“So this is good, then. You guys can hang out. We’ll cook dinner.”
His jaw tightened with tension and he looked away.
“Liam, seriously. She’s on her feet a lot at work and she’s exhausted by evening. Can you cut the tension while she’s here?”
He nodded reluctantly. “I’ll try.”
I started unpacking the groceries. Liam lingered in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. He was either brooding or wanting to talk about something, I knew him well enough to know that. I also knew not to ask him what was up because he’d just make a comment and leave.
After a couple minutes, he finally spoke up. “So everything’s good then . . . with the baby? Charlotte’s not under too much stress, is she?”
“No, she’s good. I wish she wouldn’t work right up until she goes into labor, but she’s planning to so she can take a longer maternity leave. And everything’s good with the baby.”
He gave a skeptical hum. “Figure I’ll need to be a big part of my nephew’s life. You know, be a good male role model for him. Somebody’s got to.”
“Right.” I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my tone, but it crept in.
“Boy needs to learn how to treat women,” he continued. “How to respect them.”
It was all I could do not to laugh. Liam Holloway was a manwhore. At least he had been before Keri. But I wasn’t letting him get to me since Charlotte would be here any minute, and I refused to fight with him in front of her.
“You still seeing Keri?” I asked him.
“Yep.”
A minute of silence passed before I gave up on a conversation with him. I’d just started chopping vegetables for a salad to go with the pork chops and potatoes I was making when Charlotte knocked on the front door once and then came in.
“Oh . . . hey,” she said to Liam. “You’re here.”
“Hey, sis.” He crossed the living room and gave her a hug. “How’s my nephew doing?”
She grinned. “Big, as you can see.”
“He’s gonna be a hockey player like his uncle.”
I ignored the jab and winked at Charlotte as she walked into the kitchen.
“Hi, babe,” I said, bending to kiss her.
“Hey.”
Liam huffed his disgust. “Does Mom know you’re shacking up with this loser?”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “We don’t live together, and even if we did, I wouldn’t care what she thought. She’d probably encourage me to live with him if it might be a prelude to marriage.”
“Marriage?” A vein bulged in Liam’s neck. “To him?”
“I’m right fucking here,” I said, pointing the knife at him.
“You know she’s all about getting her hooks in as fast as she can,” Charlotte said.
The wheels in Liam’s head were spinning, I could see it. “You’re so much better than that, Charlie. Don’t let her convince you to get married just for the hell of it.”
“It wouldn’t be for the hell of it,” I cut in, glaring at him.
“An independent woman like her doesn’t need a man to take care of shit. She’s got it covered.”
I shook my head in disgust. “Marriage is about a hell of a lot more than taking care of shit. You two just had a piss-poor example.”
“We turned out okay, though.” Liam gave Charlotte a nod of approval.
He was trying to make it them against me. I couldn’t let him do that.
“Charlotte’s amazing,” I said, kissing her again. “Jury’s still out on you.”
Charlotte cupped my cheek and gave me a secret smile. “Can I help with that?”
“Nope. You can sit down and relax while I make dinner.” I looked over at my roommate. “Liam said he wants to help.”
“Yeah, I can make dinner and not make a wreck out of the kitchen in the process,” he said, pulling out a chair at the table for Charlotte.
“Be my guest,” I said, offering him the knife.
He narrowed his eyes at me and got another knife to peel potatoes.
“Liam, what’s going on with you?’ Charlotte asked. “It’s been way too long. Tell me everything.”
He talked about him and Keri, hockey, and the community service he’d done at the injured veterans charity. Charlotte talked about the nursery and baby names she liked. I said very little, which was fine by me. After all these months, I was realizing that Liam might never get past his anger toward me over Charlotte. I’d live with that if I had to, as long as their relationship was okay.
In a way, I’d traded Liam for Charlotte. I wasn’t sorry. It would’ve been nice to have them both, but Liam thought I was unworthy of his sister. I’d thought it was a knee-jerk reaction at first, but time had proven me wrong. He genuinely thought I was a dirtbag, which meant we’d never really been friends anyway.
Charlotte
We were about ten minutes into the trip home from Bennett’s parents’ house before I could put into words how I was feeling.
“Your family is amazing,” I said softly. “You have what I always wished Liam and I could have.”
He glanced over from the driver’s seat and smiled. “You’ve got ’em now, babe. They loved you.”
