What can I say? I’m busted, aren’t I?
“I’ve thought you seemed different lately. If you and Miles are seeing each other, I get it. He needs a woman that’s more like you with Lola and everything going on in his life. Just so you know, she’s talking a lot and better than ever.”
“I know. We have been seeing each other for a bit, but just keeping it between us.”
We’re alone and I feel I can talk to Brynn. Everyone else went to the snack bar after her seeing popcorn made them hungry, even with a big dinner.
“He looks happy. I love that.”
Her smile is everything and I want to tell her about the baby. I’m feeling more pregnant every day now and it’s exhausting hiding it.
“Good. That’s what I want.”
I wonder what Lola has said to anyone else when they return. They share snacks and I take her to the glass to see Miles before the game begins. He touches it with a smile meant for both of us and I can’t help but heat up, feeling so many eyes on us.
I see myself holding a little boy in my mind as Lola dances at my feet and Miles looks on. Suddenly, I want this more than anything. He tells Lola he loves her, but his eyes skim my face before he finishes the words and I see the look there.
As Andrew calls out to Miles, he loses the moment by turning his head. I swallow the lump in my throat and walk back to the seats, sitting beside Lola as I keep seeing his face. Miles loves me. I’ve been crazy about him for a while but didn’t think he’d feel that way.
The next few hours are full of action, and I watch as the teams skate back and forth on the ice, fighting for dominance of the puck. Miles is relentless as he chases people with Andrew, ready for a pass near the other team’s goal, and they score the first one together.
We’re all up in our seats cheering with every other fan in the arena. Lola dances beside me because she’s soaking it all in and I feel dizzy for a second. I sit down, taking a deep breath as my head clears and I reach for my water.
“Are you okay?”
Linda leans over me, looking into my face.
“I just got dizzy. Maybe I stood up too fast in the excitement. I’m fine.”
I sip water and feel it slide down my throat, willing it to make me feel better. This hasn’t been an easy pregnancy but hardly a difficult one. I’ve been keeping up with Lola with naps and it’s been good.
“Do you want to go back to the house?”
Linda presses me, and I frown at her. It doesn’t sound terrible to rest somewhere quiet, but this is Miles’s game. It’s going so well, and I want to see what happens.
“I can take care of Lola just fine.”
I look at Brynn as she speaks up and I sigh.
“We can get a car home and leave the SUV. The game is on TV.”
I really want to see the rest of the game and that makes me feel better. We stand and explain I’m not feeling well and that Linda is going to take me back to the house.
Once we’re in the back of a sedan of some sort, I lean back and close my eyes.
“I feel so bad leaving. That game was incredible.”
“You look so tired, honey. Have you been getting enough sleep?”
I consider how to respond for a moment.
“I try. You know how active Lola is.”
It’s not until we’re settled on the couch in front of the huge TV with tea that Linda turns on the game. The score is tied now, and I lean forward anxiously as Miles heads down the ice with the other team chasing him.
“Come on.”
I yell at the screen as someone tries to check Miles into the boards, watching Linda wince.