with a Michigan area code sent: Whatcha up to, blondie? I was instantly reminded of the young rookie from the family room. He confirmed it a second later with a double-text that read: Btw this is Niko.
I typed back: Honestly?
His reply was immediate: Of course
I responded: I’m kind of freaking out because I have my first appointment for the baby in the morning.
His next reply came quickly: Freaking out as in overthinking?
Yupp, I confirmed. I had no reason to sugarcoat things with him. I wasn’t trying to impress him at all. I strictly felt little brother vibes toward him.
Ah perfect, he typed.
I stared at his response in confusion.
Then my phone dinged again: I can help with that. You’re staying at Colt’s?
I looked around Colt and Mer’s quiet living room.
On one hand, I desperately wanted to get out of the house to stop worrying.
On the other, I didn’t want to go on an actual date with Niko and give him the wrong idea.
I didn’t want to go on a date with anyone…
except maybe JP, but I needed to push that desire way, way down.
Another text came in, pulling my eyes back to my phone: Don’t worry so much. C’mon, let’s just chat and have some fun. It’ll take your mind off things, Niko implored.
I smirked down at my phone. There was something disarming about him, and I liked that he didn’t make me feel anxious or threatened.
Besides, if I found myself in a bad situation, I knew I’d have three guys willing to show up for me—something that made my heart swell in my chest. I typed back: How do you know I’m worried?
His response was immediate: I can tell. But at least now you’re worried about me instead of the baby, right?! So c’mon, let’s hang out tonight.
I chewed on my lip before typing: Okay, but this isn’t a date, right?
Ya nah, just hanging out, he replied.
That text finally pushed me over the edge, but that meant I had to get dressed.
Dashing back up to my designated bedroom, I tore through my suitcase. I basically only owned leggings and sports tops. I had one pair of jeans, but those were uncomfortably tight now. My only choice was a black spaghetti-strap dress that I usually wore when going out with friends on cruise stops.
“Shit,” I mumbled after pulling it on. This dress was usually loose and comfy, but it was now stretching at the seams. To make matters worse, I had to put some tights underneath for warmth or else I’d look like an idiot going out bare-legged in the freezing cold night.
I hated wearing anything tight on my stomach and being pregnant made that feeling so much worse, but it was predicted to snow tonight, so I had no choice.
Taking stock of my shoe options, I shot off a text to Mer asking if I could borrow some black boots.
About two minutes after smoothing my short hair into a slicked-back half pony and swiping on some mascara, a fancy sports car’s engine roared in the driveway.
_________
I could hear whispers and stares from people as I followed Niko into a swanky bar in downtown Chicago.
For a guy who’d just gotten to the NHL, he definitely had more facial recognition than our boys.
Then again, Niko was younger and had a huge social media following.
On top of the usual hockey player charisma, Niko’s sarcastic comments to reporters, raspy voice, and flowy brown hair gave him even more popularity.
As soon as we were seated at a high-top table, his phone started buzzing incessantly.
“Sorry,” he apologized with an eyeroll, then he flagged the waiter over. “We’ll have two waters, a coke, and…” He eyed me, questioning if I wanted anything else.
“I’ll take a sprite,” I added with a smile of thanks.
“And she’s allergic to nuts, got it?” Niko added in a stern voice, making me freeze on the spot.
The young waiter nodded diligently before speeding away.
“How did you know that?” I demanded. My brain worked overtime, trying to figure out if I put myself in a bad position. Then again, if he tried anything weird, it’d be splashed all over the news—something neither of us wanted.
He held up his hands with a laugh. “I’m not a creep, I promise.”
I arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to explain.
“JP’s blowing up my fucking phone,” he complained. “Here.” He pushed his open phone in front of me to see.
He was right. There were about ten texts in a row all from JP:
I know you’ve racked up speeding tickets.
You better not speed with Ali in the car.
You have to tell the waiter she’s allergic to nuts.
I’m serious.
Ali doesn't tell people.
If she has a reaction, I’m holding you responsible.
