Chapter 23

23

Abrielle

I order breakfast to be delivered to Colver's apartment.

He's making phone calls, shelling out the news to those who need to know.

I can tell with each conversation he's getting more and more irritated.

It's not just about playing hockey when you get to his level. It comes with a lot of baggage. I guess I'm part of that baggage now.

By the time I finish eating, Colver is done with his phone calls.

He sits down on the coffee table across from me and grabs a hash brown I ordered for him and eats half in one giant bite.

Is it wrong to think he's sexy because of that?

Or am I just really turned on?

Or is it all the extra hormones pumping throughout my body?

Like I want to jump on him right now.

"You're going to the doctor today," Colver says. "Well, you're getting an ultrasound done. Confirm everything and make sure everything is okay. You can decide who you want your doctor to be from there. We just have to do this a certain way. Quietly. I fucking hate that, Abrielle."

"I think it's sexy," I blurt out.

He raises an eyebrow.

My face burns hot. "I mean… it's… it's different."

"Everything is different, kitten," he says and stands up.

Kitten.

My inner thighs tremble.

Him standing in front of me - even for a few seconds - all I can see is the outline of his cock. Inside his shorts. Unable to be hidden. I mean, let's just be honest here about that.

"I'm going to get changed and I'll drive you to your place so you can get changed too," he says. "They're waiting for us."

No waiting for an appointment?

Now that's kind of cool.

I guess getting knocked up by a hockey player has a few perks.

It's literally a no waiting situation.

And it's not a normal doctor's office vibe either.

It's a calm, quiet office that smells super clean and has a totally relaxing aura to it.

We're met by a gorgeous woman with perfect hair, seductive dark brown eyes, pouty lips, wearing a professional type of dress that hugs her body in ways that seem unfair.

"Is this really happening, Colver?" she asks.

There's a sparkle in her eyes. I mean, I get how good looking Colver is, but I'm the one who is freshly pregnant, super emotional, insanely hormonal, and I'm not sure there's enough Pilates classes in the world for me to take to look half as good as this woman.

"Can't stop anything from me," Colver says.

"That's just stupid to say," the beautiful woman says.

I agree with her.

"My cervix isn't a goalie net," I say.

That makes the woman laugh.

"This is Abrielle," Colver says. "And Abrielle, this is Dr. Whitney."

"Abrielle," Dr. Whitney says to me as she offers a hand. "That's a great name. It rolls off the tongue. Beautiful name."

I shake hands with Dr. Whitney and I instantly feel comfortable. "Thank you. And, yes, it's true. I slept with Colver Caspian and he got me pregnant. But don't worry, it was all planned out. We're going to get married, buy a house, have four more kids. At least. It's going to be amazing."

Dr. Whitney and I look at Colver.

I kid you not, his face is turning pale.

"We're so in love right now, aren't we?" I ask Colver.

"Stop it, Abrielle," Dr. Whitney says. "He looks ready to pass out."

I smile at Colver.

Sometimes it's nice to push back at the huge, mean hockey player.

"So, let's stick with the current day's plans," Dr. Whitney says to me. "You've taken some pregnancy tests?"

"More than a few."

"All are positive?"

"Every single one."

"Normal symptoms… missed your period…"

"Yup," I say. "Getting sick too. Randomly though. Mostly in the afternoon. Is that normal?"

"Morning sickness does not have to happen in the morning," Dr. Whitney says. "So, I get to say something fun now that will drive Colver crazy too."

"Oh?" I ask.

"This is the part where I tell you take your pants and panties off for me."

That makes me laugh.

We look at Colver again and this time he's pissed off.

He's not a fan of being on the end of a joke or two.

"Colver, fair warning, I have to use a transvaginal wand. I promise, you have nothing to worry about. She'll like you better."

Oh, I really like this woman…

"Can we just get this going?" Colver growls.

Dr. Whitney and I laugh at Colver.

It feels good to laugh at him.

Partly because it's rare to have that feeling of control over him.

But also because I secretly like when he gets angry.

I'm not sure there's anything hotter in the world than Colver being pissed off, staring at me, eyes smoldering like he's two seconds away from fucking me.

I'm pregnant and he's my only chance at a man touching me.

So… what are you waiting for, Colver?

The wand is inside me.

It's a weird feeling.

I'm staring at the ultrasound screen.

