Page 34 of Her Puck Daddies (Game On Daddies #2)

AVA

S ettling into a new rhythm with the guys is easier than I ever expected.

Maybe it’s all the sex, or maybe it’s just that living with Sven feels natural, like it was always meant to be.

Eric and Levi crash here any night we’re not on the road, and so far, everything just…

works. No tension. No second-guessing. Just us.

January is deep into the NHL season, which means the guys are constantly on the move.

We’re wrapping up a brutal stretch of away games—Boston, Raleigh, Philly, and now New York.

But for once, being in the NYC metro doesn’t come with the gnawing anxiety that Dean might pop up and turn my life upside down. That alone is a win.

Even better? I manage to steal some time with Leighton.

We have prime seats for the Avs versus Islanders game, and she gets her first taste of live hockey at its finest. The energy is electr ic, the crowd pulsing with excitement as the final buzzer sounds.

“This is amazing!” she squeals, voice raspy from all the screaming. The Avs just clinched another win, setting themselves up for a solid playoff push.

I can’t help but grin. This life, this moment, everything about it feels right.

And Leighton couldn't be happier for me.

She's relieved that Dean will never have the chance to hurt me or anyone again.

But more than that, she loves that I've found three men who treat me with respect and loyalty that's beyond measure.

“I know,” I shout back, as we jump up and down with our arms wrapped around each other. This is the best day I’ve had in a while, simply spending time with the people I care most about.

Unfortunately, my post-game celebration takes a turn when I have to bolt to the restroom and hurl up what feels like my entire stomach. Too many nachos? Bad cheese? Who knows. The weird part? The second I’m done, I feel… hungry again.

With the guys still tied up for a bit, Leighton and I head to Bay , an exclusive waterfront restaurant. Dropping the guys’ names gets us a VIP table, and their dinners arrive just as they stroll in, starved and ready to demolish a feast.

The night couldn’t be more perfect, the kind of effortless luxury I’m starting to get used to. But by the end of the meal, Leighton nudges me awake.

“You feeling all right?” she asks, worried. “You fell asleep on my shoulder.”

“I did?” I blink, disoriented. That’s weird. “I’m fine. Just tired, I think.”

She smirks. “Too many late, wild nights with your guys?”

I laugh, shaking my head. The funny thing is, last night was tame. We slept in separate beds so they’d be well-rested for the game. I even went to bed early. No tossing, no turning. Just solid, deep sleep. So why do I feel like I’m running on empty?

“Probably.”

“Missed having you in bed with me,” Sven murmurs, reaching across the table to take my hand. His touch is warm, grounding, and I love this quiet affection from him.

“Me too,” Eric chimes in, his voice just as soft. Across the table, Levi meets my gaze, his expression tender.

Leighton grins, ever the instigator. “Unless you’re pregnant,” she teases with a laugh. “You guys didn’t knock her up, did you?”

It ’s a joke. I know it’s a joke. But my stomach does a slow, queasy flip at the thought.

I do the math in my head. I was on the pill when I was with Dean, but I ran out recently and… well, I haven’t exactly stressed about it. The guys are always responsible, always meticulous about protection.

I’m fine. Everything’s fine.

But when was my last period?

My gaze drops to my empty plate as I rack my brain, but no date immediately jumps out. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

Silence stretches over the table, and when I finally glance back up, I find all three guys staring at me, eyes wide, bodies tense.

I force a small laugh. “You always wear protection,” I remind them, hoping to shake off the sudden weight in the air. “Even when it’s… you know… not necessary.”

The words barely settle before Levi shifts in his seat, rubbing a hand down his face, while Sven and Eric exchange a look that makes my pulse spike.

But then I freeze.

That night—the first time Eric came over after pulling away, after the mess with Dean. The desperation. The need. Eric took me fro m behind, so it didn’t matter. But Sven beneath me, Levi on top...

My heart plummets. Think, Ava. Think .

Then it clicks. I remember hearing Levi tear the condom wrapper. But Sven? Nothing. Not a single sound when he slid under me. But the vibrator could’ve drowned it out, right?

My stomach twists. No, no, no. Not now. Not when everything finally feels right.

Levi and Eric seem relaxed, convinced they’re in the clear. Like we’re in the clear. But Sven? His grip on my hand turns to stone. His face goes pale, his usual easy confidence nowhere to be found. I squeeze his palm instinctively, the silent exchange between us speaking volumes.

“Well,” he starts, his voice oddly stiff.

“I think I might’ve forgotten.” His Adam’s apple bobs.

“That time you dealt with Dean. When Eric finally came around.” His brows pinch together as if he’s replaying the scene in his head.

“I was caught up in the rawness of everything. I don’t really remember. ”

My pulse thunders in my ears. “We did, though. Right? We had to have.” The words leave me on autopilot, but the longer the silence stretches, the more my stomach knots.

Lei ghton shifts beside me, giving me a nudge. “Hey, take a deep breath. I’ll run and grab a pregnancy test from across the street. Then you can all relax.”

She slides out of the booth before I can even get a word in.

The table falls silent, an awkward tension settling as everyone glances at each other, then back down at their plates, then back up again.

Minutes later, she returns, placing the box into my hand. My fingers close around it like it’s a live grenade.

I mumble something about needing a minute and beeline for the restaurant’s restroom. Leighton follows, standing guard outside my stall while I fumble through the steps, my hands slightly unsteady.

Once I’m done, I set the test down on the counter and take a shaky step back.

