Page 100 of Pucking the Enemy

“Where’s Hazel?” I asked.

Seb closed the textbook. “Asleep. I tried studying next to her, but she’s something of a violent sleeper right now. She kept kicking me.”

“She has been, hasn’t she? I’ve got several bruises on my ribs from her bony little elbows.” I laughed. “Hopefully it’s the pregnancy, and this isn’t going to be a forever thing.”

Sebastian nodded as I sank onto the sofa, grabbing the remote and flicking through the channels until I landed on a history documentary.

“Before she was pregnant, she’d sleep like the dead,” he said. “There were times I could literally pick her up and move her around, and she wouldn’t even stir. Once, when she was so dead to the world and I was bored, I made a game out of seeing just how many household items I could balance on her before she woke up.”

“How long did she last?”

“I gave up once I realized I could balance an entire saucepan on her forehead, and she wouldn’t even flinch.”

We both laughed and fell into an easy silence, both of us watching the screen.

“Have you thought about how we’re going to deal with games against the Knights and Hawks? News that we’re a pack is going to get out pretty fast, after that little scene we made at Hazel’s shitty engagement party.”

Seb snorted. “I still have no idea who the slimy fuck they tried to marry her off to was.”

“A nobody who she’s never going to see again.”

“Amen. As for the games… I don’t know, honestly.”

I turned to look at him, trying to keep my voice casual. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel pressured into changing his team, but I wanted him to know that the option was there.

“I actually spoke to my coach about it today. He said, if you want to move, there’s a slot open for you on the Knights.”

Seb did a double take, looking back at the textbook before his eyes quickly snapped back to me. “What?”

“I told him everything… that we are part of a pack now, that Hazel is pregnant, and he said if you wanted to join the team, you could. He’s seen you play before and knows you’re good on the ice.”

“But what about classes? The university has to accept me, not just the team.”

“You’re always studying,” I said. “You get decent grades, and I’m sure, with Coach Hicks’ recommendation, we could get you transferred over to Avalon. It’s totally up to you, though. I don’t want you to change anything if you don’t want to. If you want to stay on the Hawks, then we’ll figure it out.”

“You really mean that, don’t you?”

“I do.” I nodded.

Seb laughed, shaking his head. “Thought you were such an asshole. Turns out, you’re the opposite. No wonder Hazel fell in love with you.”

I beamed at him. “What can I say? I’m just an amazing ray of sunshine like that.”

“But what about Hazel? It would be weird if I went to Avalon and she stayed at Hawking.”

“That’s the conversation we really need to have with her. It makes sense for us all to be on the same hockey team, but Hazel is a free agent in that regard and can easily study wherever her heart desires. I’ll admit, I’m just a selfish ass and want her near.”

Seb chuckled. “I feel that.”

“She could easily transfer to Avalon next semester, if that’s what she wants, but I don’t know what her plans are for taking time off after the baby. I’m happy to support her whatever she wants to do. If she wants to take a year off, then go back to school, then that’s what we’ll do. If she wants to go straight back to classes, either in person or online, we’ll make that happen. She’ll be giving birth in May so she’ll have all summer to recover.”

“It’s a conversation we should probably have soon.” Sebastian grimaced. “I’m not sure how much longer her parents will continue paying for her tuition and living expenses, given recent events.”

“Oh no,” I said in my most sarcastic voice, unable to contain my laughter. “Whatever shall we do? I have millionaire parents, Seb. I’m not worried one fucking bit that the social-climbing assholes don’t support us!”

Chapter 35

Hazel

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