Page 32 of Power Play (Titans Hockey #2)

Chapter twenty-nine

Lacey

I feel about as small as an ant.

What was supposed to be a romantic evening out turned into an absolute train wreck. And I want nothing more than to leave. To run away and hide and never leave the house again. Never leave his house again. Christ, I don't even have my own place.

"Go on," Scott says.

I look up at him, surprised.

He twirls his finger in the air in a 'go on' motion. "Tell me what's going on in that beautiful head of yours."

I debate lying and pretending I'm fine, but if I've learned anything, it's that Scott can read me like a book.

"It's just... everything you said. You're dating a woman pregnant with kids who might not be yours.

I just..." I look down at my lap again, miserable.

"I just wonder why you're with me. Why bother? "

I look up at him with a fraction of hope. The look he's giving me is adoring, but he has to know how ridiculous our situation is, right?

The hand playing with my hair moves to the back of my neck, where he grips it firmly.

"I'm with you... I'm bothering... because I like you.

Because you make my life better and brighter, just because you're in it.

Because you're letting me help raise these kids, even if they're not my own.

Because you make me happier than I have been, maybe ever.

Because, whether you believe me or not, I actually enjoy hanging out with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

I'm bothering because you are the best woman I've ever met, and I'm really fucking glad you let me stick around. "

I blink up at him, shocked. I knew he liked me, and I knew he wanted a chance with a family, but this... this confession has me floored. And Ben's absolutely right. I don't take compliments well. So, I stare back at my lap, unsure of how to process his words.

He leans even closer. Closer than what's appropriate at a fine dining restaurant. "And I'll let you in on a little secret." His breath coasts over my cheek. "I'm going to spoil you so much you'll never want to get rid of me. It's all part of the master plan."

I pull back to try to look at his face. But Scott doesn't let me retreat.

He brings my forehead to his. "Jacqueline only ever had her self-interests at heart.

She was exactly what she thought I wanted because she knew I would make it big one day.

And then I did, and gave her everything she wanted, and it still wasn't enough.

You? I've only ever seen you give. You give yourself to me and the boys, you give yourself to the team.

You could have quit, and I still would have spoiled you rotten.

But you insist on working. You could have forced me into a relationship, but you were going to raise two babies on your own.

Lacey..." he whispers my name and closes his eyes as if trying to regain some control.

My stomach clenches with all the unspoken things.

"You're giving me everything I've ever wanted - a family, and someone who wants to be with me for me.

Two things I'd given up on ever finding.

You have no idea..." He pauses, seemingly needing a moment to compose himself.

One deep breath in, one deep breath out.

"I would give anything for that. But I don't have to give anything, because you're so fucking amazing, you don't know any other way but to give. You have no idea how sexy that is. "

I see the moment he can sense I'm overwhelmed.

He leans back in his chair, releasing my neck. "Or you can tell me how fat my cock is again."

The snort-laugh I release is definitely not flattering and gets more than a few sideways glances in this fancy restaurant, but I couldn't care less. Because Scott's chest expands like he's proud of himself for releasing my tension.

And any smile I can put on this handsome man's face is worth it. The Scott Ward that the world knows is hard, disciplined, broody. The Scott Ward that I know is funny, sweet, and happy. And that makes me want to keep him happy.

We finish our desserts, but before we leave, I have to pee. "Let me just go to the ladies' room before we leave."

Scott nods, but I can feel his gaze on me as I stand and walk away. He's definitely staring at my ass. Out of all of the boys, he seems to be the most turned on by how my body is changing. It's an incredible boost for my ego.

But when I push open the door to the bathroom, Jaqueline’s there. Because of course she's there. I roll my eyes. She's standing at the sink as if waiting for me.

"I know what you're doing," she says, glaring at me.

"What? Peeing?" I say, pushing open one of the stall doors, stepping in and closing it behind me. Jaqueline lets out a disgusted little huff. Well, she wanted to ambush me in the bathroom. She can listen to me pee. What is it with bathrooms and women?

I do my business, flush, and step out of the stall again.

"You're trapping him with a baby. But I know Scott.

I knew him before he was famous and now.

And he'll grow tired of you and this little fantasy of a family-ever-after and he'll kick you to the curb.

