Page 42 of Playboy

It’s a lie. Yeah, the second line plays almost as much as the first, but no longer playing with Aiden feels like a demotion.

Camden knows this. “That’s bullshit. You deserve to be the center of attention. You know it and I know it. What Gavin did this year was shit.”

I grind my teeth. “He’s married to my sister.”

He scoffs, straightening beside me. “And he essentially demoted you.”

The barely noticeable ache in my chest flares, but I keep my mouth shut.

“Just think about it. We could help build a team. We’d be the stars. Here, it’s all about the Langfields; there,we’dbe the gods.”

“My family is here,” I bite out. “My sisterisa Langfield.”

“Right. But you’re not.” He taps his glass against mine. “I’m going to get the blonde. Offer’s still open.” With a smirk, he stands. “Both of them. Come with me.Playwith me.” The innuendo is clear. His proposition isn’t just about hockey. No, it includes letting loose for the night with the blonde who is clearly interested in both of us.

I don’t even have to think about my response. Both of mynos are centered around Hannah. Because when I say my family is here, that includes her now too.

“I’m all set. But have fun.” I clap him on the back and turn, ready to go hang with the other guys.

Only when I’m on my feet do I realize they’re surrounded by women.

But these women are of a different variety, and one of them is the person I’ve been waiting for.

Hannah.

It’s time we had a conversation. And tonight, I won’t let her ignore me.

SIXTEEN

HANNAH

I’m never uncomfortable.I live by the motto that I belong in every room. Every person I encounter is lucky to be in my presence. Even if the wives and girlfriends are the ones with excuses to be here—it’s their guys who just finished their season, after all—I’ve never once questioned what I bring to the table. Even as a seventh wheel.

But tonight I’m questioning why the hell I thought it was a good idea to tag along. I can’t drink, and hiding that fact is more work than I like. I’m exhausted. Pregnancy is kicking my ass, and the baby is probably only the size of my thumb.

Actually, I have no idea how big the baby is. Once I searched for safety guidelines for pregnancy—and accidentally stumbled upon the daunting list of symptoms—I stopped researching.

Denial. That’s where I’m living.

And in my own personal hell. Because while I’m seventh-wheeling, Daniel is sitting at the bar with Camden Snow, accepting shots from a gorgeous blonde on the other side of the room. When he straightens and checks her out, I worry I might be sick.

Swallowing back bile, I tug on Ava’s arm. “I think I’m going to go.”

“What? Why? I never come out.” She pouts. “Please. Just one more drink?”

I laugh. “You can’t even drink.”

She eyes me. “Then I’ll just have the kind ofdrinkyou had at dinner.” The serious glint in her usually so kind eyes has me squirming.

And I never squirm.

I’m turning into a person I don’t recognize, and I don’t like it. I blame the pregnancy.

Fuck this. I’m not hiding anymore.

“Fine, let’s get a mocktail.” I loop my arm through hers and drag her to the bar, parking myself right next to the woman who just bought my baby daddy a shot. “Oh, tequila. Love that,” I say to her as the bartender pours another round of shots for her and her friends.

The girl side-eyes me, her lips turned down in confusion. “Yeah, it’s good.”

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