Chapter 6
ALLY
“Is she moving?” Ethan asked.
My head darted up from staring at my phone—and the text from Dom.
Dom: How are my favorite girls?
Dom: Shit. Too much?
Dom: Just wanted to check in.
“You’re smiling pretty big over there. Is my favorite niece doing flips?” Ethan asked, drawing my attention to him again.
“Oh, um, just a little flutter.” I took a sip of water and pocketed my phone. I still had no clue how to tell my brother that Dom was the father. And now that we were talking so much more and really getting to know each other, the truth needed to come out. Dom had mentioned wanting to be there when I gave birth. How the hell would I explain that to my family without spilling that he was the father?
I couldn’t. So I had to figure out how and when I was going to spill the news without Ethan freaking out.
And soon, because in less than two weeks, the Stampede was coming to town, and I’d already agreed to see Dom. So before then would be the smart move. Preferably with Penny around and in public, so Ethan didn’t lose his shit.
“How are you feeling?” Penny asked. “Need us to come over and help with anything this weekend?”
I bit back my grin. “Oh, I might have plans this weekend.”
“Really? What day?” Penny asked.
As promised, Darcy had given me a heads-up that the shower was Sunday but reminded me that it was a surprise. At least I’d have a cute outfit and my hair not up in a messy bun that day.
“Darcy wants to get together at some point and I’m hoping to get my bookcases put together Sunday afternoon.” I shrugged and tried not to grin. I couldn’t help teasing her because she loved a well-executed plan as much as I did, and she was probably anxious that I wouldn’t be available.
“Oh, fun. Let me know if you need help,” Penny said.
Ethan quirked a brow at me, and I gave him an innocent look.
“Now, who’s hungry?” Penny gestured toward the table filled with food.
“Are you feeding an army?” I asked.
She looked sheepish. “You know I always go overboard with takeout from Lanzi’s.”
“I’m starved,” Ethan said, wrapping his arm around Penny’s waist and pulling her into his body before he pressed a kiss to her neck.
I loved seeing my brother so happy. He deserved it after everything that had happened with our older brother Darren and his wife—who was also Ethan’s ex—Julie. I’d lost my brother for a handful of years because of that, and I was grateful that he was back home, especially now. My hand immediately went to my belly. Yes, Dom was back in my life, too, but having my big brother around made it even better.
***
“You better act surprised,” Darcy said as we drove to Ethan’s house two days later.
“I promise. I’ll be so surprised,” I said. “Watch.” I gasped, putting my hand to my mouth. “Oh my god, you guys. I had no idea.”
She rolled her eyes. “All right, all right. Don’t need to lay it on too thick.”
I giggled. “It’s going to be fine, Darc. So, what’d you get me?”
She snorted. “Maybe nothing. But speaking of gifts, want to talk about that beautiful arrangement I saw on your counter before you whisked me out of the apartment?” she asked.
I halted. “You cannot bring that up when we get to my brother’s, okay?”
“Wait. Dom sent them? I mean, I guess so, right? Who else would send you flowers?”
“Whoa. Ouch, Darc.”
“You know I didn’t mean it that way. So, he sent you flowers? That’s so sweet. Things are going well with him, then?”
I started to fidget. “I don’t know. I mean, yeah? I guess. Ugh. I have no clue what to do.”
“Why? You’re building a relationship with him that is going to benefit you and your daughter. He seems invested. I know it’s a bit unorthodox how this is all playing out, but that’s what makes it… interesting.”
“I’ve definitely gone so far off my plan that I can’t even see it anymore. His involvement was not on the checklist. I really thought I would just tell him and he would at most offer me money to help out or pretend like he wanted to be there for me without following through.” I’d hated that I’d sold him short, but based on our previous interactions, those choices weren’t too far-fetched. Hell, it’d taken him a week to call me after I’d told him, for fuck’s sake.
