Page 57 of Pucking One Night Stand

I bolt. Out of the dining room, down the hall, practically shoulder-charging the bathroom door open before I’m on my knees with my head in the bowl.

After emptying my stomach, I get to my feet, splash cold water on my face, and stare at myself in the mirror like I’m expecting it to talk back and tell me what the hell to do.

It doesn’t.Rude.

I drag myself upstairs. Shower, makeup, clothes, hair. I’m back in control. Sort of. I grab my bag and laptop case from the foot of the stairs and leave the house like nothing's wrong.

Vegas is already waking up. Blurred neon, digital billboards flash overpriced drinks, and images of half-naked dancers. People stumble out of clubs, and others are already in line for brunch like it’s a sport.

And here I am. One foot in last night. One foot in complete, life-altering chaos.

How do I tell him? Do I just blurt it out?

“Oh, hi, Blake, last night you fucked me so good that this morning I can’t walk straight, and by the way, I’m having your baby.”

Yeah. No. That’s not it.

I need to seriously think this one through. I don’t want him doing a runner.

I like him. I mean, really like him. No, want him. No… need him.

Oh, fuck... Seriously, how the hell did this happen?

Well, technically, I know how it happened. I was there. Very much so. Enthusiastically so.

But emotionally? Spiritually? I don’t know how this snuck up on me. I really, really want Blake Mitchell.

Jesus. What if he wants nothing to do with it?

The nerves creep in as the arena looms ahead. Silver State Arena: home of blood, sweat, egos, and a thousand complicated relationships.

I show my ID at the gate, the security guy gives me a lazy nod, and the barrier lifts.

I pull into the lot.

The team is already making their way to the entrance, Peters, Davis, McAvoy, Bishy, and Brody, while Valerie, Michael, and Torro trail behind. Riley is leaning against Holly’s car, chatting with Musa, Gretchen, and Holly herself.

And then, Blake pulls into the lot.

His truck rumbles into its usual spot, and his engine cuts off like a statement.

I’m mid-step when Riley waves me down.

“Hey!” she jogs up beside me. “Remember, we have a ten o’clock meeting with Valerie in the board room. Scheduling for the Roomies filming.”

I nod, trying to pretend like the world isn’t tilting. “Got it.”

She keeps talking, all about some new bar that opened on the Strip, but out of the corner of my eye, I watch Blake swing his door open.

I interrupt her mid-sentence. “Listen, I’ll see you inside soon. There’s something I need to do.”

“Okay, girl.” She smirks and tosses me a wink as she heads inside.

I make my way to Blake’s truck.

He looks up just as I approach. The grin’s already forming. “Morning, beautiful,” he calls out. “Last night. Wow!”

But this time, I’m not smiling. I’m not joking.