Page 49 of Power Play (Titans Hockey #2)

Chapter forty-five

Lacey

I feel like a beached whale. Tonight, I've agreed to go with Garrett to his parents’ annual charity gala as his wife and baby mama.

His mother started it, and his father kept it going.

It's the last thing I want to do. I'm at the stage in my pregnancy where I'm just uncomfortable.

The babies are sitting low in my pelvis, making me want to lounge on the couch in the boys' clothes and wallow in self-pity.

I did draw the line and insist on wearing flats instead of heels. My center of gravity is already off with my belly, and the last thing I need is to fall or twist an ankle trying to wear heels.

Instead, I've squeezed my huge belly and tits into this satin gown and just spent the last hour letting a small army of women do my hair and makeup.

When they step away, however, and I get my first look in the mirror, I smile.

I look gorgeous. The makeup's not over the top.

They've accentuated the parts of me I already like - my lips look just a bit larger, and my eyes look brighter.

My hair is done in stunning waves that are pinned to lie over one shoulder.

My hand goes to my belly. I look like a fertility goddess.

"Woah," Garrett says as he sees me for the first time. He's in a tux and my eyes drink him up like water. I've seen him in his game-day suits, but the man in a tux is drool worthy. Black fabric encompasses his broad shoulders. He's elegant and classy.

He comes to stand behind me and takes a look at us in the mirror. His hand snakes around my lower back and rests on my hip. We look good together. He gives me a small, soft smile before kissing me on the temple.

"I can't thank you enough for this."

I shrug. "Of course."

Scott and Ben wait for us by the front door.

Both of them react to seeing me differently.

Ben's eyes go soft and adoring. Scott's eyes get dark and heated.

I nearly scurry past him on the way out.

He looks like a predator and I'm the prey.

I do give each of them a kiss on the cheek, though, and wish them a good night.

Garrett's rented a driver and a town car for tonight.

Once the driver's pulled onto the highway, I rub my hands together before resting one of them on Garrett's hard thigh. "So, what can I expect?"

He winces slightly. "You're going to meet my dad, Robert Jones.

My grandfather George will probably be there, too.

I expect they'll ask you questions. They'll be suspicious.

They know the terms of my trust, so they'll be suspicious that I suddenly got married and have a baby on the way without any publicity of me even dating anyone. "

"Okay. I can handle that."

We make easy small talk for the rest of the ride. We're both a little nervous, so our hands haven't stopped touching each other. I'm rubbing small circles on his thigh while his arm is wrapped behind my back and he's rubbing the crease of my thigh.

"We're here," says the driver.

"Thank you, Alan. I'll text when we're ready to leave."

"Yes, sir."

Alan gets out and opens the door for us. Garrett holds my hand and helps me navigate my belly and dress in front of a large white luxury hotel. He wraps my hand around the crease of his arm and guides me inside.

Bright lights flash as the press and paparazzi take our pictures. Garrett tucks me closer under his arm as protection, but waves and smiles at the camera. The picture from our wedding circulated the gossip rags for a bit, but this is our first official sighting out in public together.

I swallow. It's all a bit... real.

Living with the boys, working with them, traveling with them, it's all been real, but we've been secluded in our safe little bubble. The team knows all about our situation, but we're a very close-knit family, and no one really outside of the Titans family knows anything.

No faking anything now.

He guides me through the automatic doors, and we follow a few other well-dressed people into a large event room. Round tables are scattered throughout, covered by ivory tablecloths, candles and beautiful low bouquets of white, cream, and pink flowers.

A stage is set up at the far end, and two bars have been brought in and line the sides of the room.

I'm suddenly nervous and squeeze Garrett's arm a little tighter.

He leans in and kisses my temple in response.

The effect it has on me is instant. I'm here.

With him. He's got me, it says. That no matter what happens tonight, I'm his, he's mine, and we'll go home together, to our family.

We make our way around the tables, looking for our names.

"Garrett," a low voice says from behind us. We turn and I freeze as I see an older version of Garrett. Same sandy brown hair, same elegant nose, same dimple on his chin. Garrett's father .

Garrett's father is flanked by an even older version - his grandfather. Man, these Jones genetics are strong. I place a hand over my stomach, wondering if one of the babies inside me has a dimpled chin. It makes me smile.

"Father," Garrett nearly growls. He's not even trying to hide his disdain. Instinctively, my hand rests against his lower back. I've got him. I absolutely hate bullies, and I will not let this man disrespect or hurt my husband.

It strikes me then. I've never had something to be so protective of.

I've never had someone so completely mine.

Even in High School I think I knew Ben and I had an expiration date.

We loved each other with the fever and passion only na?ve kids with stars in their eyes could have.

But I always knew he'd either play in college or go pro straight out of High School, so I'm not sure I ever gave him 100% of me.

Of course I didn't. I wouldn't have fallen into bed with two other men.

My smile broadens. But now that I did, I have three men to be protective of, and two little ones inside. My eyes prickle with tears when I think about how alone I was a year ago, and how my family's grown by five. Or sixty, if you want to include the rest of the Titans and staff, too.

I blink back to the present and paste a guarded smile on my face. "Mr. Jones," I say, holding out my hand to him.

He breaks his stare-off with his son and peers at me, as if just realizing I'm here.

"And you are...?" He takes my hand in his.

"Don't play dumb, Dad. You saw the wedding announcement. You know who she is. "

He holds my hand a beat longer than necessary and it sends the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

I tug my hand out of his grip. "Lacey Jones, sir.

A pleasure to meet you." I offer my hand to the eldest Jones.

"And you must be George." Where Robert's smile has a vicious edge to it, George's seems genuine.

