by Kristen Echo
Accidental Score
An Accidental Pregnancy Sports Romance
Kristen Echo
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
Author Note
Sneak Peek
Other Books By Kristen Echo
About the Author
Acknowledgments
ACCIDENTAL SCORE
Copyright © 2020 by Kristen Echo and Kristen Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Website: https://www.echoromance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenecho/
eBook ISBN: 978-1-9992777-5-8
Print ISBN: 978-1-9992777-6-5
Created with Vellum
Chapter 1
Josie
Countless pictures of single men drifted across my screen, yet not one face piqued my curiosity. I couldn’t choose a date based on his looks alone. My ex, Dallas, was more studious than sexy. He had crystal-clear blue eyes covered by wire-rimmed glasses, a lanky body, and a huge IQ. One heated debate about stems cells my freshman year had ended with my first kiss. After years of dating, our relationship had recently ended.
“He’s hot.” Presley waited for me to agree, but I had stopped looking at the dating app. “Definitely spends lots of time at the gym. A man who takes pride in his appearance is a smart choice,” she added with a half-smile.
I leaned closer to her phone to inspect the shirtless man. His eyes were slightly glazed over, and his goofy smile made me leery about his motives. I didn’t need to chat with him to know he wanted sex and nothing more. I had never had a casual fling, but maybe it was time to reconsider. Glancing at the picture again, I shook my head. I wanted more.
“No thanks.” I swiped to the next available bachelor. “I’m not interested in getting an STD.”
“We’ve been searching for hours. You need a date.” She flopped backwards on her bed with a huff. Her head narrowly missed the wall. “He’s a top candidate in my opinion.”
“He’s got a great body, but he looks like a player. Probably a dumb jock.”
The guy appeared to be in his early twenties like us. Maybe he’d graduated college, but I doubted it. In less than a year, I’d have my master’s degree. After that, I hadn’t fully decided.
She arched an eyebrow. “It’s a holiday party, right?”
“It’s not a Christmas mixer at a frat house. This is for school.”
“So?”
“So… that dude would be bored in seconds. I need someone who can hold his end of the conversation.”
“That’s mighty judgmental, Josie. Hot people can be smart and fun. I’m living proof.”
With her long, black hair and Mediterranean features, my best friend was a knockout. An exotic beauty with the face of an angel and the heart to match. We were both tall, but her lithe frame made my curves seem like mountains. Presley was one of those people who didn’t have to try to make the Dean’s list. She was smart, funny, and nice. I had hit the roommate jackpot my freshman year.
“You’re an exception,” I corrected.
“Am not.” She shoved me with her legs.
Seated crossed legged, I fell off the bed. My backside greeted the tiled floor with a thud. “Ouch. Why?”
I didn’t bother getting up. Her laughter grew louder as I groaned in pain. It wasn’t so much the pain of my landing as the torture that awaited me once I rejoined her. I was done searching for a date.
“According to your logic, my brothers, my boyfriend and pretty much the majority of the guys I know would fall into the exception category. Drop the excuses.”
“Presley be serious. That guy posted a shirtless pic to show off his muscles. Clearly, his best asset. I’m looking for more than arm candy.”
“He could be a med student or a smarty-pants scientist like you. Haven’t you ever been taught not to judge a book by its cover?”
I had been breaking stereotypes my entire life. With my chubby cheeks and round body, I had faced my share of bullies. Unlike my roommate, I didn’t have a protective family to support and encourage my dreams. As an orphaned kid, I’d bounced around the foster system because no one wanted me. I had overcome many challenges to get this far.
Nothing was handed to me. I had earned my scholarships and my place on my ex’s research team. As the project leader, Dallas, had invited me to join. It was his way of keeping me in his life after our breakup. Months later, the university was recognizing our team’s accomplishments at the holiday, fundraiser gala.
“I’ll pass on dating another scientist. In fact, I’m done with dating forever,” I huffed.
“Just because he wasn’t the one, doesn’t mean the right guy isn’t out there. I refuse to let you go to this thing alone.” She sat upright and peered at me sprawled across the floor. “Let’s find you someone not afraid to use their tongue. Someone adventurous enough to escape missionary position and—”
“Shhh!”
One drunken girls’ night had led to oversharing. I never should have told her about my boring sex life. Dallas was sweet, smart, and we were each other’s firsts. When Presley bragged about her boyfriend’s ability to make her climax multiple times during intercourse, I confessed that most times I faked it. I loved Dallas, but I wasn’t in love with him.
“Sorry, but you can do better. You need to at least try.”
“I’m not getting back together with him.” Despite his attempts to win me back, there was no chance of a reconciliation. Life was too short to be shackled to a man who couldn’t find my G-spot. “But I’m scared of being rejected,” I admitted.
