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Chapter Thirty-Two

Jared

I rub my temples, trying to push the headache away. I’ve been working late again, trying to figure out how the hell I’m going to get custody of Noah for both Troy and Jamie. And it’s hard. Like, really fucking hard. Especially with the whole harem thing.

The law doesn’t recognize it. Hell, people barely get why we live the way we do, but I’m determined. I’m fucking determined for Noah and his dads.

At this point, it might just be easier if Troy and Jamie marry each other and adopt him legally. The thought makes me laugh, but it’s not even that far off.

Maybe that’s the real solution, as ridiculous as it sounds. A legal family. A real family. Fuck, if it worked, I’d take that option in a heartbeat.

I snap out of my thoughts when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see my sister giving me a curious look.

“What’s got you smiling like that?” she asks.

“Nothing,” I mutter, waving it off. “Just work stuff. You know how it is.”

She doesn’t buy it. I see her eyes narrow, and before I can stop her, she brushes my temple like she’s checking for a fever.

“Yeah, okay. What’s really bothering you?” she presses.

I sigh, leaning back in the chair. It feels like my head is about to split open. I should’ve taken a break, but I’ve been too damn focused. “Nothing. I’m just—it’s been a lot lately. You know…trying to figure shit out with Noah. It’s just been a lot of legal nonsense.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Are you nervous about the baby thing?”

I shake my head. “Nah. I’ve talked to Axel about it. He’s been really gracious about explaining the whole harem thing. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever share a woman, but…seeing Savannah happy, that’s all that matters.”

Jade smiles softly. “I’m glad you’re all okay with it. I know it’s different, but it works, right?”

I nod. “Yeah. It works.”

But as I’m about to say something else, I hear a loud noise from downstairs. My heart skips, and before I know it, I’m standing, rushing out of the room.

“Jared! Savannah’s bleeding!”

Troy’s voice shatters through the air, and I feel my stomach drop. I bolt down the stairs, not even thinking, just running on instinct.

I get to the living room, and I see her—Savannah—her face pale, her hand clutching her side. I can feel the panic rising in my chest. I’m not ready for this. I’m not ready for her to be hurt.

“What the fuck happened?!” Jamie’s voice cracks, and he’s by her side in an instant.

“Call an ambulance!” Troy yells. “We need to get her to the hospital, now!”

I’m not even sure I can breathe as we rush her out the door and into the car. Every second feels like it’s taking forever, my hands shaking as I try to keep my shit together. Savannah’s face is pale, and I keep hearing her breathing, shallow and frantic.

I’ve been through a lot, but this…this is something I can’t handle.

We get to the hospital, and they rush her inside. My legs feel like they’re made of lead. I can barely keep up. My mind’s racing with a hundred different possibilities, none of them good.

The worst part? I can’t do anything.

After what feels like a lifetime, Dr. Hill walks into the room. He’s calm, too calm, and for a second, I want to punch him in the face just to make him feel something.

“Gentlemen,” he says, and I hate how formal he sounds. It makes everything feel too real. “Savannah is stable. She’s okay.”

Jamie exhales, relief flooding his face. I try to breathe, but it’s like I’ve been holding my breath for hours.

“But,” I say, voice hoarse, “what happened?”

Dr. Hill looks at us, his eyes glinting with something I can’t read. “Well, we did a scan” He pauses, like he’s unsure how to say this next part.

I feel the blood drain from my face. “What? What is it? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” Dr. Hill says, his voice finally softening. “But you might want to sit down for this one.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Jamie demands, but I put a hand on his shoulder.

“Just tell us,” I say, trying to stay calm. I can feel my pulse hammering in my neck.

“Savannah’s pregnant with triplets, not twins.” Dr. Hill lets the words hang in the air. “She’s carrying triplets, which can complicate a pregnancy.”

I blink. “What?”

Jamie’s face goes white. “Triplets?”

“Did you just say triplets?” Troy reiterates.

“Yeah,” Dr. Hill confirms. “You need to keep the stress to a minimum. She needs rest. This is going to be tough on her, physically and emotionally.”

I can’t breathe. Triplets? Fucking triplets.

I glance at Troy, who looks just as stunned as I feel. We’re both speechless. I can’t even think straight. I just…I can’t wrap my head around it.

Jamie runs a hand through his hair. “Holy shit. Triplets. How the hell are we gonna…”

“Don’t worry about it,” the doctor interrupts. “She’s in good hands, and I’m here to help guide you through this. But right now, just focus on keeping her calm and healthy. That’s the most important thing.”

Then he leads us back to her room.

Savannah’s still lying on the hospital bed.

I can’t stop looking at her. Triplets. This is insane. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’d do whatever it takes, but it’s still a shock.

I turn to Jamie. “We’re gonna make this work. We’ll get through this. We have to.”

Jamie nods, still in shock. “We’re doing this together. All of us.”

I lean over to Savannah, brushing her hair back from her face. “We’re in this together, baby. You and me and the whole damn family.”

Savannah seems to have fallen soundly asleep and she just leans into my palm.

“She is going to be so scared,” Troy says. “We are definitely going to need to be there for her.”

At least we are all in agreement on that.

For the first time tonight, I feel like I can breathe again. I don’t know how we’re going to handle triplets, but we’ll figure it out. One step at a time. Because this? This is my family. And I’ll protect it with everything I’ve got.

