Page 88 of Pinch

“I’m not sure.” Gigi catches my hand. “But start preparing yourself.”

We hold hands as we walk slowly back the way we came. I cuddle Patsy under my neck rather than putting her in the backpack.

“We’d better hurry or we’re going to miss warmup.” Gigi runs up the porch steps when we get home. “And I know you want to see Gav stretching.”

Heat pushes out the misery, and I chew my lip. I do want to see him so much.

24

Gavin

We keep winning, and for the first time in my hockey career, I wish we weren’t.

I love the game with all my heart, but the more we win, the longer our season lasts, and Haddy needs me.

Her due date will be in July, which is kind of perfect. Even if we go to the championships, I should be finished by then, but I don’t want to be on the road if she goes into labor or has any issues or complications.

Still, I can’t let the guys down. Nobody wants to go home in April. So I fly around the rink, playing my best, putting pressure on the forwards, working with Mav on our signature plays.

He slaps another shot into the goal, and I’ll be damned. My best friend just scored a hat trick.

The arena is on their feet roaring, and I look up to where the girls are sitting. They’re jumping up and down hugging each other, big smiles on their faces.

Haddy is wearing my jersey, and she and Gigi wave in time to the beats of “Nokia” by Drake, which has somehow become one of our celebration songs. I think it started because of the part where he saysIce like Gretzky.

Even if I’m frustrated with her, I can’t stop a chuckle when I see the two of them shaking their cute butts and pumping their arms in celebration. I mean, hell, our roommate slash their cousin slash my best friend just pulled off a major score. Another win for the Champions.

Haddy’s been sending me little texts every day. Mostly they’re about how she’s feeling, the fact she’s officially in the second trimester, and the books are right. She’s feeling great, looking beautiful, and so far, still not showing.

Standing under the shower after the game, as the hot water runs down my face, I smile thinking about her. I won’t lie, I can’t wait for the day when her belly pops, and she’s walking around with that bump showing.

When I talked to Dad again, he told me to be patient. Security is important in relationships. Trust is the foundation. I need to fucking find Karen and make her confess the truth.

I’ve been turning that idea over in my head since that night in the kitchen. I lost track of her after college, but I imagine she wouldn’t be too hard to find on social media. She was one of those International Princess Women, after all.

I’m still thinking about it when I arrive for Haddy’s doctor’s appointment the next day.

My hood is over my head, and I’m wearing dark sunglasses. Even though I’m pretty sure no one is following me all the way out to Pasadena, I still make the driver let me out a block away. I’m being extra careful for my girl.

When I see her in the waiting room, she looks up at mewith so much hope in her pretty blue eyes. She’s doing her best, and I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her. It was so hard to go straight to bed last night after the game. I wanted to go straight to her.

Still, I have to be strong. I don’t want a relationship where she thinks I’m capable of betraying her. I want her to believe in me.

Dr. Barry starts with the ultrasound, and like always, she’s peppy, telling us the baby is the size of an avocado now.

“A chip off the ole guac, you might say,” she teases.

“That’s terrible!” Haddy groans through a laugh as the doctor slides the wand over her belly.

“Just giving the big guy here some ideas for dad jokes.”

I lift my chin to the petite physician. “Appreciate it.”

“Well, everything looks great. All that’s left is the bloodwork.” She takes some tissues out of a box, handing some to Haddy and using the others to wipe off the tool. “Don’t be worried, it’s all standard procedure, and I’ll have the results back pretty quickly. You won’t have to obsess too long.”

We thank her, and I walk with Haddy to the phlebotomy station. The woman places six glass vials on the tray, and Haddy sticks out her tongue.

“That’s a lot of blood,” she mutters, not sounding happy.