37. Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

MIA

I didn't quite know what to expect when I took the contract with the Iron Huskies. Follow the team around? Well, check. Making it all the way to the Stanley Cup final in Vegas? No, I don't think that was in the plans.

But then again, falling in love with my ex's brother and getting pregnant wasn't in the agenda either, though that turned out to be a fortunate turn of events.

It's shaping up to be quite the family get together.

My parents are here, along with Glenda and Thomas. Ryan is also here, parading around with some blond. Of course, Amanda, Senna, and now James are here too.

Who would have guessed I'd end up making so many friends on this journey?

We've been in Vegas for three days now, and Ethan and I have barely seen each other. He is fully immersed in preparations with his team, while I'm busy with the pre-game celebrations. The team is betting everything on winning, and it would be impressive, as the Iron Huskies have come undefeated all the way from home.

I have my dream job, great friends, a wonderful man, and a bun in the oven. I'm grateful and learning to appreciate life more each day, but right now, I have more pressing matters at hand.

I'm spread thin between the arena and the venue for tomorrow's afterparty. My lunch break consists of a quick meal of a hamburger, fries, and a soda in the fast-food parking lot. Afterward, I head back to the hotel's business center to meet with the Iron Huskies' management. We need to review the expenses and finalize my payment for organizing the events during the Stanley Cup games.

What should be a simple task takes five hours, and I leave with my head spinning, knowing I still have more work to do.

I stop at the lounge, order a Shirley Temple, and call Tania at my home office to check if the money transfers went through.

Just as I'm wrapping up the call, someone pokes my shoulder, and I look back startled.

"Amanda!" I mouth silently, as I smile. I lift a finger. "One sec!"

I finish my call with Tania, giving final instructions. Amanda plops Senna down onto the stool next to me, then sits on the other side of him, leaving him between us. After ordering him a soda, she turns to me.

"Glenda is driving me crazy," Amanda says with a long sigh. Her face is priceless, and I definitely can relate.

"Ugh, what did she do now?" I ask, sipping my Shirley Temple.

But Amanda flushes red, as if she regrets even mentioning it to me.

"Glenda said that you're always so busy and asked if you really have time to support Ethan and your baby properly," Amanda finally says, her eyes downcast.

My mouth drops open. Senna, sipping his drink, looks at me and giggles. "Close your mouth, Aunt Mia!" Only then do I snap out of it and close my mouth. As I do, I feel my jaw tighten as I clench my teeth.

But my mouth doesn't stay shut for long. "That snake!" I can't contain myself. "How dare she say that. What was she thinking?"

"I know right?" Amanda is indignant. Senna watches us, and Amanda strokes his hair distractedly. "I don't know why she would say something like that to me. It's not like she ever pretended to be my friend while Ethan and I were married."

I'm furious and feel as if I'm fuming so hot that smoke can be seen coming out of my ears and nostrils. Senna seems to be amused by the faces I'm making, laughing non-stop despite his mom's protests. Trying to lighten the mood, I make an intentionally silly face at him, but my anger is still strong as ever.

"I can't bother Ethan with all of this right now," I murmur, rubbing my forehead and watching as Amanda's exasperation grows.

"Do you think it's worth talking to her about?" she asks, trying to be helpful.

"Ha! You know better than anyone that woman doesn't listen to reason." I'm bordering on hysterics and decide to order another Shirley Temple to steady my nerves.

"Ugh, I'm sorry…" Amanda apologizes. "I shouldn't have brought this up."

"No, no, you did the right thing. I am pretty sure the best course of action with Glenda is just to ignore her snide remarks, so that's what I'm going to do."

"Still, I should have thought it through on how to tell you," she continues, frowning.

My second Shirley Temple arrives, and Amanda orders one for herself. After downing half the drink in one gulp and stifling a burp, I try ease the tension.

"Glenda is just too much to handle!" I joke.

Amanda and I laugh, and even Senna forces a laugh to join in.

"Grandma Glenda is funny!" he pipes up unexpectedly.

