Leila adjusts her necklace and shoots Jagger a look. “You two are terrible influences on each other.”
Jagger grins. “We just appreciate the art of roasting.”
“The twins are going to end up just like you two,” Leila says, shaking her head.
“And they’ll be awesome,” Abby jokes. “Honestly, I think Lyra’s already mastered eye rolls. She learned them from watching me.”
Knox changes the subject. “Landon, that first goal was solid. Nice footwork.”
“Very graceful,” Jagger adds. “Almost balletic.”
“Did you call me balletic?” I ask.
“I did. There’s nothing wrong with being elegant on the ice.”
Abby laughs. “Oh my god, Jagger, you’re insufferable. I love it.”
“Thank you,” Jagger says, taking it as a compliment. “I work hard at it. And you know what else? The twins are going to think I’m the coolest dad alive.”
“The bar is on the ground,” Levi mutters.
“And you’re still struggling to reach it,” I add.
“By the time they’re five, Lyra’s going to be asking to go everywhere with me,” he insists.
The food arrives just in time to shut him up after that comment, and for several moments there’s peace. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long.
“You know what’s interesting?” Jagger says, mouth half full of food. “Landon played really well. Almost as if he was trying to impress someone.”
I freeze, my fork halfway to my mouth.
“Shut up, Jagger,” Levi says.
“I’m just saying, he kept looking at the stands.”
Abby leans forward with interest. “Really? Which area?”
“Where a certain beautiful woman in a fishing shirt was sitting,” Jagger says with a smirk.
“Oh my god, you’re an idiot.” Abby laughs, but she also looks at me. “You were playing well. I forgot how much I enjoyed watching you all play.”
“I was playing well because it was our first game with the Cyclones,” I say defensively. “That’s all.”
“Suuure.” Jagger grins. “That’s definitely all it was.”
Riven clears his throat. “Either way, good hockey. That’s what matters.”
By the time dessert is finished, Leila gets everyone’s attention.
“I have an announcement,” she says. “And I wanted everyone here.”
The table goes quiet, and everyone turns their attention to her.
“I’m pregnant,” she announces, her hand moving to her stomach.
Jagger lets out a whoop of excitement, pulling Leila close and kissing her deeply. Riven grins like an idiot, leaning over to press a kiss to her temple. Knox’s eyes light up, and he reaches for her hand, squeezing it like she gave him the best news of his life.
Abby jumps up from her seat with a squeal, nearly knocking over her chair, and throws her arms around Leila, bouncing up and down like she’s the one who’s pregnant.
