Page 44 of Falling for You

As soon as he’s in position, he latches on with ease. I relax as a few tears fall, allowing the horrible feeling of leaving him to consume me just for a moment.

The door opens quietly a few seconds later, then shuts, and I quickly wipe away my tears as Taylor rasps, “I really wish you’d just accept my help, Firecracker.” I sigh, but he continues, “I get it. You are independent and strong, but he’s only two months old, and you are struggling without him.”

I look at the man slowly taking my heart, who has invaded my life, staying on my couch, doing the housework, and getting up at night with our son. I can’t help but fall some more.

There’s no judgment in his eyes, only concern.

“I need to do this,” I admit, “and not just because of money but because nursing is who I am, and I can’t lose myself all because I had a child. I need to balance them both which is why I’m only back part-time; it’s the first day, Taylor, so I will struggle a little.”

He sighs as he sits on the bed next to me and gently cups our son's head while he nurses, and even though I’m exposed, it feels so right.

“I came to talk to you about the game next week,” he admits as he looks at me, “I knew it would be around the time you pump, so I figured you could nurse at the same time.”

I give him a grateful smile.

“I know you’re working, and I, look, Mom wants to watch Hudson while you’re at work,” he admits, and my eyes widen slightly. He continues, “Dylan said he’ll pick him up from here at the beginning of your shift. He’s up early anyhow for training, then drop him off as soon as you’ve finished, and he promised to keep his crazy wife away from Huddy.”

I lick my bottom lip, and instead of going into how he needs to divorce Xanthe, a woman I have yet to meet, a jersey chaser who tried to trap his brother and is making his life hell daily, I ask, “Your mom wants him all four shifts?”

He winces and admits, “She did, but I told her that was too much. I know how much the connection through nursing means to you, so I told her I’d speak to you about having him for one shift so you can gain confidence in her and my dad, who promised to be there the whole day, and my sister.”

One shift doesn’t sound too bad; honestly, every time his mom has called while he’s been at mine, she’s been begging for more time with Hudson.

I swallow the lump forming in my throat and agree, “We can trial the one shift,” and he smiles at me.

“Thank you,” he says, and I nod as I sit Hudson up and pass him to Taylor, who instantly puts him on his shoulder and starts patting his back as I put my breast away.

“Do you need to pump the other?” he asks as Hudson lets out a large burp, making me smile.

I shake my head and state, “No, because he’s fed; I’ll just pump in four hours.”

He nods as he passes me back our boy, and I sit him on my lap. He plays with my top, squealing with delight when he finds my lanyard, bringing me nothing but happiness while Taylor watches on until someone knocks on the door, and he groans, knowing full well it’ll be more hospital staff wanting autographs.

I grin and state, “That’s what happens when you’re a pro hockey player.”

He retorts, “Says the girl who had no idea who I was when we met.”

I bite my bottom lip to hide my grin, but he sees it as he winks at me, then stands and walks to the door.

I hear a lusty female voice say, “Oh wow, you really are Taylor Evans,” and I narrow my eyes, and as if feeling my jealousy, Taylor turns his head my way, and his eyes soften.

“I’m only yours, and the only reason I’m doing this is so they don’t hound you at work,” he admits, then turns back to my colleagues to sign autographs, and my heart softens.

I want him, I do, and not just because he’s Hudson’s father but because that night, I gave him all of me, including my heart. I never got any of it back; I just don’t know if I’m ready, I don’t know if he wants me because of Hudson. I don’t know if I can handle it if he hurts me.

But I guess only time will tell.

Chapter 18

Taylor – A Week Later

I breathe heavily as I dodge the center to the Sparks when he drops his stick near my skates to trip me, cheating a-fucking-gain all because they’re losing. I spin, a trick my sister taught me many fucking moons ago to get away from the defense barreling towards me with a face like thunder before I make it to the goal and without a second thought, I shoot as their goalie skates away from his post like an idiot. He misses the puck as it hits their net, and the light flashes above it.

3-1 to us.

Their team has been playing fucking hard, and by hard, I mean aggressive and dirty all evening.

Three of my team members have nearly been knocked out, while two of theirs have been banned from the ice for aggressive behavior.

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