The men she wanted to contact would never agree to date a nerd like me. She lifted her head and raised an eyebrow. “You’re gorgeous. I’d kill to have your tits.” She squeezed her smaller breasts to emphasize her point. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”
And that’s why Presley was my best friend. She saw past my flaws. She made me feel beautiful. But her positive outlook wasn’t realistic. Even if by some miracle, I found a man from this dating site who didn’t make my skin crawl, there was no way he’d be available with a suit for tomorrow night. The search was pointless.
“I appreciate your effort to fix my lackluster love life, but it’s hopeless.”
“Have a little faith. I’ll find you the perfect guy.”
“Perfect doesn’t exist,” I countered.
She snapped her fingers. “It’s really too bad my brother isn’t single. Aaron would definitely—”
“I’ll attend the dinner alone, shake some hands and come home still single.” I ambled back to her bed, sat next to my best friend, and tapped her knee. “Your brother’s a hockey player. Emphasis on the player part.”
“What’s your point?”
“We aren’t compatible. I don’t even like sports.”
“You enjoy coming to games with me.”
She had season tickets and never missed
a game. Over the years, I’d been to my fair share of games with her. We always had a blast, but it was the energy of the crowd and the company that made it fun. Not watching a puck glide across the ice.
“I don’t hate hockey, but I never go out of my way to watch it.”
Her forehead wrinkled. “No one hates hockey.”
“No offense, but Aaron is not my type,” I lied.
Her brother was gorgeous, easy to talk to and way out of my league. I liked Aaron a lot, but nothing would ever happen between us. He only dated puck bunnies. And he had dated a lot of them over the years.
“You totally think he’s hot,” she challenged.
“I won’t deny he’s attractive, but he’s a brute on the ice. One of those players that fights constantly and spends far too much time in the penalty box. I’m not into that.”
“He’s a catch! You guys get along great. Not to mention, he’s—”
“I’m not arguing a hypothetical.” Aaron had been dating his latest jersey chaser for months. “He’s not single. He doesn’t live in Toronto. I don’t need a date!”
“Josie, forget about my brother. You can’t give up on men. More importantly, you can’t go to this event without a date.”
Her phone rang, signaling an incoming video chat. I sighed with relief and could have kissed the caller for saving me from another lecture about love and commitment. Both were traps I wasn’t keen on falling into again any time soon.
She tossed her hair back, exposing a scar along her cheek that marred her otherwise flawless skin. Presley had taken a hockey puck to the face while playing with her older brother as a kid. She mostly wore her hair down in an attempt to hide it.
“Your ears must have been ringing. I was just talking about you,” she said, holding the phone out for the caller to see her big, toothy smile. “It’s good to see you. What’s up?”
“College life must be boring if you’re talking about me,” a deep, raspy voice replied.
I recognized Aaron’s voice instantly. Her brother played in the NHL, but he had the charisma to make it in showbiz. His voice was distinct with a touch of a Greek accent and undeniably sexy.
She rolled her eyes. “You wish.”
“That explains why you never call me or return my calls.”
“We both have busy schedules. I never know when to reach you. Between your naps, practice, and games, it’s impossible.” She counted out the items on her fingers. “Not to mention all your free time is monopolized by questionable women.”
My roommate despised her brother’s latest girlfriend. She called Destiny a puck-bunny, gold-digging tramp most of the time. While the woman seemed a tad possessive and a permanent fixture at his side, I didn’t think she was the devil. I had a hunch no one would ever be good enough for either of her brothers.
“Well, you can’t use Destiny as an excuse not to call anymore. We broke up at the start of the season.”
Her chin dropped to her chest and a puff of air escaped. “What?”
Eavesdropping wasn’t my style, but the room was quiet, and I had nowhere else to be. Instead of giving the siblings privacy for their video chat, I remained seated. With my lips pressed firmly shut, I leaned closer but out of camera range.
“We broke up,” he repeated. “It’s not a big deal. What’s new with you?”
“Let’s keep the focus on you,” she shrieked. “I can’t believe you’ve been single for months and didn’t think to tell me. What about the baby?”
Baby? My eyes widened. Aaron was going to be a dad.
“There never was a baby,” he said. “She lied. I’m glad the media never caught wind of it all.”
“That’s insane. That also explains why she never wanted to announce it publicly,” Presley stated.
“It’s taken me a while to deal with the aftermath, but I’m over it now.”
“On the plus side, you dodged a bullet. She wasn’t right for you.”
“Doesn’t feel like it,” he answered. “But I’m glad I know the truth. Destiny is a good woman but not the one for me.”
I respected that Aaron wasn’t speaking ill of his ex. He won brownie points in my book. Not that he needed any extras.
Presley nodded. “I’m sorry. If you were here, I’d give you a big hug.”