“But you guys are still talking, and I think you just have to go with it. See what happens. You have eleven weeks before Baby Girl shows up. And sending you flowers was sweet,” she said.
Warmth spread through my chest. I’d been shocked when they’d been delivered this morning with a simple note.
Ally,
Hope you enjoy a few of your favorites. You are going to be a kick-ass mom and I can’t wait to meet our little girl. Movie night tomorrow?
Dom
He’d included a bag of gourmet buttered popcorn, five boxes of plain MM’s, and a cute onesie that said, “not all math puns are terrible, just sum.” Plus, the softest maternity shirt that had the word “growing” and then an acute angle and the symbol for pi.
Growing a cutie pie.
Dammit. That was adorable and, obviously, custom because I’d never seen it in my search for fun shirts.
“That’s a pretty big smile,” Darcy said as the car came to a stop.
I hadn’t even registered the end of the drive as I thought about the gifts, but we were currently parked in front of Ethan’s house.
“Am I setting us both up for disappointment?” I asked, running my hand over my belly.
Darcy turned to face me and linked her fingers with mine, squeezing. “There’s no way to know for sure, but so far, he’s doing the right things. And he’s not doing them because people are watching how he treats you. No one even knows it’s him. I’d like to believe that means he wants this to work out. Co-parenting, friends, whatever. I don’t think he’s going to walk away as soon as you give birth.”
“Thanks. I want to believe that, too, but it’s better when you say it.”
“And obviously, if he turns out to be a douchebag, we’ll take him out. The boys don’t even have to know,” she added matter-of-factly.
I laughed. “A bit bloodthirsty there.”
“You’re my best friend. You know I’d do anything for you.”
“Me too,” I replied, feeling tears prick the back of my eyes. “Don’t make me cry.”
“Ooh, tears might be a good idea. ‘She’s so surprised that she’s crying.’”
“Very funny.”
“But really. Everything’s going to work out. Have you decided how to tell Ethan yet?”
“Ugh. Now you’re really going to stress me out. No, I haven’t. And yes, I know I need to, especially since Dom’s going to be in town in less than two weeks and wants to see me.”
Darcy patted my hand. “It’ll be fine. But yeah, maybe tell him before the Stampede shows up. I’ll go with you.”
“You’re the best. Now, can we go get some cake and open presents?” I pushed open my door.
“Act surprised,” she admonished.
***
“So, were you really surprised?” Penny asked as we loaded up Ethan’s SUV and Darcy’s car with all the gifts hours later.
“Of course. And it was amazing,” I said, giving her another hug. I couldn’t believe all the love and support that I’d been showered with this afternoon. This little girl was going to be so spoiled. I would forever be grateful to everyone.
“You deserve only the best. I cannot wait to snuggle that baby soon,” Penny said, her smile bright. She and my brother had been married for just a year, and I knew they wanted kids, but Penny said they were just having fun, and when it happened, it happened. I couldn’t wait to have a niece or nephew to spoil.
I really needed to tell him about Dom.
Dom.
He’d checked in with me a few times today to see how I was feeling. Ugh, this situation was weird. I was enjoying getting to know him through our texts and chats, but I still had no clue what was going to happen once this baby got out here.
“You okay?” my mom asked, putting her arm around me as I stood next to Darcy’s car.
“Yep. Just tired,” I said, smiling.
“Totally normal. I swear, I could fall asleep standing up when I was pregnant. At least your father gave great foot massages. Honestly, that’s all I really wanted from him the night we conceived you.”
I gasped. “Oh my god, Mom. Seriously?”
She winked. “It’s the truth. But it turned out wonderful because I got you, and now you’re having my first grandbaby.” She gave me a squeeze and then grabbed another present my dad handed over for her to put in the car.
It was gross and adorable. I wish I had someone to massage my feet right now.
Then my phone pinged.
It was a picture of a bucket of popcorn with plain MM’s in it.
