Page 80 of Her Puck Daddies

Still, 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.