Page 26 of A Little Puck Luck

“Oh, we’re back to using my love?”

If I needed to, I could play it off that it was just a blanket endearment term, but in all honesty, it was only for her. However, given how drunk she was, it would probably be easy to steer her away from that.

“What can I say? My feelings for you never fully left. Don’t forget you were the one who ghosted me.”

It was probably a dick move to say that, but it was the truth. I would have totally stayed with her if she let me.

“I’m sorry about that, Ter. I really am. But I was trying to do right by you, which was an epic failure. Yet here you are, doing right by me and your son.”

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to thank the alcohol for loosening up her lips. But it was long overdue for us to have this conversation since she was always so goddamn guarded around me.

“I still don’t get that part, my love. How in the world was lying about a miscarriage and vanishing doing right by anyone?”

I really felt bad saying that, but it was also the truth.

“It was the only way. We were kids, and you were following your dream. Eric and I would have only gotten in the way and made it way harder for you to kill it. Hell, you already got a Stanley Cup, and we all know you’re in contention for another one. One of us deserved to live life to the fullest, and I chose you.”

I hated hearing that. I would have been there for her if she let me. But she was right. I wouldn’t have walked away. It was the only way for me to do half the shit I’ve done. But having her in my life wouldn’t have changed my hockey career. I would have just been way more boring, and I hated that she took the decision away from me.

I kissed the top of her head.

“I wish you didn’t make that decision for me, though,” I said softly.

“You and me both. Especially after having a real miscarriage, I know how cruel it really is.”

I sat up straighter. This was new. She lost a kid. I knew she had a bunch of injuries, but no one ever mentioned anything about a miscarriage. Then I reminded myself that even though she got beaten up by her ex, a miscarriage could have happened earlier in their relationship.

“Don’t tell me you were pregnant with that asshat.”

She only nodded.

Suddenly, the meek and mild woman she became in my absence showed up again. I didn’t want those guards to go back up. We were finally having a truthful conversation that I needed to really forgive her and maybe one day get back with her.

Even thinking there was hope we could get back together reawakened my semi.

Nope. Not thinking that way. It will only give you blue balls.

I probably shouldn’t ask, but I had to know. “Did he attack you because you were pregnant?”

Annie shrugged. I stared and rubbed her shoulders, hoping to keep her lips loose and find out some much-needed answers.

“Luke was jealous of you. Especially since he was never that good at hockey. When he found out you were moving back to the area, he became worse. Then, when he found the phone Spence gave me for emergencies and for me to keep earning money by dog walking, he was convinced we hooked up again, and he went crazy. So, while he only almost killed me, he did kill our baby.”

Oh shit.

That was so much, and the fact that she’d kept it silent, she was stronger than I could ever know.

I felt bad for her. She endured so much, yet she just powered through and was an amazing mom to our kid. She was freaking amazing.

The worst thing was that she lost a kid over nothing. We weren’t having sex. Hell, she was now living with me, and we were still not having sex.

“I’m so sorry,” I muttered.

It was lame, but I didn’t know what else to say.

“Me too.” She let out a yawn, and with the way she stretched out her arms with all abandon, she nearly punched me in the face. “I’m sleepy.”

I scooped her up in my arms and carried her to my bedroom. I would probably regret the decision, but I didn’t trust her not to get super sick tonight. I could deal with being tortured by blue balls just to make sure she was safe.

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