19. Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

MIA

A fter completing my inspection of the Florida Serpents arena, which is conveniently close to the hotel, I decide to look for a place to have lunch. As I handle the rest of my tasks over the phone, I feel relieved that the nausea pills prescribed for my morning sickness are kicking in and providing much-needed relief.

Since it's easy to get around on foot, I leisurely stroll around, taking in the sights.

The game isn't until tomorrow, but there are already plenty of fans dressed in the local team's colors, sporting jerseys, jackets, t-shirts, and caps.

The energy of hockey is everywhere. I wish I could absorb some of it. Carrying the weight of this secret, along with the constant flying back and forth, is exhausting. My thoughts drift back to Ethan last night and how sweet he'd been. I appreciate his patience, but I am still terrified of his reaction. We haven't been dating that long, and now I have to tell him I'm pregnant?

I'm still trying to wrap my own mind around it.

A street vendor is selling themed goods right in front of the hotel, and with him, I spot a familiar face buying an Iron Huskies flag.

"Ryan!" I call out. As CEO of a sponsor team and being brothers with an NHL player on the team, I know he wants to follow the games when he can, but I didn't expect to see him here today.

He's been missing earlier games due to work commitments, often sending another executive to represent the company instead. This might be my chance to tell him about dating Ethan, though the knot of anxiety in my stomach suggests otherwise.

"Mia!" he exclaims with enthusiasm. "How are you doing?"

He moves in for a hug, but I dodge his advance, shaking his hand instead.

"Tired," I admit. "Here to see the game?"

"Yup," he nods energetically. "There'll also be a photo shoot with the players and sponsors. I'm gonna be on the ice."

He fist-bumps the air with the childish glee that once made me fall in love with him. But I wince at the thought, realizing I feel nothing for him now. The closer I grow to Ethan, the more my anger for Ryan subsides. I know I have to take advantage of this opportunity to tell him.

"Did you have lunch yet?" I ask Ryan, feeling my core shake but trying to hide my nerves.

"No, I was just heading to a nearby café. Wanna join me?" he asks.

"Sure." I force a smile.

The café is within walking distance. It's packed, but we manage to get a table on the sidewalk and soon we're sipping iced coffee with delicious croissants.

"I have something to tell you, Ryan." My serious tone catches him off-guard, and he swallows down his food with coffee to avoid choking.

"How serious of a something?" he asks, giving me a curious stare.

I'm dating your brother and I'm pregnant with his baby.

That's the first thought that bursts in my brain but luckily, I don't say that.

"Ethan and I, Ryan…" I stall, stirring my coffee. "We've grown closer, and well, things evolved."

That should be enough for the penny to drop, but Ryan continues to look at me with a clueless expression.

"We're dating, Ryan," I finally blurt out, a bit more aggressively than I meant to.

Ryan blinks rapidly, processing the news. A minute passes, and I wonder if he still hasn't understood what I said.

"For how long?" He avoids my eyes and sips his coffee again.

"We decided to start seeing each other the day before the Timberwolves game," I inform him. "So, about five weeks."

Keeping his eyes down, Ryan shoves the last of his croissant into his mouth. With his mouth full, he asks, "It's that serious that I need to know?"

"He thought it was, Ryan," I reply, trying to sound calm.

"What do you think?" he asks, finishing his coffee without looking at me.

I sigh, my gaze wandering through the crowd surrounding us. "I really like him, Ryan."

He goes quiet for a moment. Still not looking at me, he crosses his arms on the table before asking, "More than you liked me?"

I shake my head immediately. "Please stop comparing yourself to your brother. You always do that!"

Ryan flushes red but takes a deep breath and continues, "Let me pick up the bill. I have business to attend to now."

"Sure," I nod politely.

Between the waiter bringing the bill and us leaving, there is a long and awkward silence that leaves me exasperated and sad. Still, the deed is done. I've told Ryan about us.

Now I need to find a way to tell Ethan about the baby.

Ryan disappears inside the business center, and I decide to go to the lounge. Suddenly, I'm feeling overwhelmed. I sit at the bar, order a Shirley Temple, and start to cry.

What will I do if Ethan rejects me?

I make good money and can raise a child on my own, but my busy schedule leaves little room for a baby, and Ethan already made it clear he isn't ready for another child anytime soon.

Everything is about to change.

There's a group of women sitting right behind me, chatting loudly. I don't pay them any mind until I hear Sarah's voice through the crowd.

She walks over and places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"You're the event planner right?" she says in a gentle, hushed tone. "Maya?"

"Mia." I wipe my eyes in my arm and force yet another smile. My makeup is probably ruined, but she doesn't mention it. "My name is Mia."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she smiles warmly. "Is everything okay? You've been crying for a few minutes now. We were all worried."

I swallow my tears and try to breathe through my congested nose. Sarah sounds much gentler than I imagined. My lonely side can't resist the urge to open up, but I can't tell her the truth.

Women gossip, and word would soon reach the players, including Ethan.

I can't have him find out that way.

"It's nothing," I dismiss her with a wave of my hand. "I'm just overworked and feeling a bit lonely. I left everything I know in Detroit to come on this trip."

"Well, we can solve the loneliness," Sarah offers, extending her hand. "Come join us. There's always room for one more."

Feeling a surge of gratitude, I take my drink with one hand, and Sarah's hand with the other.

However, my stomach sinks when we reach the table and Sarah offers me a seat. These women all are smiles, but beneath their designer clothes and purses, I sense they are judging me.

"Okay ladies, our friend Mia here is overworked and lonely. What can we do about it?" Sarah says, raising my hand high.

"Let's take her shopping!" suggests a gorgeous brunette.

I smile apologetically. "I'm sorry, I have work in the afternoon."

"That's why you're overworked," an older, still gorgeous woman, says. "C'mon, let's show you around Miami's hot spots."

I'm impressed at how beautiful all these women are, even the older ones. Hockey players seem to have good taste, and I feel proud of myself for being, at least temporarily, among them.