Page 77 of Pucking Secret

“They’re discharging your grandmother today,” she says. “They want to move her to a rehab center for a bit, but she’s being.. .fussy about it.”

“Fussy?” I echo, my eyes going wide.

Mom nods. “She needs this, Stacey, no matter how much she protests and insists on going straight back to the assisted living place instead. Maybe if Millie visits her, it’ll help lift her spirits.”

“Of course,” I agree without hesitation. “Millie will love that. She’s been missing Gram.”

I haven’t had the heart to take her to the hospital. I don’t want her to see Gram hooked up to all those machines and looking so sickly.

Mom exhales sharply and looks down, fiddling with the strap of her bag. She looks nervous all of the sudden.

“Stacey… listen, I know I’m difficult. I know we don’t always see eye-to-eye.”

“That’s an understatement,” I mutter under my breath. What’s her point? I can’t help but be suspicious. She’s not one to admit to ever being in the wrong.

She ignores the comment and looks back at me, her gaze serious. “I want you to know, I do care. I hope you’re right about Owen. I really do. Because if you’re not...”

Her voice trails off, but I know what she’s about to say.

“I know,” I say quietly. “Millie could get hurt.”

Mom nods. “When you were with Owen in high school, I had a bad feeling about it. About him. I couldn’t explain it then, and I can’t explain it now, but that feeling hasn’t gone away.”

I press my lips together, a mix of frustration and unease bubbling inside me. “He’s not the same person, Mom. Neither am I.”

She shakes her head, looking disappointed. “I hope that’s enough.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: NASHVILLE

OWEN

I’m feeling pumpedfor the game, but it’s not out of sheer love for the sport. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Stacey and Millie, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so thoroughly happy. Seriously, I feel almost invincible, like nothing can hurt me or get in the way of the things I want. I’m lacing up my skates in the locker room, and I can’t keep the smile off my face. The guys are giving me side-eyes, a couple of them smirking like they know something’s up, but no one says anything yet. Not until Carson strolls over and plants himself on the bench next to me. He looks me up and down.

"Alright, spill it," Carson says, nudging my shoulder. "What’s got you grinning like you just won the Cup?"

Jensen perks up from across the room. "Yeah, you’ve been walking around here like you’re on cloud nine. What gives?"

Zander, Jacye, and Wilder all turn to gaze at me as well, clearly eager to hear what I have to say.

“Do you guys really have nothing better to do than wonder about me?” I laugh. “Shouldn’t you all be focusing on the game?”

“Oh, shut up and tell us what’s going on,” Zander insists.

I hesitate. Revealing aspects of my personal life is not something I’m used to doing. Having spent so much time in the spotlight, I’m always careful to keep my private life private. I hardly opened up to anyone on my old team… but these guys are different. These guys are actually my friends, and deep down, I want to tell them what’s happened because I want to have people I care about share in my happiness. They won’t use it against me.

“Alright,” I say, sitting back. “I do have something pretty exciting to share.”

Carson grins, intrigued. Jensen just leans against the wall, arms crossed, waiting. Zander, Jayce, and Wilder all move closer, surrounding me.

I take a breath. “So, I don’t know if you guys remember me saying that Stacey and I were a thing back in high school?”

“Did you?” Wilder says.

“Damn, a hottie like her went for a guy like you?” Jayce grins.

“Why? Are you a thing again or something?” Zander asks.

“Well, you could say that,” I continue. “And I found out this weekend that I’m a dad. Turns out, Millie’s my daughter.”

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