Page 23

Chapter Twenty-Two

Savannah

“So, what the hell was that?” Millie asks, her brow raised in curiosity as she sets the baby carrier down. “Are you and Jared dating?”

I shrug, trying to play it cool. “It’s...complicated.”

“Complicated how? Like me and Declan and Finn and Chase complicated?” Millie presses, leaning in closer.

“It’s more like a twisty roller coaster, I guess.” I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Jade snorts, shaking her head. “So exactly like Millie’s harem?”

I feel my cheeks turn pink. “Yes.’

“There’s gotta be something in the Chicago Icebreakers’ arena water supply. First, it was Millie, then me, and now you!” Jade says.

I laugh, scratching the back of my neck. “Honestly, I’m not even sure what anything means right now.”

Just then, Noah starts cooing, and I can’t help but pick him up from the carrier. He smiles up at me, his little fingers reaching for the air.

Millie watches, her expression softening. “I’m here if you ever need to talk, you know?”

“Thanks,” I reply, grateful for her support.

Jade glances at her watch. “I’m gonna run to grab snacks before the game starts. Can you keep an eye on JJ and Stanley?”

She smiles at the little boys in the stroller.

“Of course!” Millie says, and I nod along.

“What’re you craving?” I ask Jade.

“Flamin’ Hot Cheetos! Carter’s been on this health kick for the last three weeks, and it’s driving Axel and me insane,” she explains, rolling her eyes.

“Carter...?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. I thought she was with the Coach and Axel.

“Oh! My boyfriends!” she replies with a playful grin. “Like I said, there is something in the water.”

I feel my cheeks heat up. “Oh, right.”

Millie laughs at my reaction. “And I’d love a hot chocolate. You know, to warm me up.”

“In this weather?” I tease, raising an eyebrow.

“Don’t knock it till you try it! It’s like the holidays all year round when you have a block of ice sitting in front of you.” She gestures to the hockey rink and we all laugh.

Jade throws her hands up, feigning innocence. “Don’t bother, I give up. What about you, honey? What can I get you?”

I can’t help but giggle. “All right, fine. I’ll have anything pickle-flavored. I’ve been craving pickles like crazy.”

Millie groans, her face scrunching up. “Ugh, don’t remind me! I had a pickle obsession with my second pregnancy. It was ridiculous!”

Suddenly, my stomach drops. When was the last time I had my period? The thought hits me hard.

“Savannah?” Millie’s voice pulls me back. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just...thinking.” I force a smile, but inside, I’m a mess.

“Thinking about what?” Jade asks, tilting her head.

“Nothing important,” I reply, trying to brush it off.

“Come on, you can tell us,” Millie says, concern flickering in her eyes.

“Seriously, it’s nothing,” I insist, but I can’t shake the gnawing feeling in my stomach.

Jade glances at the door. “I’ll be back in a flash.”

Millie tilts her head, smirking at me. “So, how’s it been living with Troy?”

I shrug, trying to keep it casual. “It’s…fine.”

“Fine?” she presses, raising a brow.

I laugh, shaking my head. “Okay, it’s not bad, but his house is just...boring. Like, zero personality. It’s all gray and navy. Feels like a showroom, not a home.”

Millie chuckles, nudging me with her elbow. “Well, you could add some of your touch to it. Maybe some plants or throw pillows. A few candles?”

“Candles?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Don’t knock it! A good vanilla or sandalwood candle can change the vibe entirely,” she says.

Jade plops down beside us, sliding her snacks onto the table. “What’re we talking about?”

“Sprucing up Troy’s house,” Millie says.

“Oh, God, yes. That man needs help,” Jade adds, popping a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto into her mouth.

I laugh. “You think so too?”

“Absolutely. Maybe get him a rug or something. Warm the place up a bit,” Jade says, pointing a chip at me.

“Or curtains,” Millie chimes in.

“Curtains?” I ask, snorting.

“Yes, Savannah. Curtains! They add texture and make a place look lived-in,” Millie explains like it’s common knowledge.

Jade nods. “She’s right. And while you’re at it, toss some art on those walls. He’s got, what, one poster of a hockey game from ten years ago?”