From what Garrett has told me, George was a mechanic until he retired, so Richard didn't grow up wealthy, but Garrett's mother's sudden influx of luxury must have corrupted him.

Thank God Garrett couldn't give a shit about money. I'm not sure where we would be if he did. I'm suddenly even more grateful for this man.

George pulls me in for a kiss on the cheek. "You look beautiful, dear." His warm blue eyes drop to my belly. "A great grandkid," he says, almost wistfully. "I never thought I'd see the day."

I rest my hand over my belly again. "Kids, sir. We're having twins."

Garrett's hand comes to the back of my neck, and he holds it in a possessive embrace. I love how openly affectionate with me he is.

George's smile only widens while Robert shifts, his weight irritated.

"Do you know the sex yet?"

"We don't, sir. We're waiting to be surprised." I smile up at my handsome husband.

"Enough of this, sir, business. Call me George." He takes me under the arm and escorts me around to find our seats. I look back and make sure Garrett will be alright alone with his father. His shoulders are tense, but he nods at me.

"So, tell me all about yourself. You're my granddaughter-in-law now. You're family now." His brow furrows slightly. "I'll have to get on Gare's case later about not bringing you around sooner. "

I laugh and pat his arm gently. "Yes. Let's do that."

He helps me to my seat, and we chat comfortably. He's warm and confident and sure of himself. I don't share the details of our living arrangement, or the two other men involved in this relationship, but do share about my childhood, my work, and listen as he shares stories of Garrett as a child.

If I can spend all night chatting with George, I may actually enjoy myself.

I keep an eye on Garrett as we chat, though. Whatever his father had to say to him was short, and he's making his rounds, being social and playing host. I guess with his mother gone, the duty is shared between father and son.

Most of the time I steal a peek at Garrett, he's already looking at me.

"Excuse me, George." I say, scooting to the edge of my chair in preparation to stand. "I need the restroom. These little nuggets like to tap dance on my bladder."

"Of course, dear," he says as he helps me to stand.

I use the restroom, wash my hands, but as I step back out into the hallway, I'm gripped harshly by the upper arm.

"Ow!" I yell, pulling my arm out of the grip and spinning around. Garrett's father had been waiting for me. Gross.

I sneer at him. "I know what you're doing. I know he's paid you. Whatever he offered you, I'll triple it to disappear."

I scoff at him and go to turn back to the ballroom. He grips me again just above my elbow, hard enough I know it'll bruise, and my vision goes red .

I spin back at him. I've never been an angry, rude, or judgmental person. I pride myself on being easy to get along with, not rocking the boat, and fading into the background. Not tonight, though.

This man is trying to break up my family. The only true family I've ever had. The mama bear in me flares.

I step forward, jabbing Richard in the chest with my finger.

"He's not paying me a dime. He wouldn't have to. That man out there is one of the kindest, most thoughtful, caring men I've ever met and I'm proud to call him my husband."

I spin on my heel, ready to return to said husband, but Richard's not done being an ass yet.

"He only married you for the trust."

He thinks I don't know about the money. " I asked him to marry me." I shout back over my shoulder.

"He's cheating on you. A man like that can never be faithful. He’ll use you for the money and then drop you and your babies on the street."

My heart freezes for a beat. I don’t care about the money, but that is a deep fear of mine. A wound created by countless betrayals. But in the very next beat, I do a gut check to see if I really feel like Garrett could cheat on me. The answer is a loud, resounding 'no'.

I spin back around and step into him again. I don't want to cause a scene and we're nearly back to the ballroom.

"You know what? I don't believe you. I don't believe you so hard you could show me proof of him cheating and I still wouldn't believe you.

You know why?" I pause for effect. "Because I believe in him.

You may not, but I do." I go to turn away again but stop myself.

"He's going to be ten times the father you ever were.

He knows what unconditional love is because I give it to him.

And he can't wait to love on our babies. "

I turn back to the ballroom and my feet stutter. I look up and see Garrett. My Garrett. Blue eyes surprised and shining. His face wears a goofy grin, full of awe and admiration. I flush, a little embarrassed that he heard all of that, but only a little.

I grab his arm, tuck my hand into his elbow, and lead him back to our table.

"How much of that did you hear?"

He's quiet for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. I look up at him and he tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.

"You believe in me?"

I nod, relieved. I hate the idea that Garrett knows what his father was doing, that he would go so far to try to break up our marriage, just for the trust, but I meant every word I said to Richard. Garrett is a good man, and I'm lucky to have him.

Sitting on the table in front of me is a beautiful, deep pink drink. I raise an eyebrow at him in question.

"It's a pomegranate mocktail."

The familiar prickle of tears appears behind my eyelids.

God, I'm too hormonal for sweet gestures.

Jonesy, the impulsive, selfish asshole, was merely hiding Garrett, my sweet, thoughtful husband.

The one who shaved my pussy when I got too big to.

The one who helps me put my shoes on in the morning and take them off at night.

The one who runs out at two AM to buy me limes when I'm having a craving .

I take his face in both of my hands and drag him to me for a pouty kiss. His lips mold to mine and I sigh. I'm not sure I'll ever get enough of kissing this man.

When the kiss ends, he pulls back a little to take in my face. I can't help my chin and lower lip quivering in emotion.

"I love you," I whisper. The soft smile on his face only widens.

He confessed he loved me during our wedding night, but I hadn't said it back yet. The moment never felt right.

He shakes his head as if in disbelief. "I never thought I'd love three little words so much. I never knew love was real until you."

He rests his hand on my belly. His meaning is clear.

He felt love that night, and I hope afterwards. But now he knows what it's like to be loved.

He knows both loves now, because of me and our babies.