Page 79 of Press Your Luck

I shook his hand. "Pierce—"

"Coach Jackson. Of course. I followed your career ever since you played in the American League and later in the National League. I was shocked when you left coaching in the National League and went back down to the American League." He nodded toward Naomi. "Coach Withers, here, is giving you quite the run for your money." He looked at her and then at me as if it had only just dawned on him why I was there. "I can see the rivalry didn't come between you."

I managed a smile, but it was possible it was a grimace.

He turned back to Naomi, and I had a minute to consider that he had recognized me, which meant this situation could be leaked online. But weren't doctors required to keep information about the patient secret? But then I realized that while the staff might be required to keep mum, none of the other patients would. I was definitely going to have to let Reed and Bo know about the pregnancy before the media did.

"We’ll do another sonogram to make sure everything is progressing. We should be able to hear the heartbeats this time as well, if you’d like."

I watched in silence as he got the machine ready and squeezed gel over Naomi's swelling belly. My heart swelled with love at the idea that something—or three somethings—that I helped create were growing there.

Moments later, he was pointing to images on a screen, indicating the various babies. "Do you want to know the gender?"

I shrugged, letting Naomi know it was up to her. I was feeling a bit too overwhelmed to say anything or make any decisions.

"They’re not being very helpful, but I think this little guy here's a boy."

A boy.

"And this little one may be a girl." He tilted his head and moved the wand around. "But the third one wants to keep it a secret."

A boy and a girl. It wasn't like I didn't know I was about to be a father of four, but for the most part, I'd been able to not think about it. The reality of it slammed into me like a freight train.

"You're looking a little pale over there, Dad. She did tell you there were triplets, right?"

I nodded. "Yes."

Dr. Lyman chuckled. "Knowing and seeing are two different things, aren't they?"

He finished the exam and indicated that everything looked fine. But he also warned Naomi that she would need to take it easy and pay close attention to her body and any warning signs that something could be wrong.

As he ended the appointment, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, noting it was a text message from Reed.

Is this you entering an OB/GYNoffice in Henderson?

Holy shit.I looked at the picture, knowing it had to be me.

I'll be therein 45 minutes, I texted back.

I figuredthat was the amount of time it would take me to get out of the office and back on the road up to Las Vegas. I half expected Reed to call me, but he didn't. I guess he figured I’d let him know what was going on when I arrived.

The doctor helped Naomi off the exam table.

I looked at her. "I've got to go."

Her eyes welled with tears, and she pressed her lips together like she was trying to keep from crying. It pulled at my heartstrings, but like the bastard I was trying to be, I ignored it.

She nodded. "Okay."

I shook Dr. Lyman's hand again and then headed out, going straight to my car and driving back to Las Vegas to the rink.

When I entered my office, Reed and Bo were already there. They each looked up at me from where they were sitting, their eyes wide and expectant.

I went over to my desk and sat down. "Yes, that was me at the OB/GYN office in Henderson. And yes, whatever you're thinking is true. "

Bo gaped. Reed studied me hard.

"The question is why do you seem unhappy about it?" Reed finally asked. “I thought—”

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