Page 17 of Make Your Save

“Yeah.”

“Okay, explain to me why you think this baby is yours.”

“There was some documentation with her and a note. We’re waiting on the results of a paternity test to see if she’s my daughter,” I explain to him, my voicealmost robotic and rehearsed as I force the words out. At this point, I think I’m just becoming numb to the entire situation.

“Rowan...” Carson’s voice trails off as he stares at me. “So, you fucked this girl, she ended up pregnant, didn’t tell you, and then leaves the baby saying you’re the father.” His face pales. “What in the actual fuck?”

“Yeah, I know.” I let out a stiff laugh, the sound abrasive and unnatural. “Apparently she has some personal issues and isn’t fit to be a mother.”

He snorts. “So, she thinks you’re fit to be a father?” He rolls his eyes, shaking his head at me. “I’m kidding. But seriously, what the hell are you going to do?”

I hold my hands up, shrugging as I let out an exasperated sigh. “If she’s my child, then she’s my responsibility.”

Carson’s eyes soften, a knowing look passing through his gaze as he gives me an appreciative nod. “Honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. You’re a stand-up guy, Rowan, and I admire you for that. I can’t begin to imagine the type of mindfuck you’re going through right now, yet you’re ready to step up and do whatever you have to do.”

I stare at my best friend for a moment, knowing it’s a compliment but not sure how to even respond. The last thing I need right now is for my emotions to come out of hiding. “Thanks, I appreciate that,” I tell him, finally pulling open the door to my car.

“Where is the baby now?”

“She’s at my house,” I say, my eyebrows pulling together as I watch Carson walking around to thepassenger’s side of my car. He reaches for the door. “What are you doing?”

“Coming with you.”

My head cocks sideways slightly. “For what?”

“Obviously to help you.” He stares at me. “I have a niece, Rowan. I know what to do with babies.”

“So does Hadley.”

A smirk pulls on his lips, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Is she at your house right now?”

“Yes,” I tell him, my tone suddenly off. “She’s helping me until I figure things out.”

“Perfect.” Carson shuts the door to my car, backing away with mischief in his eyes. “I’ll meet you at your house.”

I narrow my eyes, watching as he turns his back to me. “I don’t need your help, Ford.”

He simply lifts his hand to wave at me, but doesn’t bother to look back or say anything in response. I watch him for a moment, a sigh escaping me as I finally lower myself into the car. I’m exhausted and Carson can be a bit of a thorn at times, but I’ll welcome any help I can get right now. Lord knows I’m going to need all the help I can get, especially if it turns out that Lucy is mine.

They say it takes a village, but I’m beginning to wonder if it takes an entire hockey team instead.

CHAPTER SEVEN

HADLEY

Standing at the stove, I check the timer, pulling the oven door open as I check on the lasagna one last time. I check the actual time, realizing it’s well after eleven thirty, yet here I am, attempting to make dinner for Rowan like I’m some damn housewife. We didn’t talk about what time he would be home, although now I’m wondering if I should have asked.

Shit. What if he decided to not even bother coming back?

He has a very particular schedule and routine before a game, I never once considered he might have a ritual after a game too. I don’t even know if he eats dinner this late. I have a habit of baking or cooking when I’m stressed, and stressed is definitely an understatement right now.

Relief instantly floods me when I hear the garage door opening and I feel the tension easing from my shoulders. My ears are perked, waiting for the sound of Rowan to come inside. Lucy went down about an hourago, so she’ll be waking up within the next two to eat again. Rowan hasn’t asked me to stay tonight, but I can’t leave him by himself when I’m not sure he even knows how to change a diaper.

The door to the garage opens the same time the timer on the oven goes off. Rowan walks in, his hair damp and hanging above his eyebrows. His dark blue eyes meet mine from across the room and I ignore the weird feeling in my stomach as I smile at him.

“Hey,” I say cheerfully, turning back to the stove as I turn off the timer. “I’m not sure if you ate or not after the game, but I figured I’d make something in case you didn’t.”

Instinctively, I grab the handle, opening it once more before reaching directly into the oven. I’m sleep-deprived, stressed beyond belief, and distracted by Rowan coming home that I don’t even stop to grab one of the potholders.

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