“Yeah. My man right here has been pining for you for weeks.”
“What? No, I have not,” Everett argues.
“Proud of you, man.”
“Fucking hell,” Everett groans, combing his fingers through his hair.
“Are you ready to go?” Parker asks me, her Donnelly smirk firmly in place. “Or did you need a few more minutes?”
My cheeks blaze. “N-no, I’m good. I’ll just grab my things,” I say, racing from the room as if the hounds of hell are snapping at my heels.
I almost pause the second I’m out of sight and voices float through the air so I can hear what they say to Everett—or more importantly, what he says to them. But I don’t.
Instead, I rush into my room, close the door behind me, and fall back against it, allowing myself to catch my breath.
I really don’t want to leave right now. But despite his suggestion of bailing on the party, we can’t. Not only is itParker’s big day, but it’s also our first official outing as a couple. And then next week, we’re announcing our pregnancy.
Nerves run through me, although I must admit, they have reduced after everything today.
This fake relationship for the sake of the media is no longer, or at least it feels that way. The pressure to make everyone believe us has lifted.
My hand rises, my fingertips brushing against my swollen lips as I replay everything Everett has said to me today. And as much as my head wants to insist that he can’t possibly be telling the truth, my heart? My heart knows differently.
But will it last? That’s the real question. Six months down the line, when we have a newborn and life is stressful, will he still want this?
In a year, with another hockey season under his belt, will he still want to spend the off-season with us?
In five years’ time…
I slam my eyes closed, trying to stop myself from going down this rabbit hole.
No one knows what’s going to happen in the future.
For all we know, Everett could get traded to Alaska—does Alaska even have a team?
The point isn’t about the future; it’s about how I feel right now, and if the risk of not knowing what the future holds is worth it.
Is Everett and a future together as a family worth it?
A laugh tumbles free. I don’t know why I’m even questioning it. When it comes to Everett and our baby, my answer will always be yes.
Standing a little taller, I roll my shoulders back and push from the door.
I walk back out with my head held high and my bag over my shoulder.
When I walk back into the living room, I find that Linc and Everett have already started up the Xbox and are in the middle of a fight in a warehouse.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and hang out with us instead?” Linc asks when he spots me. “It’s much more fun playing with someone who knows what they’re doing.”
“You don’t have to stay here, you know,” Everett complains.
“Nice job on his hair,” Parker says, trying to change the subject.
“You think? I’m not sure Lessy would approve, but?—”
“It looks great. So much better than the mess it was before.”
Everett rolls his eyes but doesn’t take his attention from the game.
