Page 93 of Pucked and Pregnant

Connor frowns as we skate away from one another. Time to go back to supporting the team and chasing glory.

Dimitri blocks a pass and diverts the puck to me which I then slap over to Aiden. We bring the puck across the ice rapidly, communicating like a well-oiled machine. By the time I shoot the puck into the net, I’m zoned back in, cool and collected, ready to finish stomping all over our competition.

I hear the roar of the crowd and look up to see people waving team jerseys over their heads and jumping up and down. Their excitement causes a smile to break out over my face as I high-five my friends and pump my fists in the air.

Olivia’s commentary rings out through the rink as she praises our quick reflexes, wordless communication, and talent.

I glance up to see that she and Travis are on the jumbotron above. She looks a little tired, but otherwise, she’s doing great, reeling off facts and figures, and bantering with Travis perfectly.

I start to look away when I hear a loud gasp ripple across the stands. I skate to a stop and look up at the jumbotron. Olivia has vanished from sight and Travis is staring downward, a look of disgust on his face. Her mic is still on, and I can hear her assistant asking if she’s okay and if she can hear her.

I skate over to the corner of the rink where she was standing and realize that she’s now lying on the ground. Travis is just staring at her, unmoving. As I watch, Olivia starts to stir and begins speaking to her assistant.

“I think I’m okay but I really should go to the hospital. I’m pregnant and I want someone to check on the baby.”

Her voice rings out through the arena louder than normal due to the worried hush that’s fallen over the crowd. I cringe as I realize that there is no way that anyone missed what she just said.

Connor skates over to me, a worried frown on his face. “Pregnant? Did you know about this?”

I open my mouth and shut it, not sure what to say.

“Pregnant? She’s pregnant?” Dimitri says as he skates up and slides to a sharp stop.

“Max, did you know about this?” Aiden asks, echoing Connor’s question as he joins us.

I keep opening my mouth and then shutting it. Anything I say will feel like a betrayal to them and telling them anything at all without speaking with my sister first will be a betrayal to her. I feel trapped, not sure what the right answer is.

Dimitri glares at me for a moment then says, “He knew. Dammit. Why didn’t you tell us?”

I hold up my hands. “She asked me not to say anything until after the game. She didn’t want to distract you guys. Besides, you assholes didn’t tell me that you were all in a relationship or whatever it is. You can’t be mad at me for this.”

We all scowl at one another for a moment then Aiden grabs my arm. “They’re taking her away on a stretcher. Do you want to go with her?”

I nod and skate away toward the boards to talk to Coach.

“Go with her,” he tells me before I even have to ask, moving out of my way so I can step off the ice.

“Thanks,” I say, a small part of my heart aching at the thought of missing the rest of the game, the other part focused on getting to my sister.

When I stumble up the stairs, still in my skates, I find that they are loading Liv into an ambulance. I quickly yank off my skates and hurry over to talk to her.

“Stay and finish the game,” she says to me as they lift her into the ambulance.

“I want to go with you.” I look at the paramedics and they nod, moving over so I can get into the ambulance with her. I take her hand and squeeze it, noticing her pallor. She gives me a thin smile then closes her eyes.

“I think I might throw up.”

“Here you go, hon,” the female paramedic says, passing her an emesis bag which she clutches like her life depends on it.

“You really shouldn’t have pushed so hard,” I tell her as I sit down.

“I know, but I really needed to cover this game. It’s such a big opportunity for me to shine. I guess I fucked it all up, though.”

I open my mouth to reply but the paramedic beats me to it. “Oh, hell no, honey,” she says as the ambulance turns onto the main road and picks up speed. “I’ve been watching your coverage all afternoon. You are amazing. That Travis guy is just getting in your way.”

Liv coughs out a chuckle, but there’s a twinkle in her eye now. “You really think so? I was so lightheaded I wasn’t sure what I was doing half the time.”

“She’s right, you were amazing,” I tell her, giving her hand another squeeze. The smile slips from my face as I say, “Obviously the boys know now.”

---