"What do you mean, Senna?" I ask, leaning toward him.

"Because she's always saying funny things about you and mom!"

We ask Senna a million questions until he is too bored to answer anything else. From there, I bid them goodbye and head to my room, turning on the TV before plopping down on the bed. Kicking off my shoes, I curl into a ball, still clutching my purse. When my phone buzzes with a notification, I reach for it and smile when I see it's a text from Ethan.

I'm so bored I could eat an igloo!

Confused, I text him back. What do you mean? That doesn't even make sense!

If you can't understand it, then you're not as bored as me. Ethan texts back with a wink emoji. Are you done working?

Leaning my head against the pillow, I type. Just called it a day. I'm ready to just soak in the tub and then go to bed to rest for tomorrow.

I immediately see him texting back. Yeah, we are supposed to be resting too, but we're having beers and playing poker in Ruslav's room.

I snort. Let me guess. Ruslav is the butt of any jokes, right? Poor guy can't catch a break with you guys!

After a moment, Ethan texts back. That's what happens when you're a rookie! Then he sends another text. I feel like sneaking out.

I gasp, bringing a hand to my mouth after reading that. If he's tired for tomorrow it could ruin their game, and nobody wants that.

No, Ethan! I scold. Enjoy your poker game and go to bed!

Nope… Ethan sends, along with a devil face emoji. I wanna go to the desert and drivearound the Ferrari I rented. You're welcome to join me.

I groan, flustered but excited. My body is aching, but then again, I'll be just sitting in a luxury car, right?

When? I ask, feeling mischievous.

Half an hour, he texts back. Meet you at the lobby.

I end up heading to the lobby fifteen minutes early. My feet ache when Ethan finds me. He pulls me in for a kiss, then takes me by the shoulders, guiding me outside.

"Love having a partner in crime!" he grins, squeezing me close.

"I definitely feel like an accomplice." I laugh, taking his arm.

The valet brings the car. I don't understand the appeal—Ferraris are beautiful, but they're just cars meant to get you from point A to point B. Still, men seem to get overjoyed around expensive cars, and I can play along.

Ethan puts the pedal to the metal as soon as the road clears, making it obvious what he really wants from this ride: speed.

"How fast can it go?" I shout over the powerful engine's roar.

"I'd love to show you, but…" Ethan's trails off.

"Well, why not?" I ask.

"You're pregnant!" Ethan says, defensively. "I want to be on the safe side, you know."

"Hey!" I slap his arm lightly. "I'm pregnant, not a delicate little flower!"

He veers off the road soon, rolling through and kicking up dust over deserted land lit by a sunset's orange, mauve, and purple rays.

"You want to play it safe, yet you take me on this roller coaster of a ride?" I snort.

"Too much?" He slows down then comes to a stop. He reaches out a hand, offering me a water bottle full of ice cold water with a grin.

"No, it was fun," I assure him, return the bottle back to its holder. "It's just it made me feel a little queasy at times."

I pat my stomach, and Ethan places his hand on top of mine. Unbuckling his seatbelt in a quick movement, he leans over me, putting an ear against my belly.

"I did this with Amanda when she was pregnant with Senna," he confesses, caressing my stomach.

"Hmm," I giggle, stroking his hair. "I like how you and Amanda are still friends. It shows how much you value the important things."

He meets my eyes, suddenly serious. Placing a finger over my lips, he whispers, "And let's never forget how important our love is, okay?"

"Okay," I beam, smiling, my lips trembling as I hold back tears.

He moves his fingers from my lips and kisses me tenderly and deeply, leaving me breathless and warm.

When we break apart, Ethan is looking at me with a suggestive smile. I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what he is thinking.

"Do you see how long and roomy the hood is?" he jokes seductively, raising an eyebrow.

"Sex on the hood of a Ferrari? Really?" I ask back, incredulous.

Ethan takes my hands into his, kisses them, and pleads, "What will it take to convince you?"

I pretend to think about it, but when he hungrily kisses me, I lose my trail of thought.

Turns out, not that much.