Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

Alex

Elliot is waiting for me in the den where the players usually hang out, tapping on her phone. She doesn't hear me coming toward her, so I take a moment to drink her in. I have to make up for all the months I didn't have that chance, when all I had was her Instagram and photos I snuck. When she moves to her side, stretching out her leg, her face twists in pain before she bends over. Then she pokes at the side of her belly and glares at her stomach.

"Stop it, you."

I grin, snapping a photo of her scolding our baby, looking too damn cute. "It giving you problems?"

She jumps a bit, her eyes looking up to meet mine. "It's been getting in my ribs real bad."

I hold out my hand to her, not that she needs it to get up, mostly because I want to hold her hand. She takes it as she rises, threading her fingers with mine. "I was looking in town for a place to do a 3-D ultrasound to find out what it is, if you want." She squeezes my hand, and I add with a laugh, "I don't like calling our baby an it."

A smile pulls at her lips. "Yeah, but we don't have to go in, unless you want to see it in 3-D. I even have some ultrasound photos at the apartment."

"Oh?"

"Yup. Plus, they know the gender at the doctor."

"Oh," I say, giddiness warming my chest. "So, we can find out next week."

She nods, and I can see the excitement moving across her features. Her lips turn up at the sides, her eyes widen with anticipation, and a warm blush fills her cheeks. "We can."

I lean my shoulder into her, loving how happy she looks. I'm still worried that she's freaking out internally. I hated the way she froze when I asked where she wanted to live. I'm glad she didn't question my intentions, knowing that I want to be where she is. Still, though, it worries me that she is riddled with fear. That she now seems to be lacking in confidence, when my girl wasn't that way when I left. I feel as if it has a lot to do with all the changes, but I'm here. I can help. I wish she'd just hand her burdens to me, let me take care of her the way I want to so badly, but she's too prideful.

"That's exciting. I told Coach I would be late to practice that day," I tell her as the humid air hits us in the face when we walk outside. It rained all night, so the sun is unforgiving.

"Did you tell him why?"

I nod. "I did, which is crazy since I still haven't told my mom."

"You haven't?"

"No. I want to tell her in person, I think. I want her to meet you first."

"Oh," she says warily. "Do you think she'll hate me?"

"No. Why would she?"

"'Cause of how this all played out," she says dryly. She acts like I should have known that, but I don't see it her way.

"She doesn't need to know all the details. I'm not worried."

"I am," she mutters and then leans her head on my shoulder. "I have to tell my peepaw, which I am dreading."

"We can tell him together. Maybe invite him over for dinner. I'll make some homemade tortillas and guacamole, and he'll be so full, he won't be able to be too upset."

She grins. "As much as I want to believe that, I doubt it'll play out like that. But I really do want homemade tortillas and guac."

"I can make you some tonight," I tell her, squeezing her hand. "We can run by the store."

"And maybe I can give you a blowie in the kitchen?" she says with a sneaky little grin.

"I'll make you all the guac and tortillas you want to feel those sweet lips around my cock."

Her sneaky grin turns into a huge, bright one, and I feel like I'm taking pucks to the chest without padding. I love the smile that fills her face, and I realize I was going about this all wrong. The way to this girl's heart is through food. I bend down, kissing her nose, and her eyes drift shut as she leans into me. She looks so ethereal, so beautiful. I drag my lips along her nose to her lips, where I take them as if she's already agreed to give me everything I want.

Her days, her nights, her forever.

I cup her jaw with my free hand as her tongue slides along my bottom lip, and I deepen the kiss. I let go of her hand, gripping her hip as I pull her in closer. Her stomach presses into me, and there is no other feeling I want than Elliot's pregnant belly against mine.

That is, until I feel them kick.

I yank back, shocked, and I look down between us. My eyes are wider than ever as I drop my hands to her belly and hold her. When she covers my hands with hers, she moves one of my hands higher up on her ribs, and once more, I feel the kick. My heart soars, and I'm breathless as I feel them kick in sporadic intervals. My chest heaves, and tears blur my vision. It isn't that I didn't know a baby was in there; I did, but feeling them kick makes it even more real.

My voice is rough, quiet, as I whisper, "Hey now. That's a lot of kicking for a future hockey player."

Elliot's fingers thread with mine, and I look up to meet her gaze. Warmth and tranquility swirl in the eyes I've been dreaming about since she pushed me out of that hotel room. I want to be mad that I missed out on all this, that I wasn't there, but I can't bring myself to. Not when I'm utterly in love with her. I lean in, pressing my forehead to hers as our baby continues to kick like they're destined to be a soccer star. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but at the end of the day, I don't care as long as they're happy.

"I've been waiting for you to experience that," she whispers, stroking her fingers along the back of my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't let it happen sooner."

Her eyes are so sad, so full of remorse, it guts me. I wish things had been different. I wish I hadn't left, but everything happens for a reason. "That's our past. Let me have your forever, mami ."

Her eyes burn into mine, and hesitation is all over her sweet face. In a low, emotional voice, she whispers, "I don't want to get hurt, Alex."

"I won't hurt you," I promise. "But let's do this in steps, okay? Give me until August." I can see that she wants to, but I can also tell she wants to keep me at arm's length. "But don't agree if you won't truly try." Some kind of emotion moves in her gaze, and I kiss her nose. "Please."

"How can you read me so well?" she asks, her eyes searching mine.

"Because I love you."

Her breath catches as she leans into me, her nose gliding along mine as she clutches my shirt. Her eyes meet mine, and I see how badly she wants to agree. But something is holding her back. I know it's not her sisters—Ciaran said all of them are on my side—and I know it's not Dan because he doesn't even know about me. It's her past. I desperately want to know everything and reassure her I'm not going anywhere. I won't hurt her like her parents or the buttlickers she was with before me. I will be the pillar of her life. I will love her, and I will support her.

I just need her to give me a fucking chance.

She suddenly answers in a small voice, her face flushed and her eyes set on me. "Fine."

"Fine?"

"Fine," she says, her chest heaving hard against mine. "I'll try."

My heart explodes, excitement burning deep inside me as I hold her close. "You know you're going to give me your forever, right?"

Her lips tip up, but she fights it as she gives me a dry look. "I'm aware that could happen."

"It will," I tell her, kissing her nose once more, and my heart does a dance in my chest. It almost feels as if a pair of hands is molding my heart just for her. As I gaze into her eyes, I realize those are her hands on my heart.

Her smile.

Her soul.

Everything.

"And we're going to be so fucking happy."

This time, she truly smiles, and my heart skips a beat. "You think?"

"I know," I tell her, stroking her cheek. "I'm going to love you for the rest of my existence."

Her breath catches at that confession, and I take that moment to kiss her deeply.

As our lips duel and play, I know the game of Elliot McDavid is mine to win.

I only need her not to block all the shots I intend to make to ensure my victory.