Page 95 of Pucked and Pregnant

Liv nods. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Also,” the doctor says before she leaves the room, “I love your coverage of the games. You’re a natural.”

“Oh, my, thank you!” Liv says to her with a big smile.

“She’s not wrong, you know,” I say to my sister once we’re alone.

“Thanks,” she replies, her voice sounding a little stronger now. “It’s just… I don’t know how I will be able to keep up the momentum of my career now that I’m having twins.” She rubs her belly.

“We’ll figure it out. All of us, together. We’re a team, right? The boys and I will help make it possible for you to still live out your dreams while being an amazing mom.”

She smiles up at me gratefully. “Thank you for being such a great brother,” she tells me.

I smile back. “You make it easy.”

Her expression darkens a little. “Now, I just have to apologize and tell the boys about the baby, uh, babies.”

“Don’t worry about that right now. Just concentrate on feeling better. Want me to check the score?”

“Yes, please.”

I pull out my phone, and we tune in to the game coverage just in time to see Aiden slap in the winning goal at the buzzer. We grin at one another as the crowd goes wild. Within minutes, Travis starts collecting interviews with the team.

“Well, that’s one thing checked off the list,” Liv says, sounding satisfied.

She bites her lip and places her hand on her belly, a pensive look crossing her face. I can only imagine all the worries racing through her mind, one of which being that she may have to sit the big day out.

My heart aches at the thought of having to play in the Stanley Cup Finals without her up in the press box covering the action. We’ve both dreamed of this for most of our lives. We’ve always been a package deal, doing everything together as kids, and she has always loved hockey just as much as me.

It makes me sad to think that the pregnancy could keep her from having her special moment along with me, the team, and the boys.

I sigh as I think about the situation that she’s in with my friends. Knowing that there are two babies on the way, I’m glad that she will have a lot of help and support, but I’m also really worried about the commitment side of it.

I don’t know how I would feel if I was asked to make a foursome work. Would I get jealous? Probably. I don’t know how to imagine a reality where that would make sense for me.

However, I do have to admit that they have always been the best kind of friends that anyone could ask for, and she was never far away from our little gaggle of buddies while we were growing up.

My sister could always hang with the guys, and she clearly knew what she wanted from life at a young age. She always had. If this was what will make her happy now, I will support it.

I still want to clobber them, though, knowing that they had all kept this secret from me. I sigh and smile at Liv.

For now, she’s got enough on her plate without having to worry about me and how I’m feeling. I’m not going to tell her that I will be having a very serious discussion with the guys before things go any further. I’m not above telling them that they can’t date her unless they promise not to hurt her.

We might be all grown-up now, but she’s still my little sister. I have to look out for her and protect her.

I also have to look out for the well-being of the team. I don’t want this pregnancy and the logistics of their relationshipto make it impossible for us to work together. Taking away her chance to cover one of the biggest sports events in the world because we can’t keep our emotions in check would be an insult to injury.

I tell Liv that I’m going to go grab a cup of coffee. Once I’m in the hallway, I text Connor the hospital address, telling him that they can come and visit, but only if they promise to be on their best behavior.

Connor, ever the worrywart, sends me back a series of question marks and nothing else.

I sigh.

Don’t freak out, she’s fine. Just don’t be dicks when you show up, is all.

There’s a brief pause then Connor sends me back a devil emoji. I grumble, but then another text pops through.

We just want to be there for Liv. We won’t be stupid, I promise.

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