Right?

The nurse comes in and checks on her. She tells us that it is better Savannah stays overnight for observation.

“We’ll stay with her,” Troy says.

“Okay. Jade has Noah, and Millie is going to pick up Pup so we can all stay the night,” Jamie says.

I am about to agree with them when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I glance at the screen. Coach Nate’s name lights up the screen, and I instantly feel the knot in my stomach tighten.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. This can’t be good. “Excuse me for a second.”

I step outside, trying to get some air. I don’t want to drag anyone else down with whatever the hell Nate’s about to hit me with.

“Jared,” his voice comes through the phone, low and steady. “I’ve got some news. You’re not gonna like it.”

I run a hand through my hair. Of course, it’s never good news with him. “How the hell do you know what the board decided?” I ask, already dreading whatever he’s gonna say next.

“I’ve got my ways,” Nate replies. I can almost hear him shrug. “But you’re gonna want to hear this.”

I brace myself, trying to keep my heart from racing. “Who’s being traded?” I ask, crossing my fingers behind my back. Don’t say Jamie. Don’t say Troy. Don’t say Declan or Finn or Carter. Hell, I’m hoping no one gets traded.

Nate hesitates for a second. “It’s worse than that,” he says, and I can feel the tension in his voice.

“Worse?” I bark. “What the hell could be worse than that?”

He sighs. “The Blackhawks, man.”

My chest tightens. The Blackhawks. Fuck. They’ve been rivals for years, and now what? My stomach drops. “What about them?”

“They’ve been putting in offers to buy some of our players,” Nate says. “But now? They’re talking merger.”

A wave of disbelief hits me. “Merger? Are you shitting me?”

“Unfortunately not. They’re talking about combining the two teams.”

“Jesus Christ, Nate,” I mutter, pacing in a circle. This is bad. Real bad. The Chicago Icebreakers and the Blackhawks are like oil and water—they don’t mix. No one would’ve ever thought this could even be a possibility.

“Yeah, I know,” Nate’s voice cracks a little. “No one knows how this would even work. The two teams hate each other, and now they wanna merge? It’s insanity.”

I stop walking, pressing my palm against the side of the building. “Wait, are you saying they want to trade our guys to the Blackhawks or some shit? What does a merger even mean at this point?” I can’t even make sense of this.

“Not exactly. They’re looking to shuffle players around, put some on different teams, maybe move up some guys to higher-ranked positions. But the way it’s looking, some of the best players are gonna get benched. They’re thinking about a total overhaul.”

I can feel my blood boiling. “Benched? Benched? You gotta be fucking kidding me.”

Nate sighs again. “Yeah. And with a merger like this, it’s not like they’re gonna let just anyone keep their place on the team. These moves? They’re gonna fuck up careers, man. Big time.”

I lean back against the building, my mind racing. I can’t even wrap my head around the idea of anyone on the team getting benched. They’ve been playing their asses of this season and this is how the team decides to repay them?

This whole situation is a fucking nightmare.

“So, who’s getting the ax first?” I ask, already dreading the answer.

“I don’t know,” Nate says, and his voice sounds heavy. “But brace yourself for the call, Jared. They’re gonna start with the big names. People are gonna get cut.”

“Shit,” I mutter. “Too much is happening, all at once. Savannah’s pregnant with triplets, and now this.” I can feel the stress building up in my chest. I can’t deal with this on top of everything else.

“I get it,” Nate says, his voice softer now. “It’s a lot. But you need to focus. Family first. Always.”

I run a hand through my hair. “Yeah. I’m trying to, but it’s hard, man. There’s too much pressure.”

“I know, I know. But you’re strong. You’ll get through this.” Nate pauses, and I can feel the weight of his words. “Just don’t forget what’s important. This team, these guys, they’ve got your back. And you’ve got theirs.”

I nod, even though I know he can’t see me. “Yeah. You’re right. I just—fuck, I don’t know how much more of this I can handle.”

“I hear ya, Jared. Just…take a deep breath. You’ll figure it out.”

The line goes silent for a second, and I let the tension ease just a little. But the weight of what’s coming hangs heavy in the air. The merger. The trades. The stress of being a fucking hockey player, trying to balance my life, the team, and now, Savannah and the babies. It’s like a goddamn house of cards ready to fall.

“Thanks, Coach,” I say, my voice low. “I’ll keep you posted.”

I end the call and let out a long, shaky breath. Fuck. What the hell is going on? First, we find out Savannah’s carrying triplets, and now this merger talk? It’s like the world’s trying to throw every curveball at me.

I take another deep breath, my hands clenched into fists. I have to keep it together. For Savannah. For the team. For everything that’s coming next. Because right now? This is no time to crack under pressure.

I walk back inside, trying to shake off the weight of the conversation. But as soon as I step through the door, I see Savannah again, lying in her hospital bed. Her eyes meet mine, and I can’t help but smile despite the mess of everything else.

“Everything okay?” she asks, her voice soft.

I nod, trying to push down the storm inside. “Yeah. Just…just a lot going on right now.”

She reaches for my hand, her grip tight. “I’ll be okay. We’ll be okay.”

I squeeze her hand back, nodding. “Yeah. We will. We have to be.”

And for the first time tonight, I feel a glimmer of hope. Even with everything falling apart around us, I know we’ll face it together.