“You’re in the middle of a playoff run,” I reminded him.
“So?I’m only going to go to… How many sonograms do you have?”
“Well, since I’m healthy, not that many.”
Luka narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.“Right.So this is important.We get to find out what we’re having.”He squirmed.“I’d like that to be together.”His supplication melted my heart.
“I’d like that, too.”I bit my lip.“But I think she’s a girl.”
“Well, we’ll find out for sure together.”His smile beamed so brightly, I couldn’t help but be dazzled once again by Luka Stol.
Chapter3
Luka
Cruz tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as we headed home from Cormac’s house.We’d stayed longer than he probably wanted, but I liked hanging out with the guys, especially this time of year.
“Something’s up with management,” he said into the silence.
I sighed, still focused on my conversation with Millie and how I was going to manage to be in the fucking room when we found out our baby’s sex.I shifted in my seat.I wasn’t completely reassured by Millie’s comments that she was well and the baby was, too.
There were few things I’d wanted in life, and fewer still that I’d grabbed hold of with both hands.Hockey was one.The Wildcatters had been my dream team.But Coach’s frustration with my performance could have me well on my way to fucking up that dream.
“I saw Gunnar heading out of Coach’s office when I was up there.Figured there’s a trade in the works,” I said.I won’t let that happen.I can’t.I knew how to work hard.So I damn well better buckle down—with a brief break to go to Sri Lanka and see Millie in person.
Coach would never go for that.
Cruz grunted.“I know I’m supposed to stay open-minded about trades, but I like our team, our chemistry.Our playoff chances.”
“Me, too.”But it didn’t change the fact that my name was out there as a trade option.“What are you doing after the season?”I asked, suddenly desperate for something,anything, that wasn’t related to my new reality.
While we were at Cormac’s, Keelie’s cat, Slippers, had used my lap as her resting place, and I now swiped at the fur coating my pants.
My mind continued to whirl.I’d wanted more time with Millie, but I hadn’t expected our hookup to come with a lifetime connection.Millie thought we were having a baby girl.Agirl.I was having a daughter.Of course I was.And I wasexcited.Thrilled about meeting my daughter.
Last laugh on me there.I’d been more than happy to love and leave my share of women.But that had changed when I met Millie.She meant something to me.Somehow, during those days I’d spent getting to know her, she’d wormed her way inside.
I didn’t know if what I felt for Millie was love—anger, rejection, and frustration overpowered the sweeter emotion.But what I felt for my baby was pure adoration.I loved my baby.
Now and always.Even if I hadn’t already decided to be better about casual sex, the idea of my kid one day asking about my romantic life made me want to be a man she could respect, trust—and know I respected and trusted her.
Jesus.Less than a day into parenthood, and I wanted to become a monk.
“Gonna reunite more veterans with their dogs,” Cruz said, pulling my mind out of my strange musings and back into the truck with him.“Maybe I’ll bring one home with me this time.Get a house and a yard.Do the whole responsible-adult thing.”
I shook my hand, trying to get the fur I’d extracted from my pants to detach.The bundle got near the air-conditioning vent and shot up my nose.
“Fuck!”I batted at my face, coughing.I sneezed once, twice, three times.
Cruz stuck his finger in his ear and twisted it.“You’re loud.”
“Sorry.”I used the hem of my T-shirt to wipe my face.Note to self: no pets.
“I’m hungry,” Cruz grumbled.“Want some tacos?”
“Good idea.I’m buying.”
He turned into a parking lot that housed a few food trucks, and we walked up to the window.Cruz ordered for us both in Spanish, then shot the shit with the wizened man while I paid.
