A moment of silence—before the table explodes with noise.
“HOLY SHIT!” Luca yells, grabbing his head with both hands.
People from other tables look over. Beside me, Tate sits back, folding his arms over his chest, smiling.
“A baby,” Hayden howls, melting. “You two are having a baby?” He jostles Rory by the shoulders while Rory laughs. “Holy shit, Miller.”
“I know.” Rory rakes his hair back with a baffled expression. “I still can’t believe it.”
“You’re going to be a father?” Jamie asks across the table with a serious expression.
Rory sobers. “I am.”
Jamie gets up, rounds the table, and holds his arms out. “Happy for you, man. You’re going to be a great dad.”
Rory stands and the two best friends embrace in that tight, back-slapping way men hug.
“Thanks, buddy. You’re going to be a great uncle.” Rory blinks, and his eyes shine with tears.
“Oh my god.” Hazel rolls her eyes, smiling. “You’re crying again? You’re such a sap.”
Rory laughs, wiping his eyes. “Over the child we’re going to have? Yeah, Hartley, I’m crying again.” He pulls her close and kisses her temple. “It’s blowing my mind.”
“Mine, too,” she admits, looking up at him with bright hope in her eyes.
Hayden sniffles, and Darcy rubs his arm with an amused, affectionate smile.
“I’mnotcrying,” he tells her.
She nods in an understanding way. “I know, baby.”
At my side, Tate gives me an amused sidelong look and I think about the closet, where he told me it’s okay to cry. I look away fast.
Georgia and Darcy take turns hugging Hazel, and Alexei gives Rory a hug and discreetly wipes the corner of his eyes, clearing his throat roughly.
When Hazel meets my eyes, I give her a wink.Congratulations,I mouth with a smile.
Thank you,she mouths back with her own.
“Congratulations, you two,” Tate tells them. “Your life is about to change in the best way.”
“Thanks, Tate.” Hazel gives Rory a look full of excitement and nerves.
“Thanks, Coach.” Rory claps him on the shoulder. “I’m going to be knocking on your door for advice.”
Tate gives him a warm, patient smile, and for once, I don’t find it irritating. “My door’s always open, but you don’t need it. You two will be amazing parents.”
My heart flips over, because it’s true, and it’s kind and encouraging of Tate to say it. Between this and the safeword that made me laugh, I’m wondering if Tate Ward is the kind of person who always knows the right thing to say.
“So, yeah, we don’t want to travel after playoffs in case Hazel has a plane baby,” Rory explains.
“Do you know what you’re having yet?” Pippa asks, but Hazel shakes her head.
“Too early. We’ll know at the twenty-week ultrasound.”
My heart squeezes again. Hazel and Rory are good people. Hazel’s strong and doesn’t take anyone’s bullshit, probably what attracted Rory to her when they were in high school, and she has dedicated her career to empowering people of all body types to find movement and exercise. Rory supports her no matter what, and, as a captain, cares about the well-being of his team. They’re going to have one lucky kid.
Rory sighs, sitting back in his chair with his arm around Hazel. “I’m going to be such a DILF.”
