Page 68 of Pucks and Likes

I see the instant she notices me.

Her brows draw together tightly as confusion pulls her mouth down from the big smile to a frown. At that moment, I wish I were surrounded by bubble wrap to protect me from whatever is coming. Alex is oblivious as he shuts the car door and wraps his arm around my middle, splaying his hand across my stomach.

This man has no self-preservation, I swear.

When I look up at him, though, all I see is pride.

Hell, if it doesn’t stir something deep inside me.

And just like that, I fall a little bit more for him.

His eyes flash down to me, that grin unstoppable, and my heart can’t take it. I almost tell him. I almost whisper those words, but before I can, his mom calls out in Spanish, “My fat boy, you didn’t tell me you were bringing someone home.” Alex just chuckles, and I don’t miss the moment she sees my stomach. Her eyes widen even more before she looks up at her son in disbelief. “Alejandro Benito, what in the world?”

My body stiffens as I lean into Alex for support. He tightens his grip on me, but that grin doesn’t waver. “Mom, this is my future wife, Elliot Bea McDavid. And right here,” he says, rubbing my belly, “is your grandson, no name yet. We want to meet him first, but I’m leaning toward Alejandro Benito Cruz Jr.”

If I weren’t so riddled with anxiety, I would laugh. I told him I wasn’t a fan of the junior thing, but I don’t know another name that would fit a child of his.

His mom looks me over and blinks as Alex goes on. “Mami, this is my mom, Gladys.”

I swallow as I force myself to smile. “It’s so wonderful to meet you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “I know this is a lot to take in at once, and I truly apologize from the bottom of my heart that you weren’t told earlier. He was insistent that you meet me first before he told you.”

Her eyes move to Alex’s, and I can’t read her. I don’t know if she’s pissed or excited or a bit of both. Her eyes hold her son’s. “No warning?” she asks in Spanish. “You told me you weren’t seeing anyone. Who is she? Where did she come from? And how far along is she?”

Alex isn’t affected by her line of questioning. “How about we head in?—”

I cut him off, and, in Spanish, I answer her back. “I am sorry again. We were dating last year for a bit, and then he went off to play for the Assassins. I found out I was pregnant on Christmas Day, and I couldn’t bring myself to distract him while he was with the Assassins. He was doing so well, and I didn’t want him to come back to me just because I was pregnant. We weren’t… Well, I wasn’t serious about him, but when he came back to Knoxville, he didn’t give me much of a choice. And everything changed.” Tears spill over, trailing along my cheeks, and Alex cuddles me closer. “I deceived him. I lied to him and hid the pregnancy for six months, and somehow he has forgiven me?—”

“Elliot,” he says quietly, but I shake my head, pressing my hand to his chest.

“Please.”

His eyes search mine, and I know that he wants me to shut up, that I’m digging my own grave. But I need to get this out. He nods, and I look back at his stunned mom’s face.

“I never meant to hurt him. Time got away from me, and I was too scared to tell him. I didn’t want him to want me only because of the baby. You raised a stand-up guy, a good man, and I didn’t want him to be stuck with me because of our child. It’s been so complicated and overwhelming, but he doesn’t let up. I know this isn’t how you wanted to find out or meet me, but I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove I’m more than the choices I’ve made.”

Her eyes cut to Alex’s before coming back to me. And, of course, I don’t know when to shut up.

“I swear I didn’t trap him.”

Alex chuckles beside me. “Jesus Christ, are you done?”

I glance up at him, and his eyes sparkle with love. “Yes.”

“Good,” he says, kissing my lips softly. He pulls back, and when he looks at his mom, I do the same. She’s watching us, her face still unmoving in the way I’ve seen Alex’s freeze when he’s on the ice.

A flutter starts in my chest, and she looks me over. Her eyes move down my body, pausing at my stomach before looking at Alex. “Are you not feeding her? She’s skinny.”

Alex grins. “I think she was born that way, because I feed her all the time.”

I giggle. “He does.”

She nods. “Are you hungry?”

I wasn’t prepared for that question. “Yes.”

“Then come on. I’ll put some weight on you, and I need time to get to know my new daughter before everyone shows up.”

My jaw actually falls open as she takes my hand in hers, squeezing it. I see so much kindness and eagerness in her gaze as she stares at me. My tears fall faster, and she reaches up, wiping them away like I’m just a normal girl, not the hussy who got knocked up by her son and hid it from him. “Come now, sweet girl. No crying. You’re safe with me. He loves you, I love you.”

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