Page 32 of The Sweetest Chirp

There will be an us.

And I’ll show her that I’ll never break her again.

I truly didn’t mean to the first time, but that makes me even a bigger idiot than I already assume I am. What did I think saying that shit to her would do? Especially after we’d had such an incredible night. I had convinced myself she was mine, and I was ready to show her how I could be as her boyfriend. Instead, I showed her how awfully jealous I can get and how I hadn’t let go of the fact that she’d slept with Dart.

I knew he didn’t mean anything to her, just as she didn’t mean anything to him. He’s moved on, married, and so blissfully happy. Tennessee and Dart have a little boy, Neyland, and she’s pregnant with their second. Audrina and Dart weren’t meant to be anything but a hookup, and while I might sound a little too cocky, Audrina and I are made for life.

I just have to remind her of that. I have to show her how good we are together. Show her I can love her in ways no one else can. All while being a great dad and an amazing hockey player.

No big deal.

For as long as I’ve known Audrina, she has always been right by my side. Her leaving made me realize I took that for granted, along with her loyalty and her love. I’ll never do that again.

I will earn her back, no matter what.

When I feel a tug at my slacks, a Walmart special, I glance down to see my little girl at my knee. She looks up at me with her wide, doe eyes full of excitement and love. I can’t wait for our parents to meet her, for Ingrid to get her hands on her. Arwen is going to be so overwhelmed with love. She will probably forget who I am once she has her Babas and Dedes. I’ll be old news. So, I soak up all the love in her eyes as I bend down to make our eyes level. She’s practically vibrating with excitement as she signs,Do I really get to see Baba and Dede?

Yes, and Ingrid.

She squeals, jazz hands flying as she bounces.Will I have a room?

Her question catches me off guard. Audrina and I haven’t discussed where they’ll live. Both our parents live on rather large estates, right next to each other, about an hour from the rink. We could stay with either since there is no way I can bring them back to Audrina’s and my old place. Telly lives there now, in a room that would be Arwen’s. So, will Audrina stay with her parents and I stay with mine? Shit, we really need to discuss this. Maybe I can convince her to move in with me, and I’ll kick Telly out.

Do you want one?I sign, hoping to buy myself some time to figure out how to answer her.

Yes. I want a big room like Bluey.

That damn show. It’s all she watches and wears, apparently. Not going to lie, though, that little blue dog is a hoot. AndBandit, the dad? Yeah, he’s my idol.Then you’ll have it,malyshonuk.

Her brows pull in, and she mimics my sign formalyshonuk.I don’t know that word.

I smile widely at her before leaning in to kiss her forehead. While I know she doesn’t have her ears and she doesn’t read lips yet, I still speak as I sign to maybe help with the reading of lips. That’s how we did it with Ingrid. “It means ‘my little baby.’”

Her eyes light up.I’m your baby.

My one and only. My forever.

She preens for me, and I grin, chucking her chin.Go pack, so we can leave. We are going to go see a new doctor about your ears.

She gives me the sign for okay before heading to throw more toys into the box. I’m standing up when Audrina comes in with more boxes from downstairs. She’s wearing a little black jumpsuit that looks trendy and flowy on her body. She has on a long-sleeved white top underneath, her hair curled to perfection down over her shoulders. She only put on a bit of makeup, thankfully not enough to hide her freckles. She looks a little frazzled, overwhelmed, and I know I probably look the same. We had our virtual appointment this morning, and Arwen’s last name is now Orlov. Eli is on his way to get the birth certificate and other paperwork taken care of since we need to get on the road to get to South Carolina. He costs a fortune, but he’s worth every penny, just for his connections.

It’s a lot, but I know it’s going to be worth it. As I watch Audrina’s teeth come out to press into the cushion of her bottom lip, I want so badly to replace her teeth with mine. To suck her lip between mine and then kiss her until I’m drunk on everything that is Audrina. I want to drown myself in her body, feeling her skin against mine, and never let go. It’s so hard to bein a room with her and not touch her. I want her, but she’s not ready.

Hell, neither am I.

One touch is all I’ll need to ignore every wall she’s thrown up and devour her.

While it’s a great idea in theory, I’m pretty sure she’ll kick my ass.

She must feel me staring because she looks up, and I quickly look away, clearing my throat. “Hey. So, how invested are you in that car?”

“I’m not. Why?”

“I rented us a car with a trailer for the ride home,” I tell her, looking over to watch her load up her desk supplies. “I hope you’re good with that.”

She shrugs. “It’s fine. I’m not sure my car could pull a trailer.”

Or make it to South Carolina, not that I say that. “Yeah. And also, do you want to get a hotel tonight?”

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