“Kat knows Coach. Mickey repped her dad and now her brothers.”
“Oh, right.” Will nods. “We’re playing the Caps soon. I hate Duke Baldwin.”
Ethan nods in agreement. “Dickhead.”
I don’t agree or disagree.
After they gather their gaming equipment, I walk them to the front door.
“See ya at practice tomorrow,” Ethan says.
Will tips his head to me.
Once they’re gone, I remove my phone from my pocket. Kat answers on the second ring.
“Hey, Kitten.” I lean my back against the door. “How was your day?”
She sniffs as if she’s crying. “Okay, I guess.”
“What’s wrong?”
Dead silence.
“Kitten, c’mon, talk to me. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I don’t feel good. I’m tired. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “For a second there, I thought you were crying.”
Another awkward pause and then she says, “I need to see you, Dean. Your birthday is coming up. I want to visit for the weekend.”
“That’s two weeks from now.”
“We have to plan it around your schedule,” she says so low I struggle to hear her.
“What’s going on? You sound different. Are you upset with me for not calling back right away? Because if you are, I’m sorry, baby. I got caught up in everything that’s going on here. I swear I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m fine, Dean.” She sniffs again. “Just sick, that’s all.”
“Okay, but if something is bothering you, you would tell me, right?”
“Of course,” she whispers. “Hey, I’m gonna hang up. I need to get some sleep. Call me tomorrow.”
“I have practice in the morning. I’ll call you after you’re done work.”
“Sounds good,” she says in a hushed tone. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, Kitten. Night.”
“Night,” she says and then the line goes dead.
What is going on with her? Lately, Kat hasn’t been herself. It’s as if the distance between us is tearing us apart, and I don’t know how to fix it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Kat
Silvia sits in the chair next to me, nodding at my stomach. “How are you feeling?”
“The morning sickness is getting worse. I threw up twice already today. I’m so frustrated I want to rip my hair out.”
Laughing, she clutches my wrist. “Don’t do that. I think Dean likes you with hair. So, what about Dean? Have you gotten the balls yet to tell him about the baby?”
I shake my head. “He booked my flight for his birthday. I have to tell him in person. This isn’t the kind of news you drop on someone over the phone.”
She nods. “Yeah, I get that but make sure you tell him. Don’t punk out.”
“I won’t,” I promise. “Dean will know about the baby before I leave.”
“He won’t let you go after you tell him.”
I shrug. “I don’t know. He’s been kind of distant lately. Maybe he’s having second thoughts about us now that he’s in the NHL and has women throwing themselves at him all the time.”
She snorts. “You must’ve hit your head on the toilet the last time you were in there barfing your brains out.”
I roll my eyes at her.
“You should listen to yourself. Dean might be busy with hockey, but he’s madly in love with you and has been for years. That’s not going to change just because he’s playing in the NHL.”
“Yeah, I’m just a little paranoid. All of these hormones are making me feel like a crazy lady.”
A beat passes between us before she says, “Have you told your dad yet?”
“No, I’m not sure how to tell him.”
“How about your brothers?”
“Nope, I kinda want to tell them at the same time.”
“Call them and say, I’m pregnant, and then hang up.” She laughs. “I’m joking, but in all seriousness, that might be easier than what you’ve been doing. You can’t keep this news to yourself, Kat. It affects your family as much as you.”
“I see my dad so little that I haven’t found the right time, you know. I’m his only daughter. I feel like a massive disappointment. Duke and Austin are back with their teams. Theo and Trav are at school.”
She leans back in her chair and glances around the lunchroom. “If you don’t call them, you’ll never tell them. Thanksgiving is next month. Don’t ruin the holiday by waiting.”
“You’re right.”
She puts her elbows on the table, pinning me down with her gaze. “I still can’t believe you’re having a baby with Dean. At least you know how to pick them. Dean Crawford’s not a bad option for a baby daddy.”
I press my finger to my lips. “Shh…”
“What?”
“We work for a sports magazine,” I point out. “I don’t need the whole country to know before I tell Dean.”
“I’ll tell them tonight. Duke and Austin don’t have a game for a few more days.”
She pats me on the shoulder and smiles. “Good. Call me after you break the news to them.”
With a shaky hand, I raise the phone to my ear. I call Austin first since his voice puts me at ease. Like Dean, Austin always knows the right things to say. Then, I conference in Duke followed by the twins, who are sharing Travis’ phone for the call, and then I add my dad to the line.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Dad yells over a crowd. “What’s up? I’m on the air in about thirty minutes.”
“I need to tell you all something important. Are you sitting down?”
“What did you do?” Duke growls.
“Why would you assume I did something wrong, Denny?”
Duke blows a puff of air into the receiver.
“What I have to tell you guys is hard for me to say.” My sweaty palm is making it harder for me to grip the phone in my hand. “Let me get this off my chest without interrupting me. Can you do that, please?”
They all agree.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.
“Did you say you’re pregnant, Kat?” Dad sounds confused.
