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CHAPTER SIX

T here are many things in my life I have been absolutely sure of.

That I was meant to play professional hockey.

That I was born first to be my little sister’s hero.

That I was meant to be Audrina Hawkins’s best friend.

That I knew, even though I was drafted out of high school, I wanted to get my degree in sports medicine. Plus, hockey isn’t guaranteed, especially with how a simple injury could take you out in mere seconds.

That I would die for my sister and my parents. The same goes for Anya and William, who are more my aunt and uncle than just friends of the family. I knew I’d keep my promise to everyone, and I would find Audrina.

That I was absolutely wrong for what I said to her the morning after I left my bed.

That there is nothing in this world that can deter me from loving her.

That one day, she’d be mine.

And that the child who sits on the hip of the lady before me is mine.

I had felt such peace when I held Audrina close. When her scent had all but consumed me, but as quickly as she moved away was how quickly that peace was replaced by emotions I didn’t know I’d be feeling when I finally found her.

Panic.

Fear.

Confusion.

Shock.

Anger.

All of them, slamming into me all at once. I brace my hand on the table, my heart crashing into my ribs like I’ve skated twenty-nine minutes with no rest whatsoever. My body has gone cold, my stomach feels as if it’s falling out of my dick, and all I can do is stare at the toddler in the arms of an older lady who is still watching me as curiously as I do her. The older lady has her brows pinched, her eyes sharp as she looks between Audrina and me.

She knows she’s just seen the father of the child she holds.

The child she has gotten to love, when I had no clue she existed.

“Damn, that kid looks like your sister,” Owen blurts, but I already know that.

The child is Ingrid’s twin, wild, curly dark hair that tumbles below her chin, dark-brown eyes with her mother’s upturned nose. Looking like a goth Anna from Frozen . Unlike my sister’s porcelain skin, though, this little girl has a dusting of freckles along her cheeks and nose. Her eyes are wide, doe-like that mirror Audrina’s. Her lashes are long, thick, and even though she looks as if she is about to pass out from whatever is ailing her, she is the most beautiful child I’ve ever seen.

She’s a perfect mix of Audrina and me.

She’s mine.

Mine.

But what really kicks me in the groin and lets me know she is mine without even asking? She has a bright-pink headband that is holding her hearing aids in place on her ears. Just like my father and my sister. Tears burn my eyes, a ball of emotion lodges in my throat, and I’m unable to look away. I can only stare at the little person who has lived her whole life without me.

When the child signs Mommy , I have to hold back the sob that wants to break free. Instead, I grunt like she didn’t just sign for Audrina but rather kicked me square in the balls.

I tear my gaze from her to look at her mother, but Audrina is moving, just as fast as her hands. Oh, my poor girl. Do you not feel well?

I think I might pass out.

Seeing Audrina sign takes me back to all the classes we took when we found out Ingrid was hard of hearing. We learned that my father’s condition was hereditary and had been passed down to his daughter—and now, to mine. I can’t swallow past the lump in my throat as I watch Audrina tend to our child. She brushes her hair out of her face, feeling her cheeks then her head.

The older lady says something, but Audrina only shakes her head. She then takes the girl, gathering her in her arms. Without a backward glance or even a word to me, she walks away from me. The little girl looks over her shoulder at me, her brown eyes, the same color I see when I look in a mirror, burning into mine as if she knows me.

That can’t be, though.

But then she raises her little hand, wiggling her fingers at me, and my legs lock underneath me. I collapse into the booth, leaning on it as I watch Audrina carry the child up the side stairs, leaving the older lady behind. My chest aches from how hard my heart is beating. I feel eyes on me. I know Owen and Telly are speaking, but all I can see is Audrina going up the stairs. Surely I’m dreaming. This can’t be real. But I can still feel Audrina in my arms; I can feel her skin against my lips. Most of all, I know that little girl was looking into my eyes like she knew me.

Holy shit.

