Page 74 of Hat Trick Daddies

For now, all I can do is hope that Ally’s okay and that Monday will bring some answers.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Ally

The familiar scentof my dad’s house wraps around me like a warm hug.

I sink into the plush couch, curling up under one of the blankets Mom made years ago. The TV hums softly, a nature documentary playing as Dad sits beside me, his reading glasses perched on his nose.

“You’ve been quiet, kiddo,” he says, glancing at me over the top of his glasses.

I manage a small smile, leaning my head against his sturdy shoulder. “I just missed you, Dad. That’s all.”

He presses a kiss to the top of my head, the bristles of his mustache tickling my scalp. “I missed you too, sweetheart. You’re always welcome here.”

The comfort of being here takes me back to when I was a little girl. Sitting on this very couch, eating bowls of popcorn and watching nature specials with him while he pointed out the coolest parts.

I feel a pang of guilt as I hide the real reason I’m here, but I just can’t bring myself to tell him yet.

I try to focus on the TV, but my stomach churns ominously. I haven’t felt right since this morning, and the nausea is creeping up fast.

“Hey, you okay?” Dad asks, his eyes narrowing.

“I’m fine,” I lie, but as soon as the words leave my mouth, I bolt off the couch and head straight for the bathroom.

The nausea hits hard, and I barely make it to the toilet before I’m losing my breakfast. The harsh sound of retching fills the small space, and I hear Dad’s footsteps thudding behind me.

He kneels beside me, his large hand rubbing circles on my back and his other hand holding my hair away from my face. “Easy, kiddo. Let it out,” he says gently.

Tears spring to my eyes as the sickness finally subsides, and I collapse back onto the cool tile floor. Dad’s face is etched with worry as he crouches beside me. “What’s wrong? Talk to me, Ally.”

I shake my head, tears spilling over. “Dad, I…I’m pregnant,” I choke out.

Dad freezes for a moment, his hand still on my back. I don’t dare look at him, ashamed and scared of what he might say. But when he speaks, his voice is soft and steady. “Okay. That’s big news, Ally. How are you feeling about it?”

I glance at him, my lip trembling. “I don’t even know whose it is. I’ve…I’ve been seeing someone, but it’s…complicated.”

He nods, his eyes full of understanding. “Listen to me, Ally. No matter what, this baby is going to have the best grandpa ever. And I’m going to be here for you every step of the way. Got it?”

The tears fall faster now, but they’re mixed with relief. I throw my arms around his neck, holding him tightly. “Thank you, Dad. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” he murmurs, patting my back. “Now, let’s get you settled on the couch. You need to rest.”

We make our way back to the living room, and I curl up under the blanket again.

Dad brings me a glass of water and sits beside me, his arm draped protectively over my shoulders. Together, we turn the game on, the familiar sound of skates slicing across the ice filling the room.

For the first time all day, I feel a little bit of peace.

An hour passes, the first hockey game of the season providing a much-needed distraction.

Just as I start to feel like I can breathe again, my phone buzzes loudly on the coffee table. I grab it, seeing Nick’s name flashing on the screen.

“Nick? What’s going on?” I answer, my heart already racing.

His voice is frantic, words spilling out too fast. “Ally, Brooks got hurt in practice today. It was bad. They had to take him to the ER. Where are you?”

My stomach drops, and the room spins. “The ER? What happened? Is he okay?”

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