Page 45 of Second Shot

“Whatstuff?”

“Just some art supplies I ordered.” He grabs an apple and tosses it in the air, before taking a bite, then starting to walkaway.

“You can’t just buy methings.”

“That wasn’t one of your rules.” He gives me a cockysmile.

“It isnow.”

He shrugs, the muscles in his back flexing and bunching with themovement.

“Oh, andKane…”

“Yeah?” He glances over hisshoulder.

“One morerule.”

He frowns. “What’sthat?”

“Put a shirton.”

He chuckles and turns. “No chance in hell,sweetheart.”

Chapter 13

Kane

“She moved in?”Blake’s mouth hangs open as he leans against the bar, beer bottle frozen inmidair.

I don’t usually go out drinking after games anymore, but Blake had been bugging me all day about Brynne. And, in all honestly, I hate keeping this fucking secret. I need to talk to someone. Especially since I’ll be spending the next few nights alone in a hotel room. Without Brynne. And without mykid.

“Please tell me you didn’t ask her to marryyou.”

I wince, and Blakegroans.

“Who’s getting married?” A large hand slaps me hard on the back, and I’m greeted by familiar blueeyes.

“Carter ‘The Crusher’ Bennet,” Blake says, standing from his stool and taking the man’s hand. “God, it’s been a long time. What are you doing here? You still working for that rag piece? ‘Cause if you’re looking for some good gossip, this guy—” He shoves his thumb at me and winks, “—has some pretty good shit you might be interestedin.”

“Really?” Carter’s brows goup.

“Thanks, asshole.” I glare at Blake, then turn to Carter, shaking his hand. The guy used to be a pretty good hockey player before he busted his knee up. Only played with him a season, but I’ve seen him around, covering games for whatever paper he works for. “Last I heard, you got yourself hitched and had akid.”

“And one on the way,” Carter says, grinning, pulling out his phone and bringing up a picture of a very pregnant brunette holding a littleboy.

“Congrats, man. Good lookingfamily.”

Blake grunts. “Whatever Kool-Aid you two have been drinking, just keep it the hell away fromme.”

Carter raises an eyebrow at me. “You had akid?”

The guy was always one to read between the lines. Guess that’s what makes him a good reporter. But the last thing I need is my relationship with Brynne getting out, not without her approval. She’d have my fucking head on aspike.

I take a swig of my beer, before answering. I want to shout it from the rooftops. Show my own damn pictures. But I promised Brynne. I don’t know what the hell difference two weeks makes, but I’ll give them toher.

Because I know she’s terrified. She’s one of the strongest people I know. But even steel can bend when put under extreme weight. And these past two years have been a pressurecooker.

“It’s complicated,” I mutter into mybottle.

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