Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Elliot

I hate that I sent Bradley to do my job, but I'm not ready to face Alex yet.

So, I'm doing Bradley's job.

I'm making Alex's welcome-back basket. While I have his likes and dislikes in a file on my phone, I don't need it. I know his favorite coffee place, his favorite snacks, and that he needs to have an endless supply of blue Powerade. I know that he loves the ice cream shop on Martin and all about his favorite stick tape, which isn't the one provided by the team. I ordered a box last season to ensure he always had extra if he ran out, so I make certain to include that in his basket.

"I finished," Bradley says, startling me a bit. I'm on edge, and I'm glad he's in here. He can give Alex the basket.

"Cool. AirDrop me everything, and I'll get to work," I say as I place the basket in Alex's locker, making sure the card from the team and staff is front and center.

"I didn't buy any of that," Bradley says, and I nod, pulling my shirt out a bit.

It's becoming a nervous habit of mine.

"I know. Take back what you bought. This is the stuff he likes."

Bradley's blond brows pull in as he looks over at me and all the bags I have of Alex's favorite things. "I don't understand."

"Trust me, Cruz will love all this."

"I guess," he says sadly, and I hate that he went out of his way to shop for Alex, but everything he got wasn't personal. I want Alex to know we're excited that he's back and proud of his accomplishments in Nashville. What better way than a basket full of his favorite things? I know for a fact that he's probably beating himself up for being sent back down, and I hate that. He's so talented, and I can't help the excitement that courses through me at the thought of winning the Cup in the team's second year.

What an accomplishment that will be.

He'll get the Cup and a baby…

Ignoring my flight instinct at that thought, I clean up my mess while my phone dings with all the assets Bradley sends me. Once I am sure I've left no trash behind and I didn't knock over his pads, I'm pleased that the locker room looks the same as it did when I entered. I glance over at Bradley. "Is he still in the press conference?"

Bradley checks his phone and, after a moment, answers, "Yes."

"Cool. I'm heading to my office. Make sure you get a photo of him with his basket."

"You don't want to do it?"

"No. I've got work to do."

All a lie. I'd taken the day off to spend with my sisters, but that went to hell with the return of Alejandro Cruz. Without a second thought, I head out the back entrance of the locker room and lean against the wall. No one comes this way since it leads to the service elevator, and it's a bit of a walk back to the offices. Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I want to hear Alex when he sees the basket. I pull my shirt out once more as I open my phone to make sure the videos Bradley shot are usable. They're not what I would have done, but they will work and they also kept me from having to face Alex.

Which is pathetic.

If I can't even film him, how in the world am I going to tell him about his child?

God, this is ridiculous.

This isn't me. I am a strong, incredible woman. I'm not one to be scared of a situation or even a dude. Yeah, I don't have the best track record and I've been hurt many times, but I have never been shy about being honest. But for the last six months, I've done just that. So fucking annoying. Maybe I am ashamed. Maybe I should have gotten an abortion, but just the thought sends a million stabs of pain into my heart. I love this child. I don't even know them, but I love them. I may have never wanted to be owned, but this child owns my heart wholly and I want to be their mom.

I want them to have a dad.

I need to be honest.

When my phone dings, I see that it's Louisa.

Louisa: I packed all your stuff, and Ciaran took it to Coleson's place. Stop by before you head over so I can give you the key, and I wasn't sure which books you wanted.

I furrow my brows.

Me: Wow. You want me out so badly, you couldn't even let me pack my shit?

Louisa: Stop. You seemed super stressed, and I wanted to help. I'm sorry if you feel I'm kicking you out since I don't want that to be the case. I'd love to live with you for the rest of my life, but I doubt you want to walk in on Ciaran and me banging on the table.

I grimace. I heard the stories from Eliza. Louisa and Ciaran not only love romance books, but they also love to recreate their favorite smutty scenes.

I love my sister, but no thanks.

I'm surprised she's not knocked up yet.

Louisa: Honestly, if my appointment next week for my ankle goes well, we're gonna start trying for a baby.

I blink.

Me: Louisa, I'd rather have heard that from you, not through text.

Louisa: I'm a mess, honestly. I just feel so many things, and I'm scared.

So maybe my feelings are normal. At least, that's what my doctor says. She says it's worse since I'm not medicated and I'm feeling everything. Maybe I'm not a big baby. Maybe I'm just doing the best I can with what I've got going on.

Though, my issues don't excuse the fact that I haven't told anyone I'm pregnant.

Me: You're fine. You're awesome. All will be great. No worries. I've got another hour here, and I'll head that way.

Louisa: Fantastic. I'm sorry if I upset you.

Me: It's fine.

Louisa: I love you.

Me: I love you more.

Before I can click off Louisa's text thread, I hear his voice. "Is that for me?"

I lean my head back into the wall as my eyes drift shut. His voice is like jalape?o butter, all smooth but with a spicy flair.

Great. Now I'm hungry.

"It is," Bradley says proudly.

There is a pause before Alex states, "You didn't make this."

"No. Elliot McDavid did."

Wow, dude just tossed me under the bus. My heart speeds up, and of course, my kiddo kicks me right in the ribs. I rub the spot to soothe them as I listen intently.

"Where is she?"

"In her office," Bradley says, and I'll need to have a talk with that little shit. Just throwing my business out like it's his to give. "She had work to do."

Alex snorts. "I'm sure she did."

I bite into my lip as I hold my breath.

"Her office hasn't changed, has it?"

Oh shit.

"Nope."

"Good," he says in a way that I know means he has a full-out smirk on his lips.

My stomach clenches. I've got to get out of here. I can do everything I need to in the car since there is no way in hell I'm ready to face him yet. By the tone of his voice, I know he is going to head straight to my office. I can't be there. Not yet. I need to figure out how I am going to tell him the truth. I need to make sure I've got my wits about me because I am fully aware of how charming Alejandro Cruz is.

I push off the wall and start down the hall, but before I can get even another step away, an arm snakes around my waist, and I'm yanked back into a hard chest.

I'm enveloped in a musky lemon and cedarwood smell. I know the scent is Tom Ford for Men. Just as I know whose arms are around me. Whose chest is against my back. Whose mouth is by my ear. My body betrays me as I lean into him, having missed his contact for so long. Craving it at night when I feel so alone, but then his hands slide down my sides.

Instantly, I go still as thick lips move along the shell of my ear, and my breath catches.

"Mmm…" My heart stops dead in my chest before he whispers, "Miss me, mami ?"