Page 46 of Make Your Save

“Don’t listen to a fucking word any of those people are saying.”

“I was trying to ignore them, but I overheard a woman make a comment about how I’m probably just another woman you’re sleeping with,” she admits, her eyes meeting mine as I slowly stroke the side of her thumb. “Riley and Nova both warned me that it’s probably best if I stay off social media for a while too.”

Fuck.

My stomach sinks, yet at the same time, I’m enraged at the thought of someone making Hadley Reed feel like she’s insignificant. Like she’s less than anything.

“We both know the truth. Everyone who knows us knows the truth.” I squeeze her hand, my eyes desperately searching hers. “You’re not just another woman I’m sleeping with. You’re more than that—so much more than that.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows hard. “How do you live under such a microscope like this? How do you deal with the negative things people say?”

“I ignore them. Fans are always disgruntled about one thing or another. If we’re on a losing streak, they’re quick to point the finger and blame someone. If we loseand it’s my fault, no one talks about when defense fails to do their part.” I let out a sigh, resisting the urge to pull her across the center console and into my lap. “Some can be supportive, but there are also ones who tend to get jealous because they’re envious of what you have.”

A laugh slips from her lips and it’s harsh and jagged as she shakes her head at me. “I don’t think they’d be envious if they knew all of this was fake.” She pauses, tilting her head to the side. “What are you going to do if people ask questions when I leave?”

But I don’t want you to leave.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead yet,” I tell her with honesty, my voice low as my eyes drift over the freckles across the bridge of her nose, memorizing the pattern. I want to set the record straight so it doesn’t look bad on Hadley when she leaves, but I don’t know if I can.

The thought of telling anyone that Lucy isn’t hers just feels wrong.

Because deep down, even though that little girl isn’t biologically related to her, Lucyishers.

Lucy stirs in her car seat, letting out a small sound and at first, I don’t look away. My gaze is locked on Hadley’s with my hand still wrapped up in hers. Her palm warms my own, her fingers like silk entwined with my own. She lets out a soft breath as she tears her stare from mine, glancing at the clock.

“We should get Lucy inside,” she tells me, her gaze sliding back to mine. Her fingers are still laced through mine and fuck, I don’t want to let her go. I’m not readyfor this blip in time to be over. “It’s time for her bottle and then we should probably lay her down.”

I swear, every time she says ‘we,’ it’s like my heart forgets how to function.

“Okay,” I agree, yet we still don’t move. It’s almost as if we’re both just hanging on to the last threads of the moment passing between us. “Just promise me something?”

Her eyes slowly search my expression, the intensity lingering in her gaze. “Anything.”

“Promise me you won’t listen to the outside noise, Hadley. The world can be a cruel place with vile people, and you are more, okay?” I don’t know how to get out what I’m trying to say and now I’m stumbling over my words. “You’re just more.”

The softest smile lifts her lips. “Nice save, Taylor.”

I stare at her for a moment, my heart doing that stupid little skip again. When it comes to Lucy and Hadley, I’ll make as many saves as I have to. Words fail me and I simply wink at her because it’s all I can do with how tongue-tied I feel right now.

Lucy makes another sound of discontent in the back, effectively severing the moment.

“Your daughter is very demanding,” Hadley chuckles softly as she abandons my hand. Her eyes twinkle, her gaze stays a heartbeat longer before she finally reaches for the door handle.

I’m acutely aware of the absence of her warmth and I watch her with a smile drifting across my lips as she gets out of the car and opens the back door. The softsound of her voice penetrates my eardrums from the back seat and I close my eyes, savoring the sound as she whispers sweet words to Lucy.

I don’t know what the hell she’s doing to me, but goddamn, I think I might like it.

Holding Lucy in my arm, I slip the bottle into her mouth, settling down on the rocking chair in her room. I make sure she’s comfortable against my body and I slowly begin to rock, staring down at her little face. Her mouth releases the bottle as she stares up at me. Milk dribbles from the side of her mouth and I quickly catch it with the burp cloth before it dirties her clean pajamas.

“Oops,” I murmur softly, a chuckle rumbling in my chest as she pushes her tongue against the nipple, half playing with it. “You have to drink your bottle, Luce,” I explain, trying again. “It’s late and Daddy still needs to get a shower.”

She doesn’t take the bottle and continues to stare at me. Suddenly a smile erupts across her face and she lets out a cooing sound.

My heart swells in my chest as I watch her with wonderment. “You just want to give me a hard time tonight, don’t you?” I shake my head at her.

Lucy still stares at me and we stay like that for a few minutes. My eyes scan her face, memorizing every last detail of my little girl, and it seems like she does the same with me in return.

“Luce, it’s bad if I can smell myself,” I explain, even though she doesn’t know what I’m saying. Most days I shower at the rink, but today I just wanted to get homeand now I’m regretting it.

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