Don't get comfortable, Lacey," she says my name with such derision it sends a chill down my spine. "You're the flavor of the week."

Her words don't have their intended effect on me.

I shrunk under Scott's words earlier, because I was terrified that he would realize our situation was insane and think better of it.

But that was only because I care deeply about what Scott thinks and feels.

Jaqueline? I couldn't care less. So, when I don't have an emotional reaction to her, I see her words for what they are.

She's jealous because she thinks I'm pulling the same trick on Scott that she tried to pull on him, but that I'm succeeding.

Scott is an incredible man, and I can't blame her for wanting him.

But I can blame her for how she treated him.

But she wants him for all the wrong reasons.

She wants him for the lifestyle he can give her - the big house, the fancy clothes, the expensive vacations.

Scott is so much more than that. He's a warrior, strong and brave, and ready to protect and defend every moment. He's stern and strict and takes away all of my worries and fears.

I wash my hands in the sink, taking my time.

"The difference between me and you, Jacki…

" I say, throwing just as much derision on her name as she did on mine.

"…is that I know Scott's amazing. And I appreciate him.

You knew he was amazing, and it still wasn't enough for you.

I feel sad for you, honestly. Because you had the world at your feet, and it still wasn't enough. I’m just wise enough to know what I have and appreciate it. "

It's a low blow, I know, and I'm not used to confrontation, but something in Scott's words has bolstered me, given me some strength.

If he believes in me, I believe in me. I'm not insecure or worried about him getting rid of me.

He's shown me time and time again that he wants me, that he wants this.

And even if he does want to break up, I know I'll be fine.

I've been relying on only myself for years, I can do it again.

But I know I won't have to. Ben, Garrett, and Scott have all stepped up to help me.

And for the first time, maybe in my entire life, I feel secure.

I feel protected, and like I have someone reliable to lean on.

Jaqueline’s face pales and I know I've hit a sensitive part. She came in here thinking she was going to bully me or make me insecure enough to fight with Scott. She wasn't expecting me to go on the attack.

A part of me feels guilty for hitting her weakness, but another part of me knows she hurt my man, and the girlfriend in me wants to fight back.

I finally have something of my own, and instead of being afraid someone's going to take it from me, I'm fighting back.

I've let Tracey take men from me before, but no more. These babies are going to get to know the men in my life, and Jaqueline’s going to have to fight me if she wants one of them.

I dry my hand on the towels and give her an unaffected shrug. "One man's trash is another man's treasure, right?"

I throw the paper towels away, pat her condescendingly on the shoulder, and walk back into the dining area.

Now that I know Scott better - his drive, his protectiveness, his heart - I can't imagine ever walking away from him. She's an idiot.

Adrenaline sings through my veins, but I smile. I've never done something as confrontational as that, and my body knows.

When Scott sees me, though, he quirks an eyebrow. That's when I realize I'm grinning from ear to ear .

"Peeing make you that excited?" he asks when I sit next to him, his voice low and intimate. I laugh.

"No. Putting your ex in her place did, though."

I'm giddy, and full of energy. I feel like I just pranked someone or got away with something naughty. I never acted out as a kid, but I feel like I've TP'ed someone's house and ran away, getting away with it.

But Scott stills, and his look gets tense.

"What did she say to you?" His tone is serious, angry, ready to pounce, and he's looking behind me to the bathroom. I have no doubt if I said she'd hurt me, he'd defend me.

But I put my hand on his hard thigh. "It was fine. She confronted me, but I don't think she liked the dose of reality I gave her."

His large hand wraps around mine, but his gaze remains on the bathroom. "If she upset you..."

I squeeze his hand. "Look at me. Do I look upset?"

He does, and I watch as his muscles relax.

"When we get in the car, you're giving me a play-by-play recap of what was said."

I smile and roll my eyes. "Such a hockey coach thing to say."

"You're lucky you're pregnant, because I'd turn your ass red for rolling your eyes at me." He threatens, a dark promise in his tone.

I roll my eyes again. "The babies are in my stomach, not my ass.... sir," I add in the end, knowing it drives him crazy.

"Check!" he shouts, raising his hand in the air. Again, a couple dozen faces turn towards us for making a ruckus in a fancy restaurant, but the heat in Scott's eyes promises so much more, and fuck if I'm not here for it.