Page 19

Chapter Eighteen

Troy

Practice is in full swing, but I’m only half here. My head’s somewhere else—specifically, with Noah and Savannah. I can’t help it; it’s been a hell of a week. Noah’s little face keeps popping into my mind, and I’m hoping Savannah’s okay handling everything.

I glance around the rink. Finn and Declan are in their usual spots, leading drills with the kind of focus and intensity that makes them excellent captains, keeping the team in line.

Jake’s on my left, giving me a smirk every time he passes me the puck, like he knows my mind’s not really in the game today. Axel’s practically bulldozing everyone who comes near him, and Jamie’s on the opposite side, catching my eye every few minutes like he’s waiting for a chance to talk.

“Come on, Adams!” Coach Nate’s voice booms across the rink, snapping me back to reality. “Stick in the game, or you’ll be sitting the match out on Friday!”

I snap to attention, digging into the ice and working through drills, doing my best to keep my head down and my focus sharp.

But Noah’s soft cooing from this morning’s doctor visit keeps sneaking into my mind, along with the way Savannah looked, holding him so naturally. Dammit, I need to pull it together.

Practice ends, and Jamie skates over, leaning casually on his stick. “So, how’s Noah?”

“He’s good,” I say, catching my breath. “And Savannah?”

“She’s good too,” I reply, trying to keep it casual. “Actually…you should come by and see him. You’ve been MIA for two days.”

Jamie raises an eyebrow. “How about breakfast tomorrow?”

I nod. “Works for me.”

He pats my shoulder, then gives me a lopsided grin. “Well, I’m out. Got some things to handle. Later.”

“Later,” I say, waving as he skates off. I can’t head out yet; Coach Thorne’s asked to see me. I head down the corridor toward his office, noticing the place is looking more organized than usual.

The clutter’s all but gone, the paperwork stacked neatly, and there’s a couple of fresh plants by the window.

Looks like Jade’s doing, and I can’t help but smile. Coach’s girlfriend must be rubbing off on him.

I knock, and Coach looks up from his desk, waving me in. “Troy, come on in.”

I sit down, and he leans back, studying me with his usual sharp, assessing gaze. “You feeling ready for the game Friday?”

“Yeah, Coach. Good to go.”

He nods but narrows his eyes a bit. “You’ve been a little…distracted lately. Everything all right?”

I hesitate, glancing down, then finally decide it’s time to just come clean. “A baby was dropped off at my place,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s…a long story. I’ve been up most nights trying to figure it out.”

Coach raises his eyebrows. “You’re telling me you’ve got a surprise baby?”

“Yeah. Could be mine, or it might be Jamie’s,” I say, feeling a little ridiculous even saying it out loud. “It’s complicated.”

Coach lets out a low whistle. “Damn, son. That’s one hell of a situation. Wish you’d come to me sooner. Could’ve given you a little support.”

I nod, feeling the weight of it all pressing down. “Didn’t know how to handle it. But…thanks, Coach, really.”

He leans forward, his face serious but understanding. “Look, if you’re gonna keep playing now that you have the kid to take care of, you’ll need a support system. Who’s helping you out?”

“Savannah,” I say, a small smile breaking through. “She’s Millie’s friend, actually.”

Coach nods, thinking. “You should bring her to the game on Friday, introduce her to Jade. Jade can help out, give her some support, too. That kid’s a big responsibility for one person alone.”

I feel a sense of relief flood through me. “Thanks, Coach. I’ll do that.”

I leave his office wondering why I hadn’t thought of that myself.

***

I unlock the front door and step in, expecting the usual quiet. But today, it’s not so simple. There’s a warm hum from the guest room, and the sight waiting for me freezes me in place.

Savannah stands there, holding Noah against her bare chest, skin-to-skin.

“Uh…” My voice falters. I clear my throat, trying not to stare but failing miserably. She looks up, and her cheeks go pink.

“Oh! I didn’t expect you back so soon.” Her voice is soft, almost a whisper.

I blink, attempting to keep my focus on her face. “I…uh…practice ended early today.”

Her face lights with understanding. “Oh, got it. Sorry, I know this must look weird.”

She adjusts Noah, making him wiggle, and my gaze shifts to…yeah, a little more side-boob than I’m prepared to handle.

“Uh, yeah, totally normal. I mean…okay, maybe not normal-normal, but…you know,” I mumble. It’s like my mouth’s forgotten how to work, and my brain’s no help. Keep cool! Keep cool! It screams.

She chuckles, looking down at Noah. “I read that new babies do well with skin-to-skin contact. Calms them down.”

My throat’s drier than sand. “Right. Makes sense.”

“Sorry if it’s…awkward,” she adds, biting her lip. “I could put a shirt on over us.”

“No! No, it’s fine.” I hold up my hands, feeling like an idiot. “I mean, you’re doing…whatever’s best for him. You’re being awesome.”

Her eyes meet mine, a soft smile in them. “Thanks, Troy. That means a lot.”

Doesn’t help that I’m fighting off every stupid sexy thought on earth about her in this moment.

“So…” I shove my hands into my pockets, desperate to focus. “I’ve got a game tonight. Thought maybe you’d wanna come?”

She tilts her head. “You’d want me to come?”

“Yeah.” I nod, a little too eagerly. “It’d be fun. Thought you might enjoy it.”

“I don’t know much about hockey,” she admits, a little sheepish. “I’d probably get lost in all the rules.”

“Not a problem,” I grin. “How ‘bout this? I’ll shower, then we can watch a game together, get you up to speed.”

Her smile widens. “I’d like that.”

“Great. Perfect.” I swallow, forcing myself to break eye contact. “I’ll just…yeah, I’ll be in my room.”

I walk away, my pulse hammering louder than it should. When I hit my room, I toss my gear in the corner, then head straight for the bathroom, stripping down on the way.

The moment the water’s on, I step under, letting it pound against my shoulders. But the image of Savannah’s bare skin with Noah in her arms isn’t going anywhere.

Dammit, Troy, get a grip. But my body has other ideas. I lean back, letting the hot water wash over me, and all I can think of is her, standing there looking so…so beautiful and soft and…

I grit my teeth, trying to push the image out of my mind, but it’s useless.

I give in, letting my hand slide down as I think about her. A soft moan slips out as I stroke myself, my mind filled with thoughts of her—her smile, the way she looked at me, the way she held Noah to her chest, so damn close.

I groan, my hand working faster, until finally, I’m lost in it, everything else slipping away.

When it’s over, I lean against the wall, catching my breath.

This girl’s got me twisted up, that’s for sure. And the worst part? I think she’s got Jamie hooked, too.

But for the first time, the thought of sharing doesn’t sit right with me. Savannah makes me want to be selfish.