Page 20 of Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)
Chapter Twenty
Jade
Millie’s fussing with her hair in the mirror, her lips twisted in concentration. She’s doing that thing where she tugs one side and then the other, like they’re uneven, even though she looks flawless. I sit on the edge of the bed, trying to pull my boots up without completely ripping out the zipper.
“You nervous?” she asks, finally giving up and letting her curls fall naturally. She turns to me, hands on her hips.
I shrug, though it’s a damn lie. “Maybe a little. It’s not like I haven’t been in the same room with Axel, coach, and Carter all at once. But, you know...it’s a bit different now that I’m...”
“Banging all three of them?” she smirks, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Jesus, Millie.” I laugh, but my stomach flips. It’s not exactly something I can just casually throw out there, even to her. But I guess she has a point—navigating that dynamic with everyone in the same space is gonna be...interesting.
She grabs her jacket, tossing it over her shoulder, and checks her reflection again. “Don’t sweat it. If anyone can juggle three guys, it’s you.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not juggling anyone. It’s complicated.”
She snorts. “Everything’s complicated with you.”
She’s not wrong. I tug at my jeans, smooth the hem of my black sweater, and adjust the necklace Axel gave me last week. It’s simple, a tiny silver chain with a charm that sits just below my collarbone, but it feels heavier than usual today, almost like it’s tethering me to something bigger than I signed up for.
Millie’s dressed in some pink, fluffy thing, looking like she’s ready to host a kid’s show, not a birthday party. It’s Sadie’s big day, so I guess it works.
“You look hot, by the way,” Millie says, winking.
I snort. “Yeah, sure. For a kid’s birthday party. Real sexy.”
We head out, and the car ride to the rink is filled with Millie’s chatter about TikToks and Sadie’s latest obsession with some twelve-year-old pop star. I’m trying to focus on her words, but all I can think about is seeing them—Carter, Axel, and Nate—together. The tension that’s been building since we started this... arrangement is bound to show.
As soon as we pull up to the rink, I spot Axel immediately. He’s standing near the entrance, his broad frame impossible to miss. He’s in his typical laid-back clothing—jeans, a black jacket, and that messy hair he knows drives me wild.
Millie nudges me. “Go on, go say hi to your man.”
I give her a look. “He’s not…”
She’s already pushing me toward him. “Uh-huh. Sure.”
Axel sees me and breaks into a grin, walking over with his arms outstretched. I barely have time to react before I’m enveloped by his hug, his arms wrapped around me like I’m something precious. For a moment, I let myself sink into the embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.
“Hey, baby,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my ear.
“Hey,” I say, smiling up at him. “You beat me here.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he says, his eyes flicking over to where Millie’s busy greeting Sadie and the rest of the partygoers.
From the corner of my eye, I see Nate, standing by the entrance with a couple of the other players. He’s looking at us, a small smirk playing on his lips. I wave, and he lifts his hand in acknowledgment before turning back to his conversation. I swear I catch Carter watching too, but he’s too far away to tell.
Axel lets me go, but his hand lingers on my waist, and I find myself leaning into him just a bit.
“I’m gonna say hi to Sadie,” I tell him.
“I’ll come with you,” he says, but I shake my head.
“It’s okay. I’ll just be a minute.”
He nods, dropping a kiss on my temple before stepping back.
I head toward Sadie, who’s in full birthday mode, bouncing around in a sequined dress that screams tween queen. When she sees me, her face lights up, and she runs over.
“Jade! You came!”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss your party for anything,” I say, pulling her into a hug. “And I got you something.”
I hand her the gift bag I brought, which she practically rips open on the spot. Inside is a necklace I picked up at this little boutique. It’s a delicate silver chain with a charm shaped like a star on it.
“Oh my God, I love it!” she squeals, immediately putting it on. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
She hugs me again, and I laugh. “You’re welcome, kiddo. You look amazing, by the way. That dress is killer.”
She grins and twirls for me. “Millie helped me pick it out.”
“Millie?” I ask.
“I sent her a DM and she replied,” Sadie claps excitedly. “I cannot believe you got her to come.”