Why does it suddenly feel like I’m staring down a venomous snake?

It doesn’t help that now, when we’re away from the guys, my best friend looks far more concerned.

“You had a period last month, right?” Leighton asks.

I o pen my mouth to confirm, but… nothing comes out. Because the truth is, I don’t remember. There’s been so much going on, and I haven’t exactly been keeping track.

She nods jerkily, like she already knows what that means.

I probably did. Right?

Three minutes. That’s how long I have to wait. My phone timer ticks down second by second, but each one feels like a lifetime.

I glance at myself in the mirror, searching my own reflection for something. Some sign. Do I look pale? Is that the lighting? Or am I just losing my mind?

The timer beeps, and Leighton and I lock eyes. This is it.

“Hey,” she says gently, squeezing my arm. “Either way, I’m here for you. Okay?”

I nod, even though my whole body is trembling. With a deep breath, I reach for the test. My fingers tighten around it as I force myself to look.

One line means negative.

Two means —

Oh god.

All the blood drains from my face.

“Well?” Leighton prompts.

I can’t speak. Can’t even move. Instead, I shove the test into her hands.

She takes one look and lets out a quiet, shaky, “Oh my…” like she’s afraid to say it too loud.

Tears sting my eyes. Fear knots my stomach. This can’t be happening.

“What am I going to do?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Leighton pulls me into a hug. “You’re going to tell them the news.”

“But what if they don’t want to be with me anymore?”

“Why wouldn’t they? If after all this time they don’t want this, then you’ll know they don’t deserve you” she says calmly, reassuring me. "And I'll be with you every step of the way. You won't be alone."

I know she’s right. After everything with Dean, I know she will be. But that doesn’t make this any less terrifying.

Sti ll, I didn’t come this far just to cower in the corner. I square my shoulders, tighten my grip on the test, and march out of the restroom, Leighton right on my heels.

At our table, the guys aren’t eating. Not even pretending to.

They’re watching me, their expressions unreadable. But I don’t hesitate. I go straight to Sven.

My fingers tighten around the test before I put it into his hand. “Sven, I’m pregnant.”

Crickets.

Sven stares down at the two glaring blue lines like they might rearrange themselves if he looks hard enough.

Then, without a word, he drops the test in his coat pocket, pushes up from the table and starts pacing up and down the aisle of this five-star restaurant like he’s deliberating a sudden-death overtime play.

I glance at Eric, who’s rubbing his temple, and then at Levi, who strokes his beard, deep in thought.

“Needs to think,” Levi mutters.

My chest tightens. “What?”

“Sven needs to think,” he clarifies. “This is his ‘need to think’ walk. I saw him do it when the Avs offered him the captaincy.”

Oh. Oh.

I don’t know whether to feel reassured or more terrified. My pulse beats a frantic rhythm as I track Sven’s movements, every footstep echoing in my head. Then, after what feels like forever, he stops. Turns. Comes straight to me.

“I’m 39 years old, Ava. Soon to be 40.” His voice is steady, but there’s weight behind it.

I nod, unsure of where this is going. “Okay…”

“Few players make it this long without a career-ending injury. Either they can’t keep up, or they get taken out.” His throat works as he swallows. “I’ve been lucky. Really lucky. So, I think it’s time I get out while I still can.”

My breath catches. “I don’t understand.”

Sven exhales, long and slow. “I’m going to retire at the end of this season. This baby proves I need to.”

And then, he does something I did not expect.

He smiles. No, he beams. And when his eyes shine with unshed tears, my own vision blurs.

“I’m gonna be a daddy.” His voice shakes, and as the words sink in, a tear slips down his cheek. “I guess we all are.”

“ Yeah, we are,” Eric says, grinning now, his own apprehension melting away.

Levi doesn’t speak, but his smile is just as wide.

Emotion surges in my chest, making it hard to breathe. “So… you’re okay with this?” I ask, needing to hear it.

“Look, it’s perfect. The media will focus on my retirement and the news about expecting.

Odds and Spandex can keep playing without drawing suspicion.

When word eventually gets out that you’re the mother, it won’t matter—I won’t be on the ice anymore.

No one needs to know the full truth about us. Barb will handle everything.”

Leighton speaks up hesitantly, her eyes flicking between us. "This is amazing news, but… it seems like there’s more to consider on that front, right?”

“Barb and coach have been good about giving us space, keeping things under wraps since Dean… for everyone’s sake, including theirs,” Levi adds. “No one’s the wiser.”

“Right. Let’s deal with things as they come, but for now, l want to celebrate,” Sven says.

The next thing I know, he’s lifting me off the ground, spinning me effortlessly. Laughter bubbles from my lips, but it’s laced with something more—something new and overwhelming .

Relief.

Happiness.

Love.

“Whoa, maybe we should keep both feet on the ground,” Eric teases. “Especially if we want this floor to stay vomit-free.”

Sven chuckles and gently sets me down, his hands lingering around my waist.

Leighton lets go of any worries about what this could mean down the line and instead lights up, squealing as she launches herself at me. “You’re going to have a baby!”

“I’m having a baby,” I smile, wiping a tear from my eye.

Her excitement is contagious, spreading through me like warmth I didn’t know I needed. As I look over at the three men by my side, the ones about to take this journey with me, something inside me finally settles.

For the first time, I feel grounded.

I have a home.

I have a family.

And my heart fills with overwhelming joy knowing that I’m going to build my life with the men who saved me in more ways than one.