Page 48 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

I groan, my hand working faster, until finally, I’m lost in it, everything else slipping away.

When it’s over, I lean against the wall, catching my breath.

This girl’s got me twisted up, that’s for sure. And the worst part? I think she’s got Jamie hooked, too.

But for the first time, the thought of sharing doesn’t sit right with me. Savannah makes me want to be selfish.

Chapter Nineteen

Troy

Savannah’s settled on the couch, Noah nestled comfortably in her arms. I grab the remote, flicking on one of our games from last season. She glances up, curious.

“So…how does this work exactly?” she asks, eyes shifting between me and the screen. “All I see is a bunch of guys skating around like madmen and slamming into each other.”

I grin, sitting down beside her, close enough that I can see the blush creep onto her cheeks. “It’s all about the plays, Savannah. Trust me, there’s more strategy here than it looks like there is on the surface.”

She nods slowly, and I can see she’s trying to follow, even though her face tells me she’s a little lost. “All right, coach, walk me through it.”

I point to the screen. “See the guy there? That’s Finn, number fourteen, our center. He’s trying to get the puck up to Declan, number seven. They’re co-captains, and Declan’s one hell of a defenseman.”

She squints, following my finger. “And what’s the guy doing now? That…ah! Someone’s going down!”

“That’s Axel, center and bruiser, number twenty-seven. Not exactly gentle, but hey, he’s effective.” I chuckle, then glance over at the screen again. “Yeah, it looks rough, but we’re careful.”

She raises an eyebrow, looking dubious. “Right. I bet you just get up and brush it off every time.”

I shrug, giving her a smirk. “Pretty much. You’d be surprised what we can shake off.”

Noah makes a soft sound, and she adjusts him, her smile gentle. “I don’t know, Troy. Looks intense. But…I can see why you love it.”

I pause, watching her for a moment, feeling a strange warmth settle within me. She really is something. Shaking that thought off, I lean back. “Hey, how about I order dinner?”

She tilts her head, looking amused. “Uh…I’m the chef, remember?”

“Yeah, and tonight, you’re the babysitter.” I grin. “Come on, what do you feel like?”

She laughs, rolling her eyes. “Fine, fine. Surprise me.”

I pull out my phone and place an order for Thai, figuring it’s something she’ll enjoy, and while I’m at it, I mention that Jamie’s coming by for breakfast. I don’t miss the way her cheeks go pink at that, and I raise an eyebrow.

“What’s going on there?”

“With you and Jamie?”

She looks away, focusing a little too intently on Noah. “Nothing. Just…Jamie’s nice.”

“Right,” I say, grinning a little. There’s more to that story, but I let it go—for now.

Dinner arrives, and we dig in while I keep explaining plays, talking her through our strategies. She listens, even asking questions every now and then. And for once, things feel…easy. Comfortable.

I glance over at her halfway through the game, only to find her head leaned back against the couch, her eyes closed, lips parted slightly. She’s out, and Noah’s dozing peacefully in her arms.

What Coach said earlier about Savannah helping me with Noah…it sticks with me. She’s been running herself ragged, helping out day and night without a single complaint. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have her here.

Careful not to wake her, I ease Noah out of her arms, carrying him to the crib in the corner. I grab the baby monitor she bought, just in case, and place it near him. The kid’s sleeping soundly, oblivious to all the changes around him.

I go back to the couch and watch Savannah for a moment. She looks peaceful, her cheeks soft and flushed, lips slightly parted as she breathes evenly. It’s strange—having her here, seeing her like this…it makes the place feel warmer, less like an empty apartment, and more like a home.

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