Page 138 of Play the Game

My dad pipes in again. “A photographer? Maybe she can photoshop us into your wedding photos since you didn’t think to invite the family.”

For fuck’s sake.

“We will have another wedding with all of our friends and family. How's that, Dad?”

He thinks I’m being a sarcastic ass, but the thought of having a real wedding with Scottie walking down the aisle is too inviting of an idea. We will need a honeymoon too—wherever she wants to go.

Knowing Scottie, it’ll be somewhere simple.

Which is fine with me.

“We gotta go,” Rhodes interjects. He gives a clipped goodbye to my parents and rushes off.

“That one isn’t much of a talker, huh?” My dad notes, staring after my captain.

“No.” I shake my head. “But you should meet his daughter. She’s the complete opposite.”

My mom moves in for a hug, and I wrap my arms around her comforting frame. When she pulls back, she has a little glint to her eye. “Do you think you and Scottie will have kids?”

She’ll definitely carry my baby one day.

The thought stuns me.

I have never felt more sure about something in my entire life.

Thinking about Scottie carrying my child in her stomach? That’s a high I didn’t know I could reach. I hadn’t even thought about children. Before Scottie, I hadn’t even thought about marriage.

“Oh, will you stop it? You did the same thing to Taytum and Ford the other day, and you freaked them out too.”

My mom slaps my dad’s chest lightly. “Correction. I freaked Tay out. Not Ford. He was elated by the idea.”

I think to myself while my parents argue over Taytum and Ford. I now understand what my best friend was feeling when he decided to pursue my sister behind my back. He told me he couldn’t help it, and now it all makes sense.

After hugging my dad, I say goodbye to my parents and tell my mom I’ll call her when I figure out a good time for them to come visit again. The only reason they came to the game this evening was because it was only a few hours from home. Otherwise, they catch me on TV and call it a night.

Once I’m settled on the bus, I pull open my phone and text Scottie.

Do you want kids one day?

It feels like hours before she texts back, but it’s only been a minute, if that.

That’s what you text me after you just played an absolutely amazing game? Is that what you were thinking about when blocking those pucks?

I’m always thinking about you. Now answer my question.

I’m trying to decide which answer will freak you out less.

The truth. Always the truth.

A text bubble pops up while she types, and I block the conversations of my teammates out as I wait nervously. If Scottie doesn’t want children, then that’s okay. Understandable, even. She’s been taking care of her brother for most of her life, drowning in stress, and there’s a lot of trauma lingering from her own mother. Scottie would be the most amazing mom in the world. I’ve quietly watched her with Ellie and Nola, and I’d love nothing more than to watch her with our child. But again, if she doesn’t want a child of her own, then that’s okay. I’m still flabbergasted that she confided in me, but there’s a sense of pride there too. I want to be there for her, and I’m so fucking proud that she purposefully let herself become vulnerable in front of me.

I do want a child one day. Only one.

My tight stomach loosens, and I blow out a heavy breath. I didn’t realize how nervous I was while waiting for her to respond to me. That was worse than asking her if she’d be my fake wife.

Do you want children?

With you? Yes. I’d love nothing more than to see you carry my baby.

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