Page 35 of Puck Princess

I can’t wait to meet the little person floating around inside me.

On the way to the arena, I stop at the Humble Cup. It’s a cute coffee shop with cottage vibes that I sussed out my first week on the job. I came for the convenient location, but I stay for their heavenly orange scones.

“Callie!” Elise beams from behind the counter as I walk in. “I haven’t seen you in forever! Where have you be—Oh.”

Her eyes are locked on my stomach, and I just smile. Elise is the owner and a mother to six kids. While it’s usually not smart to assume someone is pregnant, Elise justknows.

“I am,” I answer. “Fifteen weeks.”

Her mouth opens with a delighted smile. “Damn girl, you lookgood.I forgot that the first baby doesn’t ransack your body like the fourth or fifth.”

“Or seventh.” Jaque, her husband, appears from the back room. He kisses her temple as he passes.

“Seven? Wait, are you…?”

“I haven’t taken a test yet but… yeah, I’m pretty sure I am.”

“Wow.” I really am happy for her, but… seven kids? I can’t even wrap my head around it.

“We know, we know.” Jaque wraps his arms around Elise from behind. “We don’t know when to quit. But we’re only two away from being able to start a baseball team!”

“You already have enough for a hockey team,” I point out.

He gasps like this is a great idea. “True.”

I take my coffee and a fresh scone, which they insisted should be free as an early baby shower gift, and head to work.

The moment I walk through the arena doors, I feel eyes on me. But they’re kind and happy to see me. Everyone waves and says good morning. I might be enjoying the attention just a tiny bit because I take another lap around the arena to catch even more of the staff as they trickle in for the day.

Finally, I go to my office and unpack my things. I arrange my medical texts on the shelves and restock my drawers with my favorite supplies before the interns steal all of the good ice packs. Then I move to the training room. I hang up my sweater on the hook behind the door and claim one of the only massage tables that doesn’t squeak. I’m so in my own world, I don’t even see the guys standing off to the side.

“Well, look who decided to finally show up for work today.”

I jump, turning around. “Jesus, Lance.”

He chuckles and gives me a quick side hug. “Sorry.”

Dax pushes into the room behind him. “That said, youarekinda late. So, tell us the truth, because we don’t believe a word Owen says. Did you guys keep each other up all night?”

“It’s the woman’s first day back on the job, Dax. We’re trying to keep things above board.” Lance shakes his head, shooting me an apologetic cringe on Dax’s behalf.

I don’t really mind. Dax was never the problem; Miles was. And now that he’s gone, I’m feeling great.

“If Owen told you that we went our separate ways last night so we could actually get some sleep… he’s right.”

“Damn.” Dax shakes his head. “No wonder the paparazzi are bored. Y’all might as well put rings on it.”

“Or,” I counter, “even if we had been up to no good last night, I wouldn’t spill a single detail of it to you. That’s none of your business, and I am a professional, thank you very much.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute.”

Another voice slithers out from the corner of the room, but this one sends ice through my veins and stops me dead.

Spencer.

He’s standing next to the weight bench, his eyes holding me hostage from across the room.

How many times have we been in this same position before? How many times did I let him bat those annoyingly long lashes and scramble my insides?

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