Page 34 of Falling for You

“Good job, buddy,” I hear Taylor say as I leave my bedroom. I twiddle with my fingers, unsure what to do, as I see him leaning against the counter separating the kitchen and living area, gently rubbing Hudson’s back and as if feeling me he looks up, and our eyes connect.

He gives me a gentle smile and asks, “Better?”

I nod once, walk over to him, and go to take our son. Reluctantly, he hands Hudson to me, and I smile at the beautiful boy.

“Thank you,” I say, looking back at Taylor, and he grins at me.

“Of course… I, uh, I threw away the first pouch of milk; it tasted sour but so did the second so I guess that’s just the taste of the one you’re using,” he says as he gently cups Hudson’s head and my eyes widen in shock.

“You tasted it?” I ask, and he hums in confirmation. I can’t help it, laughter bubbles up, making him look at me with a raised brow.

I try to hide my grin and clear my throat, then shock him by saying, “It tasted sour because it was breast milk.”

His mouth drops open, and his eyes go to my breasts, then our son, then back to me. I grin wide but look at him with shock when he asks, “Do I still get them even if they’re full of milk?”

My mouth drops open, and he gives me a cheeky grin.

Damn, man has rendered me speechless.

I shake my head and walk over to the couch, taking a seat before moving Hudson so he’s lying in my arms. Taylor follows and sits next to me, and I sigh.

“I think we should stay um, uh friends…” I start, but he chuckles, making me glare at him, but he doesn’t shy away. Instead, he gently tucks my wet hair behind my ear and says, “With our connection, we can’t be just friends, and you can’t sit there and tell me you don’t still feel it.”

I bite my bottom lip, and he gently pulls it with his thumb.

“Get to know me,” he says, and my eyes race between his. “Date me, let me get to know you while I get to know our son. All I’m asking for is a chance. I can guarantee the chemistry we feel will only blossom,” he tilts his head, “It’s been nearly a year, Firecracker, and I’ve been trying my hardest to find you. Surely that means something. Please, just give me a chance, give us a chance before you write us off because I promise, you’ll regret it if you don’t. You’ll always wonder, what if?”

He gently cups our son’s head again and whispers, “We’re meant to be, and all I’m asking for is for you to try.”

“And what about Hudson?” I ask, “You’re a hockey player, time is limited, and I’m a nurse and due to return to work soon. He has to come first, not your one-night stand.”

He cuts me off again and says, “I’ll make time. You’re working, and when I’m in town, I’ll have him; we have an away game, and it’s close, and you’re not working, then I’ll have you in a family box. We’ll make it work Pen,” his eyes race between mine, “You know it was more than just a one-night stand. You can’t sit there and tell me you wanted to leave that morning. Just get to know me, please.”

He seems so sincere, but I don’t know if I can do it. He looks like such a great guy, but he barely knows me and I only know what the news anchors say about him.

Hasn’t he been with other people since our night together, and shouldn’t Hudson come before everything, including me?

Chapter 14

Taylor – A Week Later

I check my phone as I climb off my bike but curse when I don’t see any message from Penelope. Instead, several from Elena demanding a meeting, apologizing, begging for her job back, and begging me to speak to Coach.

Ever since she got fired, not just by me but by the team for what she did, especially when more players came out and expressed what she’d been like with them, she’s been blowing up my phone, but I’ve ignored every call, my main focus right now, Penelope.

I’ll sort that bitch out once I have Penelope in my arms again.

After I basically begged Pen to give me a chance, she told me she’d think about it and contact me. That was a fucking week ago. I haven’t seen her or Hudson because I’ve been at away games which we won three out of four, but I haven’t heard fromher after I gave her my correct number – poor Kaylah mixed up the last number with an eight instead of a three – and it’s pissing me off.

For months I tried to find her, and when we finally came face to face with a baby to fucking boot, she wanted nothing thing to do with me. I couldn’t cope with it, which is also why we lost the fourth game.

Like an idiot, I checked my phone before going in, Tony had messaged, letting me know that Pen hasn’t contacted her sister either. I may have gotten into a fight, allowing one of the Panther players to get in my head. I ended up in the sin bin when we were tied, and I still haven’t forgiven myself. I mean, we are a shoo-in to win the cup again, but it isn’t the fucking point, anything can change and that one loss is not okay.

Groaning, I climb the stairs to my parents’ home with anticipation. Mom is going to flip, and so are Hannah and Kaylah when they realize Nurse Vine is the girl I’ve been looking for.

I haven’t spoken to my parents about everything yet. After leaving Pen’s condo, I had to grab my shit and catch a flight with the team, so before practice, I’m going to inform my parents that they are grandparents again – the DNA test came back confirming paternity even though I already knew he was mine. I felt the connection when I held his little body in my arms.

I know mom will be upset, especially with Hudson being just over a month old, but this isn’t about her right now. It’s about Pen, Hudson, and me. I’m just giving them the courtesy of letting them know he exists before it gets out to the press, I can use practice as an excuse to run out like my ass is on fire.

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