I laugh so hard that I almost drop Noah. “Okay, okay! You two are ruthless.”

“No, we’re helpful,” Jade corrects, grinning.

“I was planning out Christmas already,” I admit. “You know, to make up for this past one that…well…sucked. Maybe I can get them some Christmas decorations for their oh-so-empty houses.”

“I love Christmas,” Millie says on a sigh, her expression dreamy.

“I do too,” I agree. “The boys think it’s a ‘commercial holiday’ designed to make us spend money we don’t have.”

Jade laughs. “I mean, it is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the best time of the year.”

“Tell your brother that,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I already told him he’s a Grinch.”

Jade cackles with laughter. “He so is. I love that you told him that.”

“They just don’t have kids…well…they didn’t have kids,” Millie amends, eyeballing Noah. “That changes things.”

“Well, Jared’s doomed, then,” Jade observes. “He can’t make time for a woman in his life. He’s never going to get to be a dad at this rate.”

I ponder this for a moment, stealing a Cheeto and crunching on it. “Do you think he wants kids?”

Jade shrugs. “I guess I don’t know. I know he wants to be good at his job, but I haven’t asked him about personal stuff in years.”

The conversation dies down as the game starts. The three of us settle in, eyes glued to the screen. The energy in the room shifts with every play.

“Come on, Axel!” Millie shouts, leaning forward.

Jade tosses a piece of popcorn at the TV. “What was that, Troy? Pass it!”

My heart races as the puck flies across the ice. “Oh my God, they’re so close!”

When Finn scores, the entire suite erupts. Millie and Jade jump up, screaming and high-fiving.

“Yes!” Millie shouts, practically dancing.

Jade grabs her baby from the stroller, spinning him around. “We did it! We freakin’ won!”

I laugh, bouncing Noah gently in my arms. “That was incredible.”

Millie turns to me, her cheeks flushed from excitement. “We’re heading down to the rink to celebrate. You coming?”

Jade nods enthusiastically. “C’mon, it’ll be fun. Everyone’s gonna be there.”

I hesitate, glancing at Noah. My stomach twists. Would I run to Troy’s arms…or Jamie’s? The thought makes my chest tighten.

“I think I’ll hang back,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Suit yourself,” Millie says, grabbing her bag.

Jade leans over to kiss Noah’s cheek. “You sure? It won’t be the same without you.”

“I’m sure,” I reply, giving Noah a little kiss on his forehead.

“Alright, but don’t blame us when you miss all the fun!” Millie teases, heading for the door.

As they leave, the suite feels quieter. I cradle Noah, cooing softly to him. “Your daddies did so good, didn’t they? You’re gonna be so proud when you grow up.”

Noah gurgles, his tiny hand wrapping around my finger.

The VIP door creaks open behind me. I turn, and there’s Jared, looking slightly disheveled but grinning.

“There you are,” he says, striding in like he owns the place.

“That was fantastic,” I say, my heart speeding up as he approaches.

“Yeah?” His grin widens as he closes the gap between us. Before I can say another word, his hand cups my cheek, and his lips crash into mine.

My knees go weak, and I grab his arm for balance.

“Hey, baby,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice rough and low.

“Hey,” I whisper back, kissing him again.

He pulls back just enough to look at Noah, who’s staring up at him with wide, adoring eyes. Jared leans down, brushing a hand over Noah’s head.

“Hey, buddy. You watching hockey with Savannah?” Jared asks, his voice soft.

Noah lets out a little coo, his tiny hand reaching up toward Jared’s face.

Jared chuckles, glancing back at me. “You wanna go say hi to the guys? They’d love to see you.”

I hesitate, chewing on my lip. “I don’t know…”

“C’mon,” he says, his hand sliding down my arm. “They’d be thrilled. And you deserve to celebrate too.”

I glance down at Noah, then back at Jared. His eyes are so damn convincing, full of excitement and something deeper.

“All right,” I say finally.

Jared grins, picking up the bassinet effortlessly. “Let’s go, then.”

He holds the door open for me, and as I step out, I can’t help but smile. Maybe tonight won’t be so complicated after all.