Once she’s gone, I look up to find the older lady watching me, her eyes sharper than a tack, before taking Audrina’s place, getting customers what they need.

“Um, Orlov…you good?” Telly asks, but I can’t answer him. I’m too busy willing my legs to work so I can chase after them.

“Dude, what the hell just happened?” Owen asks, but all I can do is shake my head. “Are you sure that’s Audrina?”

“Is that your kid?” Telly asks, but still, words elude me. All I can hear is the roar of my blood, and I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. This can’t be. Audrina didn’t just run away from me…she hid my kid? How could she do this? I get that I hurt her, but to hide a child from me? Her parents? Mine? Ingrid?

What the fuck was she thinking?

Telly looks up, and I do the same to see the older lady standing at our table. She presses her hands into her hips, her eyes shooting daggers at me. “About time you showed up.” I can only gawk at her as she glares down at me. “I don’t know what your intentions are, but they better be good. Maria is the best mother I know and I love them, but this baby needs her father. She cries for you, carries a picture of you and Maria together and wonders when you’ll come for her. I was getting tired of hearing Maria say, ‘One day,’ but I guess she was right. Here you are.”

Each of her words is a slash to my chest. Anger vibrates throughout me alongside unfathomable pain. My throat works as I keep my gaze on her. Across the table, Owen says, “Bro, I don’t think that’s your kid. Her name is Maria.”

My voice is gravel as I mutter, “That’s Audrina’s middle name.”

“No fucking way,” Telly gasps, his eyes wide.

“So, that’s your kid?” Owen asks, mirroring Telly’s shocked look.

I ignore him because, really? Read the damn room. I hold the older lady’s gaze. “I didn’t know.”

“I realize that, but you’re here now. What are you going to do?”

What am I going to do?

What I promised.

I reach into my pocket, pulling out my keys and throwing them at Owen. I then toss money on the table, not sure how much we spent but knowing it can’t be more than the hundred that lands on the Formica.

“Thatcher?”

“Take my car. Go home,” I manage to get out as I stand. “I’ve got to figure this out.”

Telly’s eyes go wide as he urges, “We have a game tomorrow.”

I wave him off. “This is more important.”

“How are you going to get home?” Owen asks, and the shock on his face mirrors mine, I’m sure.

I get out of the booth. “I’ll figure that out later.”

I don’t even give them time to stop me or suggest otherwise. I move past the older lady and head toward the stairs. I feel everyone’s gazes on me, but I can’t care about anything but getting up those damn stairs. I take them three at a time, and they lead to a dark-red door. I lift my hand to knock, but I don’t want to give Audrina the choice to hide any longer. I grab the knob, turning it and entering without warning.

Audrina lets out a cry of surprise from where she’s lying on the bed with our daughter, who is resting on her belly while Audrina rubs her back. I step inside, and my stomach drops as I take in the small room. I assumed it was an apartment with bedrooms and a kitchen, but it’s basically a hotel room. Not a luxury one, but a Motel 6. There are toys everywhere and a clothes rack holding her clothes and the child’s. A desk and a little table are off to the side by the smallest kitchen I’ve ever seen. It’s basically just a mini fridge and a microwave. I don’t understand what I am looking at. Her family are billionaires, and she’s living like this?

She chose this rather than come home to her family?

To me?

What the hell?

My body is shaking with ire as I cut my gaze back to Audrina’s worried one. Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she holds my gaze. It’s almost like she’s bracing for my wrath. I’m about to give it to her until my eyes fall on the child beside her. The little girl’s eyes are closed, her face red from the fever, I assume. Audrina keeps her hand moving along her small back as she holds my gaze.

Looking at her is like standing in the middle of a brush fire. Flames licking up my body, searing my skin, but I can’t move. If I’m standing in the fire with her, I’ll burn. Neither of us speaks; we just stare at each other. Tears spill over her cheeks and gather in her lashes, but I can’t react to them. The last time I lost my cool, I lost her. I can’t do that this time around.

I need answers.

But most of all, I need to figure out a way to get them home.