Page 54 of Test the Ice
“Babies are expensive, and I don’t want to be any more of a hassle to you than I already am.”
And again, what if he suddenly decides to turn on me and tells everyone that I’ve been using him? If Benedict were to find out, he’d have plenty of proof that I’m an unfit mother with unstable finances.
I turn my back to Malaki and place my palms onto the counter. I hold my breath before exhaling deeply.
It isn’t long before there’s a tap against my shoulder. I glance backward, and to my surprise, Charleigh is face level with me. Malaki is holding her with one arm while taking her hand in his other to tap me on the shoulder.
My lips twist, and a quiet laugh slips from in between them.
Charleigh smiles, her two lonesome bottom teeth cuter than ever.
I turn all the way around, unable to keep myself from smiling.
Malaki stares at me. “You’re not a hassle.” He turns toward Charleigh. “But I understand where you are coming from and your need to save money. We will come up with something.”
I take Charleigh from Malaki. “Well, surely whatever we come up with can’t be any worse than me telling my ex that you’re my fiancé.”
Malaki scoffs. “That’s the best idea you’ve ever had. What are you talking about?”
I roll my lips together, hiding a smile.
“Come on.” He reaches out and pokes my cheek. “Let me see them.”
Don’t do it.
Charleigh wiggles in my arms and smiles at Malaki.
“Charleigh shows me her dimples,” he says, giving her a lopsided smile.
I grimace and try my hardest to ignore how easy this seems. I feel too safe. My guard is already wavering, and it’s day one.
Maybe I should’ve writtenno giving me butterflieson my list of boundaries, because at this point, I am completely screwed.
Nineteen
MALAKI
I crack my knuckles,push my fingers back into my glove, and focus. We have one more drill to go, and then we’re done for the day. I’ve been distracted, and when questioned, I blamed it on being tired from traveling late last night, but it has nothing to do with lack of sleep and everything to do with that piece of paper Reese handed me this morning.
Boundaries.
My first thought waslame.But after scanning the list, I sort of became…agitated? It wasn’t a list of boundaries that benefited her. Instead, they all benefited me. Like she was trying to protect me from herself.
Her vow to never invade my privacy or cross any lines beyond a business-like relationship is permanently engraved into my brain. Right along with her promise to help contribute to the bills, keep the house as tidy as possible, and she mentioned she’ll never ask nor require any help with Charleigh.
I know that our engagement is a ploy, but how does she expect anyone to believe it if we’re practically strangers? It’ll beobvious, especially to someone who is paying close attention: like Benedict.
Spit flies from my mouth when my body suddenly tumbles through the air. I slip on my back and land with a thud on the hard floor. “What the hell,” I groan and turn over to cradle my stomach.
Ice shavings fling into my face from Kane’s sudden stop. “Dude, pay the fuck attention.”
“I was,” I argue.
“No, you weren’t,” Emory adds from the bench.
He must be done for the day. Goalies have different drills and spend most of practice off doing something else.
I turn with a wince. “I need your help with something,” I grumble through the pain. The wind must've gotten knocked out of me from the fall, because I can’t seem to catch my breath.
