Page 92 of Forever Player

“Get out of here,” I say to him, laughing so hard Maylee is bouncing on my boob, not that she seems to mind.

“Sure. Sure.” He struts off and gives his butt a little wiggle before walking into the bathroom. “Your loss,” I hear him say before he closes the door.

I look down at my daughter, not ever remembering smiling this wide in my life.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Willow

Brett left for his pregame warmup in an Uber so I could take his SUV to the game, since it has the car seat base. Now I am driving with Ms. Noble, Henry, Maddie, and Asher to Brett’s game.

“I’m so excited to watch Uncle Brett and Daddy play,” Asher announces.

“It’s a real treat for Grandma too. This is why I need to be living in the city. So we can all be together,” Ms. Noble says.

“Is this your first hockey game?” Maddie asks me.

“No, my brother used to play in the NHL. I used to go out to his games,” I explain.

“You’re used to this crazy world.” Maddie snickers.

“You could say that. I never dated a hockey player before. I kind of swore to myself that I never would.” I laugh.

“Funny how we can make all kinds of plans for ourselves and things never turn out the way you expect,” Ms. Noble states.

“That is very true, but I can’t complain,” Maddie adds.

“Things definitely have a way of working out for the best,” I agree. If I hadn’t had a one-night stand, I wouldn’t have had Maylee or connected with Brett, and they have been the best things to happen to me.

We arrive to the arena. I have Maylee dressed in a one-piece snowsuit and I brought some blankets along so she won’t be cold in the arena. Henry helps me get the stroller out of the trunk and we all head inside.

As we walk in, a small smile tips my lips and my cheeks flush as I remember my little interlude with Brett in his bedroom before he left for the game. He gave me his jersey and asked me to wear it to the game. I agreed but he had other plans, as in he stripped me naked and asked me to put on his jersey so he could fuck me while I was wearing it. We had to make it quick because his family only left our apartment for a short time to go back to their hotel to change and freshen up for the game tonight.

Brett bent me over the bed, smacked my ass hard enough that he said he left his print. Then he checked to see how wet I was and, boy, did he find me dripping for him because something about the way he smacks my ass in such a claiming way makes me all hot and bothered. Then he took me from behind as I leaned over the bed. He wasn’t gentle either as he plowed into me while tweaking my breasts and rubbing my clit. I was a goner in only a few minutes, screaming out in pure ecstasy. It’s crazy to think I had such a hard time achieving an orgasm before him when he delivers them so easily.

“Are you excited for the game?” Asher asks me, pulling me from my thoughts.

I swallow and lick my lips. “Huh, oh yes, very excited.”

We enter the arena early. It’s only family here now while the team warms up. We head down the steps close to the bench, and Brett skates over to us. He leans in and kisses my lips and he says hi to everyone. Kaleb comes over to say hi too.

“Hi, baby girl. Do you want to come meet the boys?” Brett asks Maylee.

“You want to take her on the ice?” I ask nervously.

“Willow, skating is pretty much like walking for me,” he reminds.

“Okay, yeah, sure.” I pass Maylee to him, and he takes hold of her, turning her so she is facing everyone. He holds her against his chest and skates away to show her off to his buddies. Watching the interaction is completely adorable. Brett is a proud father, and it shows. The guys come up to her and smile. Some of them shake her hand.

“I’ve never seen my son this happy before,” Ms. Noble says, coming up behind me.

I turn to look at her.

“He was always the responsible one. Taking care of Maddie and Henry. But he was always so serious. So focused on doing well in hockey. I worried about him being alone. I’m so happy he has you and Maylee,” she says, and she leans in, giving me a side hug.

“We’re lucky too,” I reply to her. When I say words like that, they shock the hell out of me. I’m terrified about what this relationship means. I’m fearful of us hating each other one day. But when I stop thinking of all the negative possibilities, and just live in the moment, I am happy and grateful for this man, who is turning out to be the best surprise of my life. Brett’s mom is right. He’s responsible and caring. He stepped up to be a dad without thinking twice.

She blinks and we both watch in awe as Brett skates around the rink with Maylee, showing her off to his friends.

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