“Yes, Dad. I’m pregnant. I wanted to tell all of you in person, but our schedules never line up.”
An awkward silence passes between us.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Did you go to the doctor?”
“Yeah, Dad. I have a blood test and a sonogram that confirm my pregnancy.”
I’m greeted with more silence from my dad.
Austin sighs. Duke groans. The twins are whispering to each other.
“How long have you known?” Dad says.
“Not long,” I admit.
“Honey, why would you keep something like this from us?” He hesitates for a second, this time with excitement in his voice. “I’m gonna be a grandfather…”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I should have told you sooner. I’m freaked out. I didn’t know what to do.”
“I don’t get it,” Theo says. “How could you get pregnant? Is immaculate conception a real thing?”
I almost laugh at his comment. “Do I need to give you the birds and bees talk again?”
“You had sex with someone?” Theo still sounds in shock.
“With who?” Travis says, bewildered. “You never hung out with any guys other than us and… Dean.”
More awkward silence passes between us. Everyone says the twin are idiots, but I think Travis just figured it out.
“I’m coming home,” Austin says with authority. “I can take you to your appointments and help you with the baby.”
Taking me to the doctor was always Austin’s job. He would sit in the waiting rooms with me. He would even hold my hand while the dental hygienist cleaned my teeth. I hated that so much when I was a kid. What I wouldn’t give to have Austin home with me right now. He’s not far, only one state over, living in
St. Louis with his teammates. I miss him and his calmness that always puts me at ease.
“Who’s the father?” Duke growls.
“Yeah, who’s the father?” Austin says.
The twins echo their question.
“Do you guys promise not to flip out?”
“No,” Duke says like he’s spitting nails.
“I haven’t told him yet,” I say.
“Kat, who’s the father?” Austin says. “Just tell us. We won’t get mad.”
“Dean,” I whisper.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Duke sounds as though he’s grinding his teeth as he speaks. “All this time you tried to convince me that you weren’t fucking that asshole and then he knocks you up and leaves you to deal with a baby by yourself?”
“He didn’t leave me, Denny. Dean doesn’t even know.”
“You and Dean?” Austin sounds confused. “So, you guys were together this whole time?”
“Aus, are you that fucking clueless?” Duke yells so loud my eardrum hurts.
“Knock it off, Duke.” Now, Dad is pissed. “Don’t talk to your sister and brother like that.”
“Sorry, Dad, but this is bullshit.”
“Kat, I’ll be home in a few days,” Dad says.
“Me, too,” Austin says. “I can stay for a few nights.”
“Please don’t say anything to Dean. Any of you. I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet.”
“He’s dead the next time I see him,” Duke says.
“Denny, please don’t do anything,” I scream.
“I can’t make that promise right now.”
I lay my head back on the stack of pillows on my bed and close my eyes.
“Duke just needs time to process,” Austin says after Duke hangs up. “You know he’ll be there for you, Kat.”
“I know.” I sigh. “I was hoping for a better reaction.”
“It’s unexpected,” my dad says, “but we’ll figure it out, honey.”
“Okay, Dad. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Love you guys,” he says before his end of the line goes dead.
“I can’t believe you guys,” Theo says in disbelief.
“So, that was more than a dare at Delta Sig?” Travis asks. “Dean lied right to our fucking faces.”
“He didn’t lie,” I shoot back. “That was a dare. Nothing happened with us until after that.”
“Kat, we’ll figure it out,” Austin interjects. “Try not to let Duke bother you. He has rage issues, you know that. Once he calms down, he’ll feel like shit for acting this way and come crawling back with an apology.”
“You’re right. Thanks for being the normal brother.”
Austin laughs. “I’ll be home on Tuesday.”
Then, he’s gone.
“I need time,” Theo says.
“Me too,” Travis adds.
“Please don’t tell Dean,” I say to the twins.
“Fuck Dean,” Theo growls.
“He’s dead to us,” Travis mutters.
“He didn’t do anything to either of you so don’t take this out on him. He’s still your friend.”
“I need a drink” Travis says.
“More like a whole bottle,” Theo chimes. “Kat, we’re hanging up. We have to… I don’t even know what to say…”
“This is so fucked,” Theo says, his voice distant.
“We’ll call you tomorrow,” Travis says. “We just need some time.”
After we hang up, I feel less anxious than before. My family knows and the world didn’t end. Duke acted like a giant child, but I know he’ll come around. His initial reaction to everything usually sucks because he’s a stupid rage monster. But I know he means well. They all do. The twins will get over it. They’re in shock. And in less than one week, Dean will know, too.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dean
For our first matchup against the Washington Capitals, I have the pleasure of playing against Duke Baldwin. He’s a bruiser, a mountain of a man, and the one player on the ice you don’t want to mess with unless you have a death wish. Known by everyone in the NHL as a Baldwin Beatdown, Duke has made a reputation for himself for his highlight-reel knockouts. As the enforcer for his team, fighting is Duke’s specialty.