“Of course she did and she is so excited to meet you,” I say, glancing over at Millie, who’s busy making all the other eleven-year-olds feel like mini-celebrities.
The party’s in full swing now, with kids running around, music blaring, and a mountain of presents piling up on the table. I mingle with a few of the players, exchanging pleasantries, but my mind’s elsewhere. It’s only a matter of time before the tension I’ve been trying to ignore all day comes to a head.
They’ve got the cake out, a ridiculous masterpiece with Sadie’s face on it, and Millie’s already shooting TikToks of it. I’m about to join her when suddenly, my stomach flips, hard.
Shit.
I excuse myself quickly and make a beeline for the bathroom. The second I step inside, I’m hit with a wave of nausea, and before I know it, I’m hunched over the sink, dry-heaving. Fuck.
I lean against the counter, breathing heavily. It’s gotta be exhaustion. Or maybe I haven’t eaten enough today. Either way, I splash some cold water on my face and try to shake it off.
When I finally feel stable enough to walk out, I almost run straight into Nate.
“Hey,” he says, his eyes narrowing as he looks me over. “You okay?”
I nod, but it’s weak. “Yeah. Just a stomach bug or something. I’m fine.”
He frowns, clearly not buying it. “Axel’s here. I’ll get him to drive you home.”
“No, I’m good. I can…”
“Jade,” he cuts me off, his voice low but firm. “You’re not fine. Wait here.”
Before I can protest, he’s already calling Axel over. Within seconds, Axel’s by my side, looking at me with concern.
“What’s going on?” he asks, his hand immediately finding the small of my back.
“Jade’s not feeling well,” Nate explains, still watching me closely.
“I’m fine,” I say, waving them both off. “Really.”
Axel’s not having it. “C’mon, baby. Let’s get you home.”
I sigh, realizing there’s no point in arguing. “Fine. But I’m driving next time.”
He chuckles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Deal.”
I go over to say a quick goodbye to Millie, who’s too caught up in the party to really notice what’s going on.
“You’re sick? Oh fuck! Let me drive you home,” she says.
“No. Declan and Finn are on their way, plus Sadie really loves having you here. The kids all love you. I probably just overdid it.”
“Sure babe?” she asks.
“I’m okay. You’re having fun?”
“I’m having fun! We’ll talk later,” she says, blowing me a kiss as she dances around with Sadie.
On the drive home, Axel glances at me every few minutes, his worry practically radiating off him.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. It’s probably just something I ate. Or maybe I’m overtired. I’ve been running on fumes.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t push it. When we get back to my place, he parks the car and walks me inside. Shadow greets us at the door.
“Hey, buddy,” Axel says, crouching down to scratch behind his ears. Shadow jumps against his legs like he’s claiming him.
I watch them for a moment, a small smile tugging at my lips. Even though I’m not feeling great, there’s something about seeing Axel with my dog that warms me up from the inside.
“I’ll make you some tea,” he says, getting up and heading to the kitchen.
“You don’t have to,” I start, but he waves me off.
“Sit down. I got this.”
I plop onto the couch, curling my legs under me as I watch him move around my kitchen like he’s been doing it his whole life.
When he comes back with the tea, I take it gratefully, sipping slowly as the warmth spreads through me.
“You really don’t have to fuss over me,” I say, leaning back against the cushions.
Axel sits down next to me, his hand finding mine. “I’m not fussing. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m fine. It’s probably nothing.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Probably?”
I shrug. “Okay, maybe I’m a little run-down. But it’s nothing to worry about.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he lets it go, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a way that makes my chest tighten.
After a moment of silence, Axel shifts, his voice low. “You know...I like being with you.”
I blink, surprised by the sudden turn in the conversation. “I like being with you too.”
He smirks, but there’s something vulnerable in his eyes that I’m not used to seeing. “No, I mean...I really like being with you. The whole thing with...Nate and Carter...it doesn’t change that.”
I swallow, feeling the weight of his words settle between us. “I know. I feel the same way.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks, the tension thick in the air. But it’s not the kind of tension that makes me want to run. It’s the kind that makes me want to lean in.
So I do.