Dom: This isn’t half bad. Let me know when you get home so we can do our movie night.
“That’s a pretty big smile on your face,” my mom said, trying to peer at my phone. “Who’s texting you?”
“Um, oh, no one. Wow, I’m really tired,” I said, faking a yawn.
“Car’s full. We can head back to your place now,” Darcy announced, holding my door open.
We said our goodbyes and Ethan promised to not be far behind with the rest of my loot. Then, we were on our way to my apartment.
“Dom texting again?” she asked.
Heat fluttered in my chest. “That obvious?”
“You smile like that when he messages you.”
I sighed. “Am I making a mistake? I mean, spending all this time talking to him and getting to know him? Darc, I like him.”
She glanced over at me—and at my belly. “Pretty sure you liking him wasn’t in question.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Very funny, Darc. Very funny.”
“Stop freaking out. This is going to be good for you and for your daughter. Just go with it. And if he hurts you? Well, we already know that you’d be a kick-ass single mom.”
I shook my head. “Oh, Darcy.”
She shrugged. “What? No one hurts my bestie.”
I laughed. “I love you.”
“Love you, too. So why did he text you this time?”
“We’re doing another movie night tonight.”
“I love this for you, and I know that everything is going to work out. Dom might’ve been a total player and may have not wanted kids, but he’s stepping up when it matters, and that has to count for something.”
She wasn’t wrong. I just hoped my heart remembered not to get in the way.
DOM
“We have a special guest reading out tonight’s lines,” Millsy said with a grin.
It was our first regular season game tonight. We had another home game in two days and then we were heading on our first road trip, with our first away game being in San Francisco. My gut tightened from the various emotions rolling through me. Ally said we could meet up, but I had no clue how that was going to happen or if Harty and my old teammates would know about my impending fatherhood by the time I got there. She still hadn’t told anyone that I was the father, and I was following her lead on that.
I was already bracing for a gut punch or two from Harty. He was known as one of the nicest guys in the league, but I doubted that meant shit once he found out the truth.
But I shoved that thought aside. Yeah, I was apprehensive about the entire thing, but I couldn’t wait to see Ally. We’d kept up with our texting and video chats and movie nights, and it was all a lot more fun than I’d imagined.
I hadn’t gone into building our friendship just to be a good guy or to do the right thing. I told her I wanted to be invested, and I meant it. That still scared the ever-living shit out of me, but I wasn’t going to walk away from her or our child. Her surprise whenever I brought up something I’d read in one of those baby books still stung. I guess I got it, but I didn’t know what else I could do to convince her that I was all in and meant it.
I got some valuable info from those books, and it was fun to teach her a few random pregnancy facts. I bit back a chuckle, thinking about her face when I told her that babies can taste garlic in the womb if she ate a lot of it. She laughed, saying that she was just preparing our daughter for all the Italian food from Lanzi’s that she would consume over her lifetime.
Which, of course, got me thinking about how hard this was going to be with Ally still in San Francisco. We were making progress with our friendship, but co-parenting would be so much easier if we lived in the same state.
A small voice pulled me out of my head, and I finally noticed who was standing in the middle of the room.
Violet Lafleur, Flower’s daughter. She was decked out in Flower’s jersey while Brooke stood next to her, helping her read the lines.
“First line tonight is Tally, Sin, and Santa,” she said in her adorable voice. Then she turned to face Santa. “Your beard should be white, you know.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that only happens in December.”
Everyone laughed. Santa grinning was still a weird occurrence, but we could thank his girlfriend and baker extraordinaire, Anna, for that. I wondered if I could get a box of Anna’s chocolate peanut butter cookies sent to Ally.
Violet leaned toward him. “I know you’re not really Santa. He’s in the sky making presents.”
“Okay, next line, Violet. These guys have to get on the ice tonight,” Brooke said good-naturedly.
“I know. I’m getting there. Line two is Dom, Haldy, and Xan. You guys don’t have fun names.”
