Page 78 of Pucking Off-Sides With My Brother's Best Friend

I nod acknowledging her, ignoring the kissy noises from the guys as we head into the locker room.

A year ago, I might’ve decked someone for that shit. Now? I just roll my eyes. “Don’t hate me ’cause you’re all sad, single fucks,” I call out as I start stripping off my gear.

After a quick shower, I head out to meet Aurora. “Hey, princess,” I say, giving her a quick kiss. “Thought we were meeting at home.”

As I pull back, I notice something in her eyes. She looks excited, but there’s something else. Nervous, maybe? It reminds me of the night I proposed, fumbling with the ring like some teenager putting on a corsage at prom. Or when she brought home our puppy (who, despite my threats, I’ve grown to love almost as much as Aurora).

“I know,” she says, fidgeting with her purse. “But I couldn’t wait. And Katarina was about ready to strangle me for freaking out, so I came here.”

I nod, curiosity and a bit of worry creeping in. “Alright. What’s going on?”

“I’m late.”

I frown, not getting it. “Late for what? Shit, did I forget date night or something? I’m sorry, babe. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”

She shakes her head, then digs in her purse and pulls out a stick with a pink plastic tip. She hands it to me, and I stare at it like it’s a fucking alien artifact.

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

Aurora puts her hands on her hips, giving me that look that’s half I love you and half you’re an idiot.

“Really, Aiden? I know you take pucks to the head for a living but come on.”

I can’t help but grin. A year together, and she still makes me feel like some lovesick kid. “Hey, not all of us can be brainiacs like you. Spell it out for us simple folk, will ya?”

She giggles, and the sound does things to me I can’t even explain. Our relationship hasn’t all been smooth sailing - we’ve had our share of fuck-ups and misunderstandings. But we’ve weathered every storm together, coming out stronger on the other side.

“Here’s simple for you,” Aurora says, her eyes sparkling. “I’m pregnant.”

The world screeches to a halt. I look back down at the stick in my hand, finally getting it. “Holy shit,” I whisper.

Aurora giggles again, and I’m transported back to that night I proposed. I’d been so fucking nervous, sweating bullets and tripping over my words like I’d never talked to a girl before. Butwhen she said yes when I saw those tears in her eyes? I knew I’d made the right call.

“You’re pregnant,” I say, the words feeling weird and wonderful on my tongue.

Aurora nods, but her smile starts to fade as I stand there like a statue. “Is that... is that okay?”

Her uncertain tone snaps me out of it. Without thinking, I scoop her up, spinning her around. “Okay? This is fucking amazing!”

My shouts bring the guys out of the locker room. When Jax pokes his head out, I point at him, unable to contain my excitement. “You’re gonna be an uncle, asshole! I’m gonna be a dad. I’m gonna be the best fucking dad ever!”

As Aurora laughs and the guys call out their congratulations, I’m hit with a weird sense of déjà vu. It wasn’t that long ago we were in a similar situation—Aurora telling me she might be pregnant, me freaking the fuck out about maybe being a dad. But this time, instead of panic, all I feel is joy and excitement.

I look down at Aurora, seeing all that love and happiness in her eyes, and I’m floored by how far we’ve come. I used to be a guarded, angry son of a bitch, too scared of getting hurt to let anyone in. Now, I’m about to start a family with the woman I love more than anything in this damn world.

“I love you, princess,” I say, my voice rough with emotion.

“I love you too, Aiden,”

As I lean down to kiss her, I’m struck by how right this feels. Kissing Aurora has always felt like coming home, but now, with our kid growing inside her, that feeling is cranked up to eleven.

When we break apart, I’m aware of the team still watching us, their excited chatter a backdrop to our moment. I look over at Jax, seeing the mix of happiness and protectiveness in his eyes. “You better take care of them,” he says, his tone gruff but affectionate.

“Always,” I promise, and I mean it with every fiber of my being.

As the excitement starts to die down and the guys head back into the locker room, I turn back to Aurora. “How’re you feeling? You need to sit down? You hungry? I can go grab you something.”

Aurora laughs, shaking her head. “I’m fine, Aiden. I’m pregnant, not made of glass.”

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