25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

MIA

E verybody returns to the wives' room to pick up their kids, and poor Amanda looks overwhelmed helping to manage twelve energic youngsters of all ages.

"You're relieved of your duties, my friend!" I place a hand on her shoulder, and she lets out a huge sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness their moms are back. I was going nuts," Amanda laughs nervously. "At least at a slumber party, I can make them go to sleep!"

I offer her a grateful smile as we watch the families reuniting. Senna is still bouncing non-stop on the trampoline. Ethan joins in, kicking off his shoes and hopping on.

Amanda and I approach, finding Simon trying to persuade Ethan to get out. "Sir, it has a weight limit," Simon explains, trying to be polite.

"If it breaks, I'll buy you a new one," Ethan says with a shrug, exerting his billionaire powers.

When Simon looks at me with exasperation, I just give him a smile and a shrug. "Ethan, can Senna stay with you tonight?" I ask him. As he turns to look at me, he loses his balance and plops down in the trampoline.

"Why?" Ethan asks, righting himself and bouncing up and down with Senna.

"I need a night out with Amanda." I gesture towards her. Amanda looks surprised to be invited out.

"Do you want a sleepover with daddy, buddy?" Ethan asks Senna in mid-jump.

"Sure!" Senna says, out of breath.

"Is this to make up for me not being included at the players' party?" Amanda teases, raising an eyebrow.

"A little," I admit, wrapping my arm around hers. "You're far better company."

I turn around, spot Simon, and wave him back over.

"Yes, ma'am?" he responds promptly.

"Can you handle closing up? I think I'm going to go ahead and take some extra time," I request.

He nods immediately. "Of course. I'm happy to see you finally taking some time off. You deserve a break."

Relieved, I thank him and guide Amanda out of the wives' room and away from the bustling crowd.

"How was the place you guys went to?" Amanda asks as we stroll through the now-empty hallways of the arena.

"It was great, actually. The food was delicious," I reply, and then feel a pang or guilt. "It sucks that you couldn't go."

Amanda shrugs, resigned. "I'm getting used to it."

We step outside into the cool night air, and Amanda reaches into her purse for her phone.

"Whatcha doing?" I ask.

"Calling a ride!" Amanda announces, waving her phone at me. "If we're having a girls' night out, let's do it in style. I'm taking you to a place Ethan and I used to go whenever he played here."

"Oh!" I say, surprised. I continue, "Have I apologized for taking Ethan from you?"

"Don't be silly," she interjects, lightly swatting my arm. "I'm genuinely happy for you both."

A red sedan rounds the corner, and Amanda flags it down. The driver is the quiet type and barely greets us. I can't make out the destination when Amanda tells the driver.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" I ask as we pull away.

"To the Rustic Tavern," Amanda replies eagerly. "It's a cozy spot with great food and live music."

"Sounds interesting," I say, curious.

Amanda continues, "The atmosphere is really inviting. The owner personally welcomes guests, and they have a live band playing tonight."

Intrigued by Amanda's description, I nod. "Sounds like a fun place. I'm excited to check it out."

When we arrive ten minutes later, the sound of live music greets us as we enter. The tavern's warm interior, adorned with soft lighting and rustic decor, helps me relax.

We find our table, and a friendly waitress promptly takes our drink orders.

"I'll have a glass of your house red," Amanda orders. "And Mia, what would you like?"

"Do you serve Shirley Temples?" I inquire.

"Oh, come on!" Amanda begs of me. "You are at a tavern and not going to drink?"

"I… can't, Amanda," I admit, feeling myself blush.

Amanda blinks in confusion.

I turn to the waitress to confirm the order. She nods, saying she'll be back shortly.

I turn back to Amanda, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Amanda…" I begin, my voice shaky.

She takes me hand and squeezes it, concern in her eyes. "Please don't scare me, Mia. What's going on?"

I greet my teeth, bowing my head. "I made a promise to myself that Ethan would be the first to know, but I don't know how to tell him." A look of apprehension takes over her face, and I decide to get straight to the point. "I'm pregnant, Amanda. It's Ethan's."

She covers her mouth in shock. Overwhelmed, I seize the moment the drinks arrive to drown my nerves in the sugary drink.

"How do you think he will react?" I ask her, my voice wavering.

Amanda lowers her gaze, staring into her glass of wine. With a sigh, she finally says, "He doesn't handle surprises well."

I feel a wave of mortification, as if my worst fear has just been confirmed.

"How did he react to Senna?" I ask, my shoulders sagging.

"He didn't speak to me for three days," she snorts. "But it was just shock. I think change scares him. He always has a tough time in the few first games of every season when he is on a new team."

"So, how should I tell him?" I hang on to her every word.

"Just say it!" Amanda urges. "It's better than hiding it. He'll adjust. And if he's head over heels for you as much as I think, you'll form quite the nice family."

She winks at me, but I sigh, still unsure.

"I know he wants something serious, but I don't want him to feel obligated because I'm pregnant," I confess, feeling sorrowful.

"Did he ask you to be his girlfriend?" Amanda sips her wine.

"Yes." I take another sugary sip of my drink. "I told him I needed time."

"But nothing about the pregnancy?" She looks at me, tilting her head.

"I told him I have something important to tell him." I lean my head on my hand. "But I also said I needed time to do it. I don't know what to do."

Amanda shakes her head, fingers at her temples, looking at me as if I'm overthinking.

"Ethan is already bracing for the worst, Mia," she asserts. "Please, stop torturing him."

I lower my head, staring into my almost empty glass. I signal to the waitress that I want a second one, contemplating Amanda's advice.

She's right. I shouldn't keep on stalling anymore, but her admitting that Ethan doesn't handle surprises well isn't helping me feel any better.