Page 143 of Pucking Strong

In a perfect imitation of her mother, she huffs and stomps away.

It’s game day, intermission time. The Rays are up by two, and the WAG room is buzzing with excitement. All the little kids are playing over in the corner. They’ve got a great setup, including age-appropriate toy bins and a TV that can play movies.

The rest of the room is set up for the adults, with tables for eating, a couple couches, and the infamous WAG room buffet spread. Today it’s Caesar salad with grilled chicken or salmon as a protein, homemade mac and cheese with the curly noodles and a crispy baked topping, and a build-your-own sundae bar.

I glance over my shoulder, checking on Karolina. She’s sitting with Emma and Grace Morrow, all three of them furiously coloring. Nearby, Doc Price is hunkered down with her boys, feeding them bites of mac and cheese while they play. I offer her a smile and a wave. Once I got back from Sweden, she was finally able to go onmaternity leave. It’s been weird around the gym without her. Brady is cool, but he just doesn’t have the same energy. Rachel Price always comes with just a little touch of chaos that makes each workday fun.

I turn back to the buffet, juggling mine and Karro’s plates. I add a little salmon for her and some chicken for me.

I should just say yes, right? To the slumber party? As one of her legal guardians, I’m allowed to make this kind of decision on the fly. But it still feels odd. As much as I’ve fallen into a rhythm with Karro and I like thinking of her as partly mine, there’s still a wall there. It’s the “they’re family, and I’m not” wall. Henrik is her blood relation. They speak the same language. They both knew her mother. God help me, they both like Kalles Kaviar. It’s this awful, fishy paste made from salted cod roe. It’s pink, and it comes in a tube like toothpaste, and it ruined my breakfast last week. They love it. Can’t get enough of it.

What I’m saying is I still feel like an outsider. Henrik and Karro, even Hanna, are firmly overthere. And I’m overhere, wondering exactly where I fit into this long term. Because I want a long term. I don’t want this marriage to only be temporary. Henrik and I have something. I knew it from the moment we met on that sidewalk six years ago. It’s taken time for that spark to grow into a flame. But this last week has taught me to hope like I’ve never really hoped before.

And that’s saying a lot, because I’m a delusional double Pisces.

Henrik’s been in and out for travel. But when he’s home? God, the man is undeniable. Now that he’s discovered hehaspassion, he’s unafraid to show it. But he’s like a babe in the woods, unsure of what to do or how to express what he feels. And he’s still not great at the verbal communication thing either.

Here’s one thing: I don’t know how much longer our “no sex in the bed” rule can last. We’re still taking it slow, but our kissing is getting more adventurous by the day. We’re each exploring more terrain, if you know what I mean. He got back last night, and once we got Karro in bed, he had me stretched out on the couch, shirt off, hands seeking, teasing my nipples and kissing across my chest until—

Okay. Cool it, psycho. The WAG room buffet line is not the placeto reminisce about the time you came in your pants from a little nipple play.

Because, yeah, that happened.

And, yes, Henrik noticed.

I think he’s curious to try more. He certainly doesn’t object when I suck him off, which has been every night that he’s been home. Twice on Tuesday. I’ve made it clear that he can do more to me too, but I think he’s nervous. He likes the kissing, and he definitely likes touching me.

I don’t know, maybe he’s a bottom? He gives such quiet lion energy that I just thought his instincts would take over and he’d pounce. Maybe he’s vers. Maybe hewillbe a top, but I have to show him how first. I’ve always preferred bottoming. But with Henrik? If he needs me to top him to show him how things work, he only has to ask.

“Hey.”

I practically jump out of my skin as Tess steps in behind me. “Jesus, you scared me,” I say.

“How did I scare you? I was standing right here.”

I force all thoughts of Henrik from my head. “What do you need, Tess?”

“Emma just told me you said Karolina can’t come for a sleepover. And that’s totally fine. But if you’re worried about her because of the injuries—”

I hold up a hand. “Whoa, I didnotsay that. I said I needed to think about it.”

“What’s there to think about? Three little girls having a sleepover, watchingMulanin my living room. I’ll be there the whole time. No rough play, and no sugar after eight. Lights out by nine.”

I groan. “Look, I just need to clear it with Henrik first, okay? I can give you an answer by the end of the game.”

She eyes me critically. “How’s all that going then?”

“All what?”

Before she can respond, Poppy comes breezing up to us. “Teddy, honey, there you are.” She looks a little breathless, her cheeks flushed pink. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Uhh …” I glance over my shoulder to where Karro plays.

“I got her,” says Tess. “Go.”

Poppy wraps a hand around my arm. Apparently, I have no choice but to set aside my plates of food and abandon this buffet line, letting Poppy lead me towards the door. “Hey, Tess?” she calls over her shoulder.

“Yeah?”

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