Page 117 of Code Violation

Seated in the most uncomfortable chair ever, I tip my head toward the ceiling and release a pained groan. Pelvis girdle pain is no fucking joke, and I’ve been suffering with it for weeks now.

Twenty-nine weeks pregnant, and I’m officially on the struggle bus.

It doesn’t matter how many warm baths Silas runs for me, new pairs of sneakers he buys, or the countless physical therapy sessions I’ve attended, it just keeps getting worse.

“Give me ten minutes, and the Tylenol will kick in,” I say through gritted teeth.

Julian doesn’t look convinced, but I’m too stubborn to go home.

“What time does your shift end?” he asks.

I gaze at the clock set above the door.

Christ, another four hours.

“Eleven p.m.”

He quirks an unimpressed brow, thumbing behind him. “It’s quiet out there now that the Rogues are out of the playoffs.”

My heart sinks at the memories of last week. Rhys was so fucking close to stopping that puck before it crashed against the inside right post and hit the back of the net. I think, for a time, we all believed that the Rogues could go the distance. In the end, they reached game six. I know Silas is proud of how far they’ve come as a team, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes during postgame interviews. He wanted to lift the Cup so freaking badly.

I close my eyes and drop my head to the table in front of me when another stabbing pain shoots through my lower body and my phone vibrates next to me.

With one eye cracked, I peer at the screen.

“Just let me know if you need anything, okay?” Julian says before he disappears.

“Thanks,” I croak out, head still resting on the table as I pick up my phone and open the text messages.

Silas

You should be at home with me.

Me

That’s nothing but a pipe dream. For at least the next four hours anyway.

Silas

You’re exhausted, and you need to stop pushing yourself so hard. That baby bump of ours isn’t going to get any smaller.

Me

I’m actually having a good day today; the pain isn’t as bad.

Silas

Don’t lie to your boyfriend, baby. I know you’re hiding in the staff room right now.

I pick my head up, checking around the staff room in case Silas magically appeared.

Wishful thinking, Ves.

Me

How could you possibly know that?

Even after months of dating this man, I feel like a teenager, flirting with the hottest boy in school.