Moving down the ice with the puck, I’m well aware of Duke and his proximity, forcing me to skate faster. I switch the puck to my weak side, keeping it away from Duke’s blade. But he’s good at getting me to do what he wants because my failed attempts to dodge him send us crashing into the boards. Instead of reaching for the puck, he pulls the gloves from his hands and throws them on the ice along with his stick.
Duke grabs me by the collar of my jersey, his face inches from mine. “You’re mine, asshole” he breathes against my cheek.
I attempt to break free when one of his teammates comes up from the side and steals the puck from between our legs. Those in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center chant for us to fight. Duke slams me into the Plexiglas, as if I weigh nothing, causing me to lose my balance. With a firm grip on my collar, Duke tugs hard enough that I fall backward and into his chest. I give him a shit-eating grin that he returns with his jaw clenched in anger.
“This is for Kat and the baby,” he growls into my ear. “You fucking scumbag.”
“What baby?” I choke out, my teeth gritted in anger.
“Your kid, you idiot.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You knew. Don’t fucking lie.”
My jersey slides up my back as Duke slams my face into the Plexiglas. I spin around, still struggling to slip from his grasp when Duke hits me with a right hook to the jaw. He follows it up with a few quick jabs that force me to the ice. But he doesn’t loosen his grip, not even for a second.
“Kat is pregnant with your kid. Don’t act like you didn’t know.” Bending over me, Duke lands a few more punches.
The ice is bloody by the time two linesmen grab him by the arms. In shock, I drop to my knees, in pain and numb from the news about Kat. Is she pregnant? With my baby? I don’t know what hurts worse—my jaw or Kat’s betrayal. Now, I understand why she’s been acting so weird. Anymore, it’s like she never has time for me.
The cheers from the crowd grow louder. Duke fights the linesmen off with an elbow. And when I least expect it, he knees me in the face. I fall backward from the blow. Duke throws his hands up in victory. As he turns around, his fist collides with the jaw of the linesman behind him.
The team doctor is at my side. My teammates circle us, some of them attempting to get a clean shot at Duke. His teammates pull him back to their bench. The last player who hit a linesman lost months of pay and earned a hefty suspension.
I hope fucking up my face was worth it, asshole.
As the officials escort Duke off the ice, my teammates help me up. What a low blow for my first year in the league. That fight will be on every highlight-reel for weeks to come.
What concerns me most is what he said about Kat… and our child. How could she hide something this important from me? We share everything. Maybe Duke misunderstood. Either that or he’s delusional… or I’m going to be a father. Kat owes me an explanation for my face, this fight, and our baby.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kat
As I watched Duke beat the shit out of Dean on television, I wanted to jump through the screen and murder my brother. I only had a few more days to go until Dean’s birthday. So, what choice did I have but to hop on the next flight to Philly?
I knock on Dean’s apartment door, hoping he’s home. He hasn’t answered any of my calls or texts. I hope he’s okay and not in the hospital. The fight looked horrible. I knock a few more times before Dean answers the door with a towel around his waist. It hangs low from his narrow hips, leaving little to the imagination.
“Hey,” I say when our eyes meet.
He shakes his head at me in disbelief. “It’s true, isn’t it?” The words sound as if they burn his tongue. “How
could you do this?”
“I didn’t do anything, Dean. We did this together.”
He turns his head to the side, giving me a good view of his bruised cheek and eye, the black and blue already setting in.
“Can I come in? I need to talk to you.”
“I can’t…” He takes a few steps back, staggering backward into his apartment, the door still ajar. “I need time.”
“Please, Dean.” I push my way inside and slam the door behind me. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?” His mouth twists in disgust. I’ve never seen him this angry before. “Sending Mike Tyson after me or for hiding our child?”
“I was coming here this weekend to tell you in person. I thought it would be better that way. I never meant for any of this to happen. Duke wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
“Oh, and that makes it all better?” He turns his back to me and walks into the living room. “Get out, Kat. I can’t do this tonight. My face and head are killing me. I can’t sit here and fight with you.”
“But I’m your best friend… and your girlfriend.”
He spins around to face me, his teeth clenched in anger. “Don’t use that line on me. We’re not… we’re nothing. You’re a fucking liar!”
“Dean, c’mon.” I inch toward him, my heart breaking with each step I take. “Don’t act like this. I messed up big time. I know that. But we can fix this. I’m only three months pregnant. We can still do this together.”
He stares at my stomach, which looks mostly the same. “My baby,” he whispers, looking as if he’s in physical pain when he grabs his left shoulder. “How could you, Kitten? Why?” He falls to the floor next to the couch and rests his head against the leather. “Call a doctor,” he says, breathless.
I rush to his side, my fingers wrapping around his bicep. “You’re having a panic attack, Dean. Control your breathing and everything will be okay.”
“Duke was telling the truth,” he chokes out.
I nod. “I wasn’t trying to hide this. You have to believe me. I just wanted to wait for the right time.”
Dean (Face-Off Series Book 6) Page 11