“Your mom just talked to us about us and the baby the whole time. There was no drama about her own life. My mom’s gotten a little better about it, but it used to be that every conversation ended up revolving around her.”
“My dad told me not to let you get away. He said you’ve got the one-two punch—smart and stunning.”
“Aw . . .” My cheeks warmed. “I never really knew life with a dad. I’m so glad our son will have one like you.”
Bennett’s coffee-with-cream eyes softened. “Thanks, babe.”
I adjusted my hips in the car seat to get less uncomfortable. That was my best hope these days. Something Bennett’s mom had said popped into my head.
“Your mom told you when we were leaving that she has a feeling she’ll be seeing more of us soon . . . What did she mean?”
Bennett looked uncomfortable for a second, his lips pressed together. “She was saying she thinks I’ll be getting called up soon.”
“Called up . . . that’s good, right? To an NHL team?”
He nodded. “It would probably be Indy, but it could be Chicago. They’re looking for a winger and my parents know that.”
“And they live right there, so that would be good.”
He glanced over. “It would be if you’d come with me.”
Oh. She’d said us because she assumed we’d all be moving if Bennett got called up. My stomach rolled with nervous realization.
“I can see by your face that wasn’t what you were thinking,” he said, his disappointment clear.
“Well, I . . . I mean, there’s my job and my apartment, and I just . . . that would be a huge thing. I don’t think I could just leave my life behind like that. Couldn’t you . . . I guess not.”
“What?”
“I guess I assumed you’d still live in Fenway but travel with the new team, but that’s stupid, isn’t it?”
“No, not at all. It’s just that the hockey off-season is so short that I’d only be there for a couple months before camp started.”
“Right.” The sick feeling was getting stronger. I leaned my head back against the car seat.
“Relax, babe. I haven’t gotten called up and the season’s almost over. If we win tomorrow night, we clinch a playoff spot.”
“That’s exciting,” I said weakly.
All I could think about was Bennett leaving. He’d become so important to me. I loved him. And his professional success would mean the end of our relationship.
He squeezed my knee. “If we make the playoffs I’ll be crazy busy for the next few weeks. But after that, I’ll be all yours. No more traveling until next season starts. I can pick up a gig at the local lumberyard and work days or evenings.”
I swallowed against the tightness in my throat. “That sounds perfect. Right when the baby is d
ue.”
“I’ll always be there for you, Char. Let’s not worry about something that may never even happen, okay?”
I took a deep breath. “You’re right. Okay.” I cleared my mind of the worry that was gripping me. “Are you nervous about the game tomorrow night?”
His eyes lit up. “Not nervous. Excited. It’s a pretty kick-ass time to be the new team captain. We’ve got something to prove. It’s been too long since our team’s had our shit together enough to be in contention for the playoffs. Eight years since we’ve made it. Sid and Orion put us there, and we’re not letting this season end now.”
“I can’t wait,” I said, feeling the excitement myself. I’d picked up a men’s 2X hoodie in Flyers blue to wear. It was the only size I could fit over my belly.
Whether I was watching Bennett’s games in person or on my computer, I always hoped for him to play his best. I wanted his dream of playing in the NHL to come true. But now that I knew that meant he’d be leaving me, it was hard to want it. I wasn’t the sort of woman to let go of the life I’d built so I could follow a man. But in this moment, with the glow of meeting Bennett’s family still warm inside me, I kind of wished I was.
Bennett
There was fire running through my veins as I waited for the puck drop. This was it—make it or break it, and we had to make it. Every bruised rib and sleepless night away from Charlotte had brought me here and I wasn’t squandering it.
Killian was watching from the owner’s box. He’d given me a salute when I glanced up there. The only thing that was missing from this night was him, but I was proud of him for moving up to Indy. It meant a lot that he was here, even if he was off the ice.
As soon as the puck was dropped, we came out hitting hard. I’d given the guys a pre-game locker room talk about having no regrets. Tonight was about giving our all plus a little more, so we’d know at the end that there was nothing to wish we’d done better.
I could hardly hear Orion’s yelling over the roar of the crowd. And damn, was that nice. These fans deserved a win tonight for sticking with us.
In the dreams I’d been having about this game, it lasted forever. I played for hours and hours with no line changes until I collapsed on the ice and the other team skated around my limp body to score.
But in reality, it flew past me. I was so busy trying to be everywhere, see everything, and keep all the guys fired up that the clock got away from me. We had less than a minute left and were up 3–2, and all I could think about was securing a win with one more goal.
