Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
After Pretore moves away from the podium, Gray steps back up and asks, “Anyone got any announcements they need to make?”
The sound of someone standing up behind me has my head turning to look over my shoulder. Hawke Therrian is a defenseman and about as tough as they come. But right now he looks like a big, goofy puppy dog as he stares down at his fiancée, Vale Campbell, who happens to be one of our trainers. She’s standing in a line of coaches and trainers behind the podium. Her cheeks go pink and I turn to look back at Hawke.
He clears his throat and says, “Just wanted to let you guys know that, um…well, we found out earlier this summer that Vale is pregnant.”
There’s a rumble of congratulations, and those closest to Hawke thump him on the back.
“She’s due early next March,” Hawke continues, his voice a little thick with emotion. He coughs and then tries to bring some levity to the situation. “God help you poor bastards that get on her hormonal side when she’s working on you.”
My head swings back to Vale, and she shoots Hawke a death glare, but then she smiles in smug satisfaction as she realizes she’ll get to torture us more than she already does. My muscles contract in protest of the pain that’s sure to come at her hands, but I couldn’t be happier for her.
Hawke clears his throat again, this time to indicate he’s got more to say. The room goes quiet. “Just as important, we decided to go ahead and get married this summer. So the big, fancy wedding is off the table, but we’re going to throw a hell of a party before it gets too cold. You’re all invited, of course.”
Several of the people in the room laugh, and the overall atmosphere of happiness within the room feels damn good. It speaks to the heart of this team and how we have each other’s backs.
Always.
My eyes cut over to Reed, who is sitting one row down from me and to my left. He’s turned in his seat, grinning up at Hawke, and a rush of fondness for my buddy hits me hard. I’ve thought these last few weeks that he’s a dick because of the way he’s ridden me about how I was treating Gracen, but I know deep down that he was doing it because he cares about me.
“That’s wonderful news,” Gray says from the podium, and my attention swings that way. She turns to look at Vale. “And anything pregnancy related you need to know, my office door is open.”
Vale blushes as she nods at the general manager, her boss who has offered to dish over babies and pregnancy. That’s just Gray being all girl, and that’s also all right by us.
“Any other news?” Gray asks briskly as she grips the edges of the podium.
I look around but no one stands up. My gaze goes back to Gray, who watches us all for a moment before taking our silence to indicate the meeting is over. She leans forward and opens her mouth as if to say some last-minute words of encouragement, but without thinking I’m pushing up out of my seat.
“I have an announcement,” I say as I tuck my hands down into the pockets of my cargo shorts.
Gray’s eyes alight on me and she nods.
“I’ve got some big news too,” I say, surprised that this isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. “I found out a few weeks ago that I’m a father.”
Mutters of disbelief mixed with joy hit me from all angles after it takes a moment for my teammates to process what I just said. I grin and look around. “It was a shock, but I’m pretty fucking stoked about it.”
The guys all laugh and grin back at me.
“Her name is Lilly,” I tell my team, and my neck turns warm as I hear the gravely emotion in my voice just from saying her name. I give a little cough, suck in a breath. “She’ll be four in January, and she’s pretty fucking amazing. I’m sure you all will be meeting her at some event or another. Maybe a game here soon.”
I look quickly around the room, nodding at my teammates in acknowledgment of their happiness for me.
“That’s just amazing, Marek,” Gray says from the front of the room. “I can’t wait to meet Lilly.”
I blow out a breath and smile back at her.
“All right guys,” Pretore says as he steps back up to the podium. “You got thirty minutes to get suited up and hit the ice. We’re going to be doing drills today to get your skating legs back in working order.”
I groan at the thought of how much pain I’m going to be in, even as excitement pulses through me to get back out on the ice.