Page 68 of Her Hat Trick Daddies
Her eyes lift to mine, sharp but soft all at once. “But, Shane… if you want this to work, you have to keep your temper in check. No exceptions. Not ever.”
“I swear,” I say without hesitation. “I’ve already booked time with Dr. Crosby, a psychologist I used to see. I’m serious. I’m not going to let my shit touch her life. She deserves better. And so do you.”
David, as steady as ever, just nods. “One step at a time. For everyone.”
Her eyes meet mine, searching, weighing, and this time, she doesn’t look away. “There’s no game this weekend,” she says softly. “We can meet up. At the park, maybe.”
Relief hits me like the first breath after a long shift on the ice. “We’ll be there.”
Andy grins. “Wouldn’t miss a faceoff like that.”
Leighton smiles, the barest curve of her lips, but it’s real. It’s a start.
Chapter 20
Andy
We get the paternity test done not long after that tense visit to Leighton’s office, just before the weekend we’re set to meet Luna. No surprises when the results come back—Shane is the dad.
Knowing for sure somehow makes everything feel a little easier. Or maybe just different. Either way, we all sat down with Leighton afterward, and honestly? She’s fucking amazing. Forgiving Shane, giving him the chance to show up and be there… that takes guts. I joked about her making him sweat it out a bit longer, because if anyone deserves to twist for a while, it’s him, but Leighton’s got a bigger heart than I do, than we all do. She’s generous in ways I don’t think I could be.
And as much as I don’t know Shane the way David does, I know he’s not a bad person. We all screw up. One terrible reaction doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person through and through. I’ve had time to sit with the idea of being part of thisbaby’s life, and honestly? I’m just grateful I didn’t freak out the same way when I found out.
I’m pushing forty, and having kids hasn’t been on my radar for a long time. I didn’t think I’d get the chance at this age, so what was the point? But now that there’s a baby already here, already real, it’s kind of… exciting. Well, terrifying as hell, but exciting.
At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.
The rest of the week feels…off. Not bad, exactly, just weird. Some moments fly by, others drag like they’ll never end. And now that it’s finally time to meet Luna, I’m not even sure what I’m feeling. I’m usually the most laidback of the three of us, but right now? I’m a hot mess of nerves and what-ifs, wound tighter than my hamstrings on leg day. I’m holding it together, barely, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a lot. I guess that’s what a baby does to you.
We pull up to a massive house, the kind that makes David’s place look cozy. Leighton had said she wanted to do this at her friend’s place—less pressure that way, since there’d be another kid around. An easier icebreaker. Made sense.
David’s SUV is packed to the brim with gifts, every inch of space crammed like we’re hauling a toy store across town. He’s behind the wheel, unusually quiet, his jaw clenched tight like he’s psyching himself up for a playoff shootout. Eyes straight ahead. Laser-focused.
Shane’s riding shotgun, but he’s not much better, looking a little green around the gills. He’s fidgety, his fingers keep messing with his baseball cap, twisting it forward, then backward, then forward again.
I get it. We’re all feeling it.
I’m just the one dumb enough to say our thoughts out loud. “Think we’re ready for this?”
“We have to be,” Shane mutters.
“Wewillbe,” David says, firm like always. “If we can’t figure out fatherhood between the three of us, we might as well crawl under a damn rock.”
“I don’t know about y’all, but I think Luna might take one look at us and scream like a banshee.”
“Jesus, Andy.” David shoots me a look. “Why do you always assume the worst?”
“Because it’s easier. Low expectations mean fewer disappointments.” I glance at Shane. “Right?”
Shane doesn’t say a word, just rubs the back of his neck.
“I’m sure the baby will like us,” David tries again. “The kids who recognize us at games do. That’s gotta count for something.”
“Maybe. Guess we’ll find out.” My heart’s doing somersaults.
We pop the doors open and start unloading, our arms full of bags—books, bears, a dollhouse, snacks, clothes, shoes, even a light-up princess dress that Shane had insisted on grabbing.No half-measures today. If we’re going to make an impression, we’re going all in.
I nudge Shane, who’s still adjusting his hat like it’s a security blanket. “Take your hat off,” I murmur. “Luna needs to see you.”
