Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
But it’s not my time yet. If I worked hard enough, maybe I could stay in the league for a few more years. I didn’t know if there was anything I wouldn’t sacrifice for that.
“You talk like you’ll never be passionate about anything after hockey is gone,” she says.
I hesitate. Basically, she’s hitting the nail on the head, but I don’t know if it would be too sad to admit that. “Nah,” I say. “I just know I’ll miss it.”
“I think life has a way of filling the gaps. One door closes, and two new ones open…”
“Or,” I say. “We can stick our foot in the door and punch whoever is trying to close it in the mouth. That’s always an option.”
Caroline sighs. “Men.”
16
CAROLINE
Iroll to my side, stretching out my hands to reach for him. All I find are tangled and wrinkled sheets, warm from the sun streaming in the floor-to-ceiling windows of our hotel.
I groan, mildly annoyed because Jake’s like the world’s comfiest, warmest, best-smelling pillow. Where is he?
I sit up, first looking at Walker in his crib. He let us off easy last night and only woke up twice, wanting to feed. When he woke up cranky because of his diaper, Jake handled it without a word. He also managed to not get pee in his eyes. Just a couple days on the job and he’s already a natural.
A sleepy grin spreads my lips. Then I remember I told him last night. God. I actually told him.
I sink back to my pillow, both hands on my face. Was he just being nice last night? Is that why he’s M.I.A. right now?
I’m in the middle of a tiny panic attack when the hotel door swings open. I’m only wearing an oversized t-shirt, so I lift the comforter to cover myself. I relax when I see Jake walking in backward with a service tray full of silver-topped plates on the cart.
I smile as the collection of drinks and food clinks and clatters. Jake is also wearing one of the big, puffy white hotel robes. He’s barefoot with wet hair, like he’s fresh out of the shower.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“Room service. But you looked too hot. I told the guy to leave it outside.” He crawls on the bed and plants a kiss on my forehead. “Not sure I want to risk letting anyone else see you looking like this. I’d have to fight for the right to be your fake fiancé.
I bite my lip as butterflies explode in my chest. Is this real?
“Should we talk about…”
“I got orange juice,” Jake says quickly, almost like he’s purposely cutting me off. “Eggs. French Toast. Fresh fruit. Did I say eggs?”
“Is everything okay?” I’m feeling a little worried now. Does he not want to talk about last night? Because I feel like there’s still plenty more to talk about. Like what happens with Walker if things don’t work out between us. Like whether he wants to be a bigger part of Walker’s life, one way or another. Or even if we want to start telling people, because God, I would so love to tell everybody and stop keeping secrets.
“We have a flight back to Frosty Harbor on the team jet in…” he checks his phone. “Five hours. But I wanted to take you to an aquarium in the city. I love aquariums.”
I smirk. Okay. He’s clearly dodging the topic, but he’s also not pushing me away. That counts for something, right? I should also remember I’m the one who sprung a life-altering surprise on him last night. I should give him the space to digest it how he wants to. If that means not directly talking about it for a little while, I can live with that. “That sounds great. Walker has never been to one.”
“Perfect. What looks good to you?” he says, plucking the silver lids off the trays on the serving cart. I’ll set up your plate.
“Breakfast in bed, huh? Are you trying to win me over or something?”
Jake’s smile is quick, and his movements are a little too frantic. I’ve never seen him quite like this. I try to tell myself it makes perfect sense. The man just found out he’s the father of a two-month-old baby last night. The mother of his child is a woman he has only ever casually hooked up with. Oh, and she was too much of a coward to tell him the truth until after his son was born, so he’s probably understandably pissed with her.
“Jake…” say. “It’s okay if you’re mad at me. I expected you to be mad when I told you. Furious, even. It’s–”
“I’m just…” Jake closes his eyes, holding up a hand to stop me. “I’m processing. But I’m not mad. It’s not that. Could we keep moving forward like things are normal for now? It feels good that way. And I’d like it if we could just pause all the heavier stuff. For now.”