Page 71

“Stop talking about me as if I’m notright here. I’m not living with you. I don’t know you.”
Her voice is strained. She’s worried about the baby, and the maternity unit is taking its sweet-ass time with the ultrasound.
Jackson lifts his head, his hair in disarray from raking his finger through it. “Dude, fuck off. I wouldn’t have called you if I knew you’d be a dick.”
I stop pacing to face him, arms crossed over my chest. “Aurora andmybaby need a stable home. Period. End of discussion. No more roommate problems, no more estranged family, no more fans and paparazzi.”
He narrows his bloodshot eyes. “The baby might be yours, but she’s not. Don’t forget that.”
“She’s not yours either. Don’t get ahead of yourself.” I suck in a breath to calm my irritability and bring it down a notch. He and I fighting won’t help Aurora. “I couldn’t care less about your relationship, but it’s clear she’s not safe living with you.”
Seeing her has my mind playing tricks on me. I envision a gated property in Santa Monica and Aurora with me every night—an absolute dream. The specifics and technicalities are cloudy, but I’ll figure them out along the way.
Jackson scoffs, and my dreams come crashing down around me.
“How will youprovide a stable home when you spend twenty hours a day preparing for your championship season?”
My frustration boils over, and my temper flares. “I can’t concentrate on the season if I’m constantly dealing with you two!”
Am I talking about Aurora and the baby, or Aurora and Jackson? All three? I haven’t even a clue. I never expected any of this.
“That’swhat this is about.” Aurora’s voice cracks, and her lips tremble. “Don’t worry about me. I’m not your responsibility nor your shameful burden to deal with.”
Her words are daggers, and I quickly realize the magnitude of my fuck-up. I need a muzzle when I’m panicked.
“I was assaulted,” she cries. “I haven’t seen my baby—your baby—and all you care about is your fucking hockey season?”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” I say through gritted teeth, but it’s too late.
Her anger and hurt are palpable, and I watch helplessly as Jackson climbs into the bed with her. He kisses away her tears, and I’m frozen, a spectator to their undeniable bond.
He’s rightfully tormented by what happened, apologizing profusely and promising to cut all ties with Kyle. I half expect him to get down on one knee, profess his undying love, and propose.
He touches, kisses, and holds her with the intimacy of a boyfriend while I remain on the fringes, the interloper. Envy gnaws at me, but this is what I wanted, and I only have myself to blame.
My head screams at me to walk away. Watching him with her is torture. I’m not and will never be the shining star Jackson is. The only thing I have, perhaps the only thing I’ll ever have, is hockey, and pursuing her will fuck that up.
But my heart anchors me here, telling me that leaving is a mistake.We made a baby. No matter how surreal it is, it’s happening. I have to make this work. I can’t let my temper cloud my judgment and push her away.
Determined, I give them privacy and walk out the door. “Where’s the ultrasound?” I ask a passing nurse, who raises her brows at my demanding tone.
Agitation crawls under my skin in response to Aurora’s distress. I’m surprised Jackson hasn’t blown a fucking gasket already. I expected him to be outraged and over the top while I kept my cool. Apparently, today, we’re switching positions, and I get to be the moody asshole.
Unfortunately, this is all Aurora knows of me.
“Sir, the maternity unit is sending someone as soon as they can. Can I bring you something to drink while you wait?”
Although her offer is condescending, I accept, asking for three water bottles, and return to the room.
“He hates me,” Aurora sobs.
My feet come to a stop at the threshold.
“No, he doesn’t. Far from it. He’s trying to avoid letting you in.” There’s silence and then the rustling of the bedding before Jackson says, “Sleep, babe. You’re exhausted. I’ll be here.”
I tip my head back, inhale deeply, allowing my lungs to expand, and exhale slowly.
She thinks I hate her. Jesus, fuck. Can this get any worse?