Page 124 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

I go, but not without turning around to get one last look at Sammy, who waves at me.

Fuck, he’s cute.

Never in a millionfucking years did I expect to find Coach with my son strapped to his chest. Clearly, he found the baby wrap in the diaper bag. It was a hysterical distraction for me and my teammates.

Off the ice, I hit the showers to wash away the sweat,rushing through my routine so I can get back to Sammy quickly. I already miss the little guy.

The guys apparently have the same idea. As fast as I finish up, they’re faster, and I come out of the locker room to find half my team playing with Sammy in the room we watch game tapes in from time to time.

My heart pangs as I watch the interaction. Fuck. I never expected my team to embrace my son as one of their own.

“Our new mascot is pretty cute, don’t you think?” Cree holds Sammy out to me.

I carefully take him and pull him close, dropping a kiss to his head. “He got half his DNA from me. Obviously, he’s going to be cute.”

Sammy snuggles his little face into my neck. That little move makes my chest expand and my heart explode.

It’s crazy to say, but I didn’t know love, not true love, until he came along.

“Are you going to bring him to practice tomorrow?” Justin, our team captain, asks.

I shrug, scanning the room for his carrier. “Depends on whether I’ve found someone to watch him by then.”

When I’ve located the seat, I crouch in front of it and strap him in.

“If you need to bring him to drylands, we can take turns watching him,” Justinvolunteers.

My throat tightens at the offer, and the backs of my eyes prick with emotion.

I didn’t give my teammates enough credit, that’s for fucking sure.

Clearing my throat, I give a gruff “thanks” in response. “I’ve gotta get going. Thanks for looking after him.” I scoop up the diaper bag and position it over my shoulder.

The guys disperse, but Cree lingers. “Can we get coffee or something before you head home? I feel like…” He runs his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, I’ve been a shitty friend this year.”

I grit my teeth and cover Sammy’s ears. “Don’t cuss in front of my kid.”

He winces. “My bad. Sorry.”

“We’ve both been bad friends this year,” I admit. “We’ve had a lot going on.”

He exhales, the breath heavy with tension. “It’s been some kind of senior year, that’s for sure.”

“Coffee sounds good.”

A light flurry of snow is falling outside, so I set the car seat down and dig a knitted hat out of the diaper bag.

Cree chuckles beside me as I adjust the hat on Sammy’s head. “Look at you. You’re a natural.”

My heart pangs at the sentiment, but I breathe through the ache as I drape a blanket over the car seat. “Trust me, I’m not. But I’m all he has.”

Cree turns to face me head-on and frowns. “What do you mean?”

Fuck.

I never filled my friends in on what happened to Danielle.

Picking up the carrier, I nod at the door, and we head out into the cold. “Danielle and her husband were in a nasty car accident.”

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