Flower shook his head. “Oh, Violet.”
“Maybe someone less sassy should read the lines,” Brooke said, grinning.
“Nope. It’s my job tonight. Daddy said I could,” Violet stated matter-of-factly.
“Yes, please continue, Violet,” Millsy said, trying to look stern.
Violet read the rest of the lines, but all I could think about was my daughter doing the same one day. Wearing my jersey and reading out the lines or learning to skate with me.
I wanted that. And I wanted them here. I knew Ally would never agree. Her entire life was in San Francisco. But, I wanted her here.
Fucking hell. What was I going to do?
“You okay, man?” Micah muttered next to me.
“What? Yeah. Fine,” I replied, brushing him off. I was in a heightened emotional state and I needed to rein it in, not spill my guts on my friend right before we had to step onto the ice.
He quirked a brow at me, but I turned my attention back to Violet.
“Now, go kick some butt,” she announced.
“Violet,” Brooke admonished, but Flower was just laughing as he walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. His smile lit up the entire room.
I wanted that.
***
Tally lifted his beer a few hours later. “To a great start to the season.”
The guys around me cheered, holding up their drinks to Tally’s toast.
We’d won our home opener two to one, and now we were celebrating at Tipsy. The game had been tight, with Sin and Haldy potting our two goals. I played okay and managed an assist, but I still needed to step it up. I’d ended up in the box for a stupid penalty when we’d been tied late in the third. Thankfully, the guys had kept Toronto from scoring on the penalty kill, but I hadn’t missed Millsy’s narrowed eyes when I did the skate of shame back to the bench after my two minutes were done.
I sipped my beer and scanned my phone, skimming through recent texts from Ally. She’d wished me luck with my game tonight, and I wondered if she’d watched. The Strikers were also playing, and I knew she would watch her brother’s team first, but I couldn’t help but hope she caught some of the highlights of my game, at least. Not that I’d contributed much.
A text popped up, and I bit back a groan.
Messages from my dad were never a good thing, but I tapped on it anyway.
Dad: You looked sloppy tonight. You’re favoring your right hip. You injured?
Dad: Your team isn’t great, but you need to step it up, or a Cup team won’t want you.
I took a longer pull on my beer. His armchair coaching was meant to antagonize and was never valuable, but he still gave it. Two seasons thirty years ago in the NHL, and he thought he was a fucking expert.
Dad: You should’ve spent the entire summer here training with Dirk. He would’ve kept you in fighting shape more than just playing for that beer league.
This time, I barked out a laugh. Calling my summer pro league beer-level was fucking insulting. Top-tier guys played in the group when they were home in Montreal. And Dirk, my dad’s training buddy, was a hack. Not that I ever called my dad out on his bullshit. It just fired him up to be an even bigger asshole, and I didn’t have the energy for that.
I decided to respond later, if at all, and clicked back to the texts from Ally as I nursed my beer. We had another movie night set up for tomorrow. Who would’ve thought that I’d look forward to staying in to watch movies and text or video-chat with Ally?
I preferred video chats so I could look at her. She was so fucking hot and always had been. I could still remember the first time I saw her at Crash and Byrne my rookie year. Her laugh caught my attention, and I was hooked. Harty had put up a roadblock almost immediately, but that hadn’t stopped her from flirting like hell with me. I knew she partly did it to aggravate her brother, but it hadn’t taken long to figure out she was genuinely interested in me as well.
Sometimes, I wondered what would’ve happened if we’d actually tried dating instead of just random hookups, but neither of us had really wanted anything more than just a little fun.
And now we were having a kid. Fuck. It was weird, and I was so damn freaked out, but I was also excited.
Hopefully, I wouldn’t fuck the kid up. At least Ally seemed to have a solid family supporting her.
Not that I’d told my parents about my impending fatherhood. I didn’t need any extra bullshit from them.