This place is so laid back and casual. There are no posters on the walls. Nothing selling medicines or treatments. It's almost like a hotel room in a way.

And Dr. Whitney is the one doing the ultrasound.

I like that a lot.

I'm also confident that my healthcare plan would not cover a second of this. I'm not sure it could afford me even parking in the parking lot.

I have no idea how this is being handled or paid for or what.

Dr. Whitney is focused.

The screen is snowy and then it's not.

There's a black circular shape and Dr. Whitney points to the screen.

"There you go," she says.

"What?" Colver asks.

"That's your baby, Colver," Dr. Whitney says.

He leans forward, hovering over me.

"That's the baby," I whisper.

There's a little white blob shape on the screen.

"That's it," Dr. Whitney says. "I'm going to take some measurements here. Then we'll listen to the heartbeat. And I'll print some pictures for you."

"She's fucking pregnant," Colver whispers.

"I pissed on two hundred tests!" I cry out. "What did you think?"

"Colver, do you need a lesson in how this works?" Dr. Whitney asks.

"I can explain it," I say. "I did once before."

"I don't need an explanation," Colver growls.

Dr. Whitney begins to press buttons and draw lines on the screen.

She moves really fast.

When it's time to listen to the heartbeat, my heart starts to race.

The second I hear the whooshing sound, my eyes fill with tears.

That makes it really real for me.

"Strong heartbeat," Dr. Whitney says. "Right where we want it to be. I'm just going to say it right now. This is a very healthy pregnancy. Everything is perfect."

Dr. Whitney removes the wand from my body.

I don't even feel it.

I just stare at the screen.

She prints pictures for Colver and I.

She hands them to me and Colver rips them out of my hand.

He turns and stares down.

"What an asshole," Dr. Whitney whispers to me.

I start to smile but suddenly stop.

Wait a second…

Dr. Whitney is a baby doctor.

How does…

"You okay, Abrielle?"

"This is really stupid to ask, but how do you two know each other?" I ask.

Colver turns his head.

Dr. Whitney looks at him.

My stomach drops.

OhGod. Don't tell me these two used to date and fuck and all that…

"My best friend is an orthopedic surgeon that works for the team," Dr. Whitney says. "She set Colver and I up on a date."

My face burns hot with jealousy that shouldn't matter.

"Relax," Dr. Whitney says to me. "He stood me up."

"I thought it was the next night," Colver says.

"He's lying," Dr. Whitney says. "I showed up to a hockey practice and confronted him. Then we went out for dinner that night. No offense to you, Abrielle, but I couldn't get through the appetizers with him. He's damn rude. And just obnoxious."

"You're one to talk," Colver says. "You looked like you stepped off a fucking runway from some weird clothing show or something. You've got a million dollar desire when I've got a beers and wings vibe."

"So nothing happened," I say.

"Really?" Colver asks. "You're worried about who I've fucked?"

"We did not do that," Dr. Whitney says. "We didn't even kiss. It was a disaster of a date."

"So I casually would see her because of her friend," Colver says. "That's it."

I swallow hard. "I didn't need to do that just now. Sorry about that."

"No worries," Dr. Whitney says. "Pregnancy comes with a lot of emotions. A lot of hormones. A lot of changes. And being near Colver all the time? You deserve an award for that." She stands up and smiles. "I'll let you get dressed and we'll set up your next appointment. Sound good?"

"Thank you," I say.

Then it's just Colver and I alone in the room.

He's still holding the ultrasound pictures.

"I'm pregnant," I say.

"I can see that," he says.

"And you went out with the doctor? Really?"

"If you're that jealous over a date that went nowhere… you're in big trouble, kitten."

"Gross. Manwhore."

"No. I enjoy myself."

"Yeah? Are you going to continue to do that? Because on my end…"

I shrug my shoulders.

This is the perfect moment for Colver to close in on me and touch my face. Then touch my belly and tell me he's mine. That I'm his. We don't have to declare love and forever, but we can have this time right now.

Instead of doing any of that, Colver hands me the ultrasound pictures and he leaves the room.

I look at the ultrasound picture.

Dr. Whitney added text to the first picture.

CONGRATS!

I blink fast and touch my stomach.

I have to believe that Colver will always protect our baby.

But as far as I go…?

I feel like I'm just an emotional rental for him right now.

Less than nine months to go and I'll be completely invisible.