Page 159 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

She’s wearing a jersey over a blue hoodie, all of it three sizes too big on her…but that doesn’t stop my eyes from trailing downward, to her stomach.

It’s instinctive, automatic, like my brain is trying to catch up with the reality of what’s happening. There’s no bump yet—of course, there isn’t—but knowing what’s coming… it’s enough to send another shock wave through my chest.

My kid is in there.

My kid.

Holy shit.

Austin peeks through her fingers, catching the direction of my gaze. Her embarrassed laughter softens, her hands falling to her sides.

“What?” she asks, her voice quieter now, uncertain.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, shaking my head and meeting her eyes again. “Just a lot to take in.”

Her lips curve into a small, understanding smile. “Tell me about it.”

Yeah—I’m sure she was as surprised as I am.

Maybe even more so.

The crowd is still buzzing around us, voices blending into a dull roar, but I don’t hear them anymore. All I can focus on is her—on the way her hands fidget with the hem of her hoodie, on the way she’s looking at me like she’s waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It doesn’t.

I step closer, leaning down until our foreheads almost touch.

“We’ve got this,” I tell her, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling around us. “Okay?”

Her eyes search mine, and after a moment, she nods. “Okay.”

My hands move to her face and I cup her chin, tilting it up.

Press my lips against her lips…

Her hands grip the front of my jersey, holding me close as if the world might pull us apart. Her lips are soft and warm, and for a moment, everything—every doubt, every fear—melts away. It’s just her, just me, and the quiet promise in this kiss.

When I finally pull back, her eyes flutter open, her cheeks flushed and her breath shaky. “What was that for?” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the distant murmur of the crowd.

I grin, my forehead still resting against hers. “For being amazing,” I say. “And for being brave enough to do this tonight.” In this way.

Seriously.

Wow.

She has serious lady balls.

Behind us, Nova claps loudly, breaking the moment. “Finally!” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I was starting to think you’d never kiss her.”

I ignore my sister.

Roll my eyes, stepping back just enough to lace my fingers with Austin’s. “You ready to get out of here?”

“Yes,” she says, exasperated but smiling now. “Please.”

I slide my arm around her waist, and before she can utter a single word of protest, I sweep her off her feet—literally. In full hockey gear, skates scraping against the concrete, I lift her like she weighs nothing, cradling her against my chest.

Austin lets out a startled squeak, her hands flying to grip my shoulders as I hold her securely.

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