Page 31 of Pucks and Likes

We don’t have to be together.

That way, no one gets hurt.

My baby takes that moment to kick me, and I swear, for a fetus, I think they’re very intuitive.

As much as I don’t want them to miss out on a two-parent home, plenty of kids have great parents who aren’t together. Alex’s mom didn’t need his dad. She was both parents, and my parents didn’t even raise me. My sisters did. Shit, there are kids in two-parent homes who aren’t loved at all. No matter what, my baby will be loved.

Hard.

I’m currently using a box of books to hide my stomach as I sit on the floor with Clara and Austen. Louisa had a huge order come in of a kick-ass mafia romance, so we’re helping split up preorders and what is going onto the shelf. Since our little coffee date was cut short yesterday, we decided to do brunch and help Louisa. She made sure to get chicken and waffles from the local café and even has mimosas. Mine is sitting on the counter, and every time I go to “drink” it, I pour a bit of mine in Clara’s. I’ve become a pro at hiding this pregnancy.

Unless Alex Cruz is in the room.

I should have known better; goalies are weird. They tend to keep their eyes wide and trained on everything. They are always a step ahead and very intense. Alex is no exception. He saw right through my façade. Asshole.

Louisa is on the ladder, putting books on the top shelf that Ciaran is passing her. Eliza has disentangled herself from her husband and is now cleaning, while Austen, Clara, and I open boxes. Dimitri is sitting with Coleson in the back part of the store, so it’s only really Ciaran in this room. As much as I wish it were just my sisters and me, I’m getting used to my brothers-in-law-to-be being a constant presence now that they don’t leave my sisters much.

I lick my lips and then reach for my phone. I don’t know why, but I want to make sure it’s okay with Alex before I tell them.

Me: Hey.

He answers right away.

Alex: Hey.

Alex: How are you?

Alex: Are you feeling okay?

I press my lips together, my stomach tightening.

Me: I’m fine, thanks. And yeah, no nausea or anything. I really think it was the lemon.

Alex: Good. Did you sleep well?

Me: Not at all.

Alex: Me either.

My heart hurts at his confession. This isn’t what I wanted.

Me: I’m sorry.

Alex: Yeah, so, I’m about to hit the ice, but I’m free this afternoon. Wanna come to my place? Yours? Or meet somewhere?

I bring my lip in between my teeth.

Me: You can come to my place. Just follow the stairwell up the back.

Alex: Drippy Drip, right?

Me: Yeah.

Alex: Cool. I’ll bring dinner.

Me: You don’t have to.

Alex: I want to.

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