Page 44 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

Her head snaps up, a forced smile plastered on her face. “Yeah. Just focused on getting breakfast ready.”

Jamie raises an eyebrow, glancing between the two of us, clearly noticing the tension. But he doesn’t say anything, just moves to the counter, grabbing a coffee mug.

Chapter Seventeen

Savannah

Jamie’s in his Icebreakers jersey, looking like he’s about to head straight to the ice, and Troy is watching him with raised eyebrows. I’m doing my best to stay focused on the stove, but the energy in the room is tense, and I feel it crawling under my skin.

“You said you’ve got something for me?” Troy asks, crossing his arms, eyes narrowed.

Jamie nods, taking a sip of coffee. “Yeah. I talked to Coach Nate. I told him you had a family emergency, so you’re off the hook for practice today.”

Troy’s eyebrows shoot up, then he nods. “Appreciate it, man, really.” He glances back at me, then at Noah, who’s watching everything from his bouncer, bright-eyed and babbling. “Jamie, can we, uh… talk in my room?”

I feel my face go a little warm. Great. They’re probably about to have a full-on “what’s happening here” chat. But I just nod, scooping Noah up from his bouncer. “I’ll keep Noah entertained. Go on.”

Troy nods, looking a bit relieved. He motions for Jamie to follow him, and they disappear down the hallway.

I settle in on the couch with Noah, pulling the bottle out of the warmer and bringing it to his lips. He latches on, taking a few greedy gulps, then scrunches up his face, looking at me with big, curious eyes.

“Oh, Noah, I’ve really been messing things up, haven’t I?” I whisper, cupping his little cheeks. “ The last thing I need is to be fired because I couldn’t keep things professional. I just hope…” I sigh, brushing my thumb over his cheek. “I hope I’m not messing this up, little guy.”

He scrunches his face in response, and I can’t help but laugh. “Look at you, my little lemon,” I coo, leaning in to kiss his forehead. He gives a sleepy yawn, blinking up at me like he’s only half paying attention.

I grab my coffee, sipping it carefully as I keep him nestled close. We stay there, me rocking him gently until I hear footsteps coming back down the hall. Jamie and Troy walk into the room, and I sit up straighter, clutching Noah a little closer.

Jamie walks straight to the counter, grabs a thermos, and starts pouring coffee into it, glancing at Troy. “I’ll head to practice, then pick up the puppy.”

“Oh, right,” Troy mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “I totally forgot about that.”

Jamie gives me a grin that makes my insides turn to jelly. “I’ll bring him by tonight. Troy, you mind if I keep him at my place for a couple days?”

Troy nods. “Actually, that’s probably better. I’ll call you after the hospital visit, okay?”

Jamie nods, and just as he turns to leave, he gives me one last smile. It hits me right in the gut, warm and soft and…something I’m trying very hard not to dwell on.

Once Jamie’s out the door, Troy finally sits at the table, digging into the eggs and bacon I set out earlier. He takes a sip of his coffee, looking up at me over the rim of the cup.

“Savannah,” he says, and there’s a warmth in his voice that catches me off guard. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

I give him a small smile, feeling my chest get a little tight. “Thanks, Troy.”

He reaches his hands out, nodding at Noah. “Here, let me hold him while you get ready to go.”

I hand Noah over, giving him a soft smile before heading to get ready, feeling a strange warmth settling over me, like for once, things just might be okay.

***

The hospital’s buzzing as we step up to the registration desk, Troy holding Noah in one arm and struggling with a pen in the other. He’s staring at the intake form like it’s written in a foreign language.

“Need some help there?” I ask, smirking.

He sighs, shaking his head. “Half of these questions…I don’t even know where to start.”

I lean over, glancing at the form. “All right, well, do you know Noah’s date of birth?”

He stares down at the form, frowning. “Uh…no. Maybe? I saw it on the birth certificate. I should have brought that with me. Fuck!”

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