This is serious. I’m not playing around.
Answer me, asshole
She trips a lot.
If you let her fall, you’ll be fucking sorry.
I gasped. “I do not trip a lot!” I pushed his phone back.
Niko’s face lit up with a laugh. “It’s okay if you do, I will catch you.”
“And I’ve lived with this allergy my whole life, I think I can handle a night out.” I shook my head. “How did he even find out I’m with you?”
He shrugged. “Zukes or Nilsson must’ve let something slip. I don’t know why he’s so worried, I’m a good guy.” He grinned, making a dimple pop out.
His confidence made me laugh. “I can tell.”
“Thank you,” he blurted out.
“But I can also tell you’re a bit of a troublemaker.” I arched an amused eyebrow.
“Wow.” His hand went to his chest. “Shots fired.”
As we talked about growing up, I couldn’t help but feel like I was talking to an old friend. The rink world was a small one, so I knew a lot of the people and places he was talking about, which made telling stories more fun.
“Is your family still in Michigan?” he asked.
I nodded. “My parents are still in Canton, but my sister is currently training in Montreal.”
“I feel that. Most of my fam’s back in Ann Arbor, but one sister is playing hockey out in Seattle.”
“Hmm.” I studied him. “You’re a little brother, aren’t you?”
A quick laugh flew out of him. “How could you tell?”
I shrugged. “You give off little brother vibes.”
“Hopefully not to you.” He winked.
I bit my lip.
“Oh nooo.” He clutched his chest and made a show of feeling distressed.
“Oh, come on. You knew this wasn’t a date,” I pushed, laughing at his theatrics. “I’m too old for you anyway.”
“No way, age is just a number.” He sat back and studied me for a beat. “But I had a feeling.” He gave an over-the-top sigh and shook his head. “You're JP’s girl, aren’t ya? When the tenth text came in, I kinda figured.”
I let out an amused huff and fiddled with my straw wrapper on the table. “I don't know about that. He’s just kind of…”
“An asshole?” he deadpanned.
“No.” I laughed. “He’s nice. He’s actually one of the best guys I know.” I smiled thinking about him. I nodded to his phone. “We’re just friends. He’s just worried about me because I’m pregnant with our baby.”
His eyes darted around my face, trying to read me. “You really believe that?”
I shrunk back a little and felt my face blush.
“I’m not actually sure.” JP was a protector through and through, but would he be this protective of me if I wasn’t pregnant with our baby?
Probably not, a voice in the back of my head whispered.
It’s not like he even checked in on me after leaving the cruise back in July.
“For what it’s worth, I don’t believe that for a second,” Niko announced, making my cheeks heat up even more. “Well,” he blew out an exaggerated sigh, “since you’re not into me, maybe you could help me out and give me some dating pointers?”
A laugh flew out of me. “Sure.”
“This does kinda suck for me though. You’re exactly the kind of girl my oldest sister said to go for. I think the two of you would be besties.”
“Me and your sister?” I asked curiously.
“Oh yeah.” He took a long sip of his pop. “I can sense it. She’s a mom, too.”
“Oh.” My hand automatically went to my stomach.
He studied me carefully. “She left a bad situation, and now she and her baby are the happiest family around.”
“She’s doing it on her own?” I asked slowly.
“Yupp, and they’re good.” His face brightened as he talked about his nephew learning to walk and trying new foods. He laid his hand on top of mine, making me flinch slightly. His eyes danced over my face, like he was trying to piece things together. “You have nothing to worry about, Ali.”
“I’m not worried.” The lie automatically flew out of my mouth.
“Good.” He gave me a genuine smile and patted my hand. “And even if things don’t work out with McDick, who cares.” He stretched back, giving me a grin. “There are more guys out here who’d love to be with you. Me included.”
I rolled my eyes, but gave him a look of thanks.
“And you’ve got my number, make sure you use it. You can always call me for help, okay? Even if it’s just to move heavy furniture or have some company,” he said as he signed the check. “I’d hope someone would be there for my sisters like that too, ya know?”