They got in a strong final shot and Shuck dove to the ice, deflecting the puck. I cried out and pumped my fist in the air.
And then . . . it was over. The guys crowded around me, half of them yelling and the other half crying.
“Fucking shit! Fucking shit!” someone screamed next to my ear.
Sticks were dropped to the ice as we embraced each other. I shed a few tears myself. It felt damn good to hear our fans celebrating.
“Hell yeah,” Orion said behind me. I turned and opened my arms to him.
“Nice, Captain,” he said.
“It was you, Coach.” My voice was thick with emotion.
“It was us.”
We milked our on-ice celebration for every second we could get. As soon as we hit the tunnel to go to the locker room, I saw my girl. I’d asked an usher to bring her down after the game for me, and there she was.
Tears streaked Charlotte’s cheeks and her smile lit up her whole face. I bent to kiss her and she grabbed my face and held me close for a second.
“Congratulations,” she said softly. “I’m so happy. So proud of you. I love you, Bennett.”
“I love you, too. I hope you’re up for a celebration dinner with the guys.”
“Absolutely. Wouldn’t miss it.”
I touched my forehead down to hers. “It means everything that you’re here with me for this.”
“To me, too,” she said.
A photographer was shooting photos of us. Usually, they weren’t allowed in the tunnel, but Keri must’ve made an exception for this.
Charlotte saw Liam and went to hug him. I soaked in the moment for a few seconds. I knew in my heart that this was probably my last season of hockey. I needed to get a better job now that I had a family.
I was going out on one hell of a note, though.
Charlotte
I waddled into the courtroom with as much dignity as I could muster. The status of my pregnancy was the source of much chatter among the courthouse staff. There was an office pool going to guess my due date and the baby’s weight. The date I was fine with, but having people seriously wager money that I would have a ten-pound baby was a little insulting.
Yes, I was big. But I was two days from my due date, and Bennett had a large frame. Some ladies in the county recorder’s office had felt his shoulders and biceps one day when he came to the courthouse to pick me up for lunch, claiming it was only to estimate my baby’s size. I’d accused him of liking the attention and he hadn’t denied it.
But all in all, he was more supportive than I’d ever hoped a boyfriend would be. He rubbed my back every night he was home and cooked and cleaned so I could rest after work. When he was going out of town, he’d leave small presents hidden in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets for me to find. I’d gotten lots of peanut M&M’s, perfume, fuzzy socks I couldn’t reach my feet to put on, and a kick-ass vibrator. He’d left that one in the fridge inside a bag of cucumbers.
“Miss Holloway,” the judge said from his bench. “Still haven’t delivered that baby, I see.”
“Not yet, Judge.”
“Try for next Tuesday if you can.”
Nice. Even the judges were in on the pool.
We were between calls and some attorneys were talking while the judge finished signing orders. A bailiff came and got my briefcase and carried it to the table for me.
“Thanks, Wayne,” I said, resting a hand on my belly. I was having a strong, persistent cramp.
“You okay, Miss Holloway?” Wayne asked, his white brows drawn together with concern.
“I think . . . ah.” He reached out an arm and I took it.
“I think we need to call an ambulance.”
“That’s oka—holy shit, that hurts.” I managed to whisper the last part when another pain hit.
Wayne smiled. “I’m a father of five and a grandpa of nine. It’s time to get to a hospital.”
“Really?” My heart raced with anticipation.
“Really.”
I nodded and took a deep breath.
“Is it time?” the judge asked. All eyes in the room turned my way.
“I think?” I said uncertainly. “It’s my first, so . . . does anyone know where Wren is?”
We’d talked about her driving me to the hospital if needed.
“She’s in court,” Riley said from across the room. “I’ll take you.”
I wanted to argue, but I wanted to get to the hospital more.
Riley looked at the judge, who nodded and said, “I’ll continue your hearing.”
“Bennett,” I said to no one in particular. “I need my phone so I can reach Bennett.”
“I’ll get it for you,” Riley said. “Wayne can get you to the elevator and I’ll meet you there.”
“Thanks.” I took a step before stopping for another pain. “Ohhhh, my God, this hurts.”
“Just breathe,” Wayne said, wrapping an arm around my back to help me walk. “You’ll be meeting that sweet baby before you know it.”
I followed his advice, focusing on inhaling and exhaling while we walked to the elevator and waited. Riley jogged up to us shortly, my purse in one of his hands and my phone in the