Chapter 7

chapter

seven

Charlotte

Four months later…

"Seriously, Chels, I'm gonna need you to swallow that hot dog whole or go sit somewhere else," I say.

My sister rolls her eyes and then takes an enormous bite of her snack.

I put my hand on my belly. "It's not my fault that the smell and thought of processed meats makes me want to vomit."

She swallows hard. "I thought morning sickness was mostly a first trimester thing."

I shrug. "I'm not getting sick as often, but still the smell of that is just grossing me out."

She throws it in an empty popcorn bucket and sets it under our seats. "Sorry. I won't have any more. I don't want to upset baby. I'm going to be his or her favorite aunt."

"You'll be the only aunt."

"Not technically. Didn't you say that the father has two sisters?"

"Yes, but how will the baby ever meet them?"

"I don't know. But I haven't given up hope for you yet."

"What about you? When are you going to go to Saddle Creek and knock some sense into JD? You have to know he feels the same way about you."

"I do not know that. Listen, the man had three years here in Austin to make a move and he didn't."

"But he did ask you to move with him."

"Not move with HIM. Move with the company. And he asked everyone. It wasn't just me. I'm just another employee to JD Granger and he can kiss my ass."

"He'd probably like that," I mutter.

"You think Brendan realizes how little we actually pay attention to his games?" Chelsea asks, ignoring my comment.

"In our defense, this isn't even a real game, just a practice. We'll be more attentive during the actual season."

"True. Also, since it's as hot as Satan's asshole outside, it's nice to be in here with the ice."

I laugh. "You're a nut."

She shoulder bumps me.

I glance at the ice in time to see Brendan block a shot. Our brother is the goalie for the Texas Tornadoes, the newest team in professional hockey.

Shelby and I cheer. The buzzer goes off and the game is over. The arena is still mostly full though despite the fact this is just one of the practice games that's open to the public. My sister grabs my hand though and pulls me away from our seats.

"I want to get to the tunnel before they're attacked for autographs and pictures," she says.

"Brendan said we didn't have to meet him after this game."

"I know. But he'll be excited that we're wearing his jersey."

I laugh. "Yes, because that's what every man wants, his sisters wearing his jersey."

"Well, whatever. It's his fault he's single."

Even leaving the stands when we did, we're still not the first family members in the tunnel. I wave to the wives and girlfriends clumped together on the far wall of the tunnel.

Some of them give me a fake smile in return while a couple of others seem genuine enough.

Suddenly the noise increases as the players begin to enter the area. I'm searching for my brother, who should be easy to find since he's the biggest guy out of all of them. Partly because a goalie's pads are massive, but also because he's just a damn beast.

The guys are loud, giving each other shit as they trail in, helmets and sticks in hand.

My heart flips as I see a head of familiar hair. But that doesn't make any sense, why would Max—I haven't even finished thinking the question when the man in question turns. It is Max. How is it Max?

His face turns and shock freezes me to my spot.

He sees me though. He drops his gear, picks me up and kisses the hell out of me.

"Charlotte," he breathes my name against my mouth. "How did you—l"

"Coleman! What the fuck are you doing to my sister?" Brendan barks.

Max leans back, then turns us to face his captain and my brother.

"Oh shit," Shelby mutters.

My brother looks furious. "Put her down," he grits out each word through his teeth.

"Brendan, not now," I plead.

Max puts me down but doesn't take his eyes off of me. "Fuck, you're beautiful. Give me your phone."

"What?"

"Your phone, Charlotte. I'm not letting you get away without your number this time."

"Oh, double shit," Shelby says.

I hand Max my phone and he sends himself a text.

Then he leans down and presses a quick, but heated kiss to my lips. "This isn't over."

"What's not over is me ripping your fucking head off, Coleman!" Brendan roars. "Get your ass in the locker room. Now!"

Max seems completely unfazed by my brother losing his mind over our reunion. He winks at me and walks down into the belly of the arena.

Brendan glares at Max until he disappears into the building. Then he turns that glare to me.

"Do we really have to do this right now?" I ask.

My brother comes close enough that no one else but me and Shelby will be able to hear him. "I'm assuming that's the father?"

I nod.

Shelby squeals like she's at a Taylor Swift concert.

"Did you know?"

"Did I know what? That he was on your team?" I snap.

Brendan nods.

"Yes, and I've just been pretending not to know how to find him these last four months. Don't be an idiot, Brendan. Of course I didn't know."

"He's a fucking kid, Charlie. What were you thinking?"

I shake my head. "Absolutely not. You do not get to shame me for this. First of all, he's a fully grown adult man."

"Amen," Shelby says.

I ignore her and continue speaking to my brother in a quiet voice. "I am also an adult, and you are not in charge of either me or Max. I'll kindly remind you that I'm your older sister, so show me some respect!"

Brendan's jaw tightens. "I'm in charge of him. I'm his captain."

"On the ice," I say. "You know what, this is actually not a conversation for you and me to have. Leave Max alone and don't you fucking dare tell him before I get a chance to."

"Yeah," Shelby says.

Because now I've found my baby's father. Now I can tell him. The weight of that falls off my shoulders. I hadn't realized how much it had been affecting me, not knowing how to get in touch with him to tell him about the baby.

I grab her arm and pull her out of the tunnel with me. She's remarkably quiet all the way to my car.

Then she turns to me, smile as wide as the big Texas sky.

"Holy shit, girl. That man is sex on a candy-coated stick. I mean stupid hot."

"Like a cross between a football player and an underwear model was my first impression."

"Or a hockey player, as it turns out."

"Yep, didn't see that one coming."