Page 33 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)
"She feels good. I need all the practice I can get." He smiles back at me.
"Is Wren…?" My eyes widen.
"She is, but we aren't telling anyone. I shouldn't have said anything now. She found out about a month ago, but the pregnancy is wreaking havoc on her anxiety."
"Aww, poor Wren." My heart crushes for her, knowing everything she went through in her past—her panic and anxiety attacks—and how hard she's been working to manage it and be the healthiest version of herself.
"It's killing me that she's suffering in silence. She hasn't even told Daph or Meadow. Her therapist thinks that she's afraid that if she speaks it into existence, it will be taken away from her. It's something they’re working on."
"Well, thank you for trusting me with this secret. Does Mac know?"
"None of my brothers do. I plan on telling them soon, but I've been waiting for the go-ahead from Wren."
"Wow, I'm honored you shared that with me, and I'm just a phone call away if you need anything."
"Thanks, Cel." He smiles at me as we fall into another comfortable silence.
"I saw the press conference today. You know there's no truth to it, right?" He looks at me out of the corner of his eye.
"I do, and I did then, but I let Mac believe I wasn't sure."
"Ah, that explains the extra aggression today," Brooks muses.
"I…" I have no idea what I'm going to say to Mac's older brother, so my words die off.
"Did you apologize? Let him know you understand it's all bullshit?"
"I didn't get the chance, but I plan to if he'll let me."
"Good. He can be stubborn, but he loves the fuck out of you all. I saw it from the very beginning. You have been special to him from the start. Don't let the shit with the press ruin something beautiful."
"I won't. At least, I'm going to try not to. I want Maclan." I swallow hard. "No, I need him. The kids and I need him. We love him and don't want him to go anywhere."
"Then tell him and show him, and there's no way you'll lose him."
"Okay." I try to think of how I can show him that.
The girls sleep through the rest of the game as Brooks's quiet presence brings me more peace than I thought I'd find after the shitshow today turned out to be. The suite clears out pretty quickly, but Brooks stays to help me with the kids, which I am eternally thankful for.
Once all of our stuff is gathered and the kids are ready, I shoot Mac a text. I'm not really expecting a response but am surprised when I get one.
Celeste: Great game! The kids and I are so proud of you. I know today has been a disaster. I need to talk to you. Do you think you could come over?
Maclan: Thanks. I thought you were going to take the kids home. Press is insane right now. You guys need to clear out. I can have security escort you to your car. I think I'm just going to head home tonight. I'm exhausted.
Celeste: No need for security. Brooks is still here. I'll have him help us to the car.
Celeste: I guess I'll just see you tomorrow…
Sucking in a breath as I try to fight off my tears, I square my shoulders and pocket my phone.
Unfortunately, Brooks witnessed every second and is staring at me pretty hard.
"My little brother's being a jackass, isn't he?"
"Nope. He's just trying to protect us." I avoid his eyes as I guide Talon towards the elevators, get in, then hit the button to take us to the ground floor.
"Now that, I believe. But he also upset you, so spill it."
I can feel his stare on the side of my face, but I don't turn to meet his gaze.
"It's fine, Brooks. I invited him over, but he said he wanted to go home tonight because he's exhausted, which I don't blame him for.
It was a long day for him from the press conference to playing a very long, aggressive game.
The last thing he should have to deal with is a house full of rambunctious kids who aren't even his responsibility. "
"Whoa, they may not be his responsibility, but he loves the kids. You know that, right?" Brooks grabs my arms to turn me towards him.
"Shit." I rub my forehead, my migraine coming on. "I do know that. I'm just tired, and my head hurts. It's fine, Brooks. Really," I reassure him even though the last thing I feel is that my relationship with his brother is in good standing.
We make it to my car just as I start to see auras in the corners of my eyes.
Fucking, shit, damn it. Why, today of all days, do I need to be hit with a bad migraine when my mom is down and out with one, and Ezra and Daphne have plans this evening? I whine internally as I dig out my keys.
I barely get Calla buckled in before I stumble to the other side of the car to make sure Brooks has Layla buckled in correctly. Peeking in the back seat, I'm relieved to see Talon is ready to go. I double-check Layla's straps then slam the door shut.
"Thanks for your help today, Brooks. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime." He gives me a hug, but when he releases me, I stumble again.
"Are you okay?" Concern fills his eyes as I squint at him.
"Ugh, yeah, I'm just getting a migraine." I brush him off as I dig out medicine and swallow it down with some water without much hope of it helping.
I have several meds to help manage my migraines.
Some, I take daily as a preventative. Some, like the one I just took, are to help the actual migraine, but it only alleviates enough to help me function until I'm safely at home and can take my stronger prescriptions.
Unfortunately, as a single mom and the sole care provider for my kids, I don't get to take my stronger meds often, which means this will most likely be a horribly long and painful migraine that drags out for several days, unless my mom is feeling better and can watch the kids tomorrow.
But none of that is Brooks's concern.
"I can drive you home if—"
"I'm fine, Brooks," I cut him off. "I've dealt with migraines for as long as I can remember. My meds will kick in soon, and I'll be right as rain in no time."
"Are you sure? I can call Mac to—"
"No." Anger flares inside me. I refuse to call Mac to swoop in and save the day when he made it perfectly clear he does not want to see me today. "I will be fine, Brooks."
"Okay, if you say so. Will you at least text me when you get home please?"
"Yeah, I'll try and remember to do that." I force a smile. "But if I don't, don't just jump to worst-case scenario. I'm a mom of three demanding crotch goblins, who gets sidetrack. Text me first before you panic if you don't hear from me," I joke in an attempt to ease his worry.
"That, I can do." Brooks pulls me into a hug. "Don't give up on my brother. Let me know if he's being a stubborn ass."
"Okay."
As soon as Brooks releases me, I climb in the car and pull out of the parking lot. I may have told Brooks I am fine, but I am far from it. Normally, I would not drive the kids in my current state, but I'll be damned if I guilt Maclan into taking care of us right now.
The drive home is excruciating, and I have to pull over twice to puke.
I wish nothing more than to be able to call someone to come help me, but my reality is that I don't have anyone to call tonight. My mom needs my dad to care for her, and Daphne needs Ezra. Thankfully, the kids understand that I'm not feeling well and are on their best behavior.
We get home, and I'm relieved to find a ready-made meal from Mac's chef that I just have to throw in the microwave to heat for the kids.
The smell of dinner makes me sick again as I dry heave and debate whether I can take more meds or not.
My anti-nausea meds don't seem to be helping, which is extremely unfortunate.
I let the kids skip baths tonight. There's no way I can handle the splashing and squealing from the girls, along with the bright lights of the bathroom. I let Talon play some video games while I get Calla and Layla down for bed early. Neither of the girls fight too much, which is a huge relief.
When I get downstairs, I dissolve into tears. My boy has a tray of crackers and ginger ale waiting for me on the counter with a little note that says “sore ur sik” in his handwriting.
I search the house for him, only to find him passed out in his bed. He might be too old for naps, but going to a professional hockey game is exciting and exhausting for me as an adult. I know it's been draining for him. I kiss his head then close his door for the night.
Downstairs, I take more meds, grab my ice pack from the fridge, some water, and the tray Talon made for me, then head to my room. I make it through a few crackers before my stomach revolts and they come back up. While lying on the bathroom floor, the cool tiles feel too good on my heated skin.
I close my eyes for a minute and don't wake until strong arms wrap around me, lift me, and carry me to bed.