Page 76 of Second Shot

“Kane-”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s not tonight. I won’t ask you again until I know you’re ready. But one day you will sayyes.”

I don’t respond, because if I do, I know I’ll probably beg him to ask menow.

But he’s right. I’m not ready. I don’t know if I’ll everbe.

I never wanted any ofthis.

The thought of marriage. Kids. Playing house. It was never my dream. My dream was to paint. To create. To be my own person. Not to be a hockey wife. And with Kane, that’s what I’llbe.

Chapter 24

Kane

Brynne mumbles in her sleep,one arm strung possessively over my chest, a leg looped aroundmine.

It’s still dark outside, but I can already hear Noah starting to stir through themonitor.

I hate getting out of bed, hate leaving her, but we were up half the night, and I want to let her sleep. Carefully, I shift out of bed, then pull the covers over hershoulders.

After I change and feed Noah, I wrap him in a blanket, take him out on the balcony, and watch the sun rise over thecity.

“One step closer, buddy. She still won’t admit that she loves me. But shedoes.”

Noah babbles his response and I grin down athim.

Never thought I wanted to be a dad. But him. He’s perfect. My heart swells with pride, and I want nothing more than to tell everyone he’smine.

I’m done with thepretenses.

“And we’re going to have to do something about that damn birth certificate,” I mutter. “Because you will have my name. You’re aMadden.”

“Ma, ma, ma,” hejabbers.

“Close,” I chuckle, then say slowly. “Ma-dden.”

“Da, da,da.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, I’m yourdaddy.”

I wonder if all babies are as smart as him. I doubt it. But I could just be suffering from what Blake calls Daddy-fever, the belief that everything your kid does is a world event that deserves mediacoverage.

We used to laugh at the guys who came in with their videos and pictures, but I get it now. I don’t want to miss a moment with him. And if I could record every second of his precious life, Iwould.

“Hi,” Brynne says, closing the balcony door behind her as she steps out. She’s wearing one of my oversized t-shirts, her face clean of make-up, her dark hair tangled, and I swear she’s never looked morebeautiful.

“You two look content.” She smiles, reaching for Noah’s hand when he starts to gurgle ather.

I place my palm on her cheek and lean down, brushing my lips across hers, and I feel hertremble.

“Come inside and I’ll make youcoffee.”

She nods, followingme.

I place Noah in his chair, then pour us both acoffee.

She shifts nervously under my gaze, taking asip.

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