“Offer accepted. In case you forgot, I’m in Toronto and on my way to your place now.”
“Sweet,” she screeched. “I lost track of time, but I didn’t forget about your visit.”
“Is that your way of saying you’re not ready?”
“By the time you get here, I’ll be ready. Are you pumped for your game tomorrow afternoon? Josie and I are looking forward to it.”
“How come you’re not bringing the boyfriend?”
As she swiveled, her brother’s face came into view. With his thick, wavy locks, dark brown eyes, high cheek bones, and full lips, Aaron took my breath away. The stubble on his chin added a ruggedness to his handsome features.
She twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “His name is Brian, and he’s working. Hey, are you rushing home after the game tomorrow or staying the night?”
“Staying,” he replied. “I’ll have plenty of time to catch-up with my favorite sister. But I can’t stay out too late because I’ve got an early flight the following morning.”
“I’m your only sister.”
“And that makes you my favorite.”
He wasn’t trying to be charming, but his comments endeared him all the same. I smiled. Presley wasn’t nearly as swayed by his response and rolled her eyes. She glanced sideways and caught me staring. I quickly looked down and clasped my hands over my yoga pants. I wasn’t dressed for company. Presley wrapped her free hand around my shoulder, bringing my face into the video beside hers. My cheeks heated and my mouth suddenly went dry.
“Aaron, you have impeccable timing.” She winked at me. “I need a favor.”
“Anything for you. What do you need?”
“I’ll explain when you get here. See you soon.” She blew him a kiss and disconnected their call.
I climbed off her bed. “Enjoy your visit. I’m going to hide in my room and pretend this weekend is already over.”
She grabbed my arm before I could leave. “You can’t go to bed yet. The answer to your problems is about to arrive.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Aaron will be your plus one.”
My pulsed raced as she released my arm. Aaron Drakos was a famous, professional hockey player. A seasoned veteran whose had several multi-million-dollar contracts. He was years older than me with far better things to do than accompany a college student to a school function.
“No, he’s not. He’s here to play hockey.”
“Only in the afternoon,” she explained. “He’ll be all yours for the gala.”
I stared at her for a long while, waiting for her to burst out laughing. When she didn’t, knots formed in my stomach. “It’s not a good idea,” I protested. “I’m not asking your brother to go out with me.”
“It’s a great idea, and I’ll ask him for you. He owes me.”
“No.”
“Why not?” She stood and placed her hands on her hips.
I tugged on the hem of my green t-shirt. The olive color matched my eyes. “Because… it would be weird. Your brother is…”
I was at a loss for words. This was a bad idea for so many reasons. My best friend had lost her mind for suggesting something so crazy.
“Don’t make it weird.”
“Why would he say yes?”
“Aaron’s a guy. A good one. When I explain your situation, he’ll help you out.”
A pity date. I cringed. The doorbell rang, making the knots scrunch tighter in my belly.
“No!”
“Yes,” she yelled back. “Let him in. I need to change.”
I marched out of her room. As I stomped away, our apartment doorbell rang again. I unlocked the chain and deadbolt, opened the door, and stepped b
ack. Dressed in jeans and a winter coat, he looked even better in person. Tall and intimidating with shoulders as wide as the doorway.
We stood in silence. His brown eyes raked over my body slowly. He leaned against the doorframe as his lip curled into a sexy, lopsided grin.
“You going to invite me in, Josephine?”
“Hi. Yes… come in.” I waved for him to enter. “Your sister is swapping outfits.”
“Thanks.” He sauntered by me, unzipped his jacket and hung it in the closet. A black t-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders.
I closed the door and relocked it. We lived in a good neighborhood close to campus, but it was a habit. I had lived in my share of bad places. I inhaled, catching a faint scent of leather and spice. He smelled good.
“How was your flight in?”
“Good. You don’t seem dressed for a Friday night on the town,” he commented as we entered the living room. “Aren’t you coming with us?”
I shook my head. The hair from my ponytail tickled the back of my neck. “Oh. I’m not joining you two. I’ve got too much on my plate tonight.”
“Too bad.”
Presley ran past me and tackled her brother. She had changed into a cocktail dress. He twirled her around. The siblings had the same tanned skin tone, luscious wavy hair, and enigmatic eyes. Excellent genetics. I stood in the corner and smiled. I didn’t have any family, but I loved seeing a good one like theirs. Despite their over ten year age difference, they were close.
They sat next to each other on the couch. His big body taking up most of the space. “I missed you,” he said.
“I missed you too. You look different.” She grabbed his chin and analyzed his face. “Don’t tell me you’re growing a beard. Yuck.”
On anyone else, I would have agreed with her statement. Beards mostly seemed unkept, but Aaron pulled it off. His facial hair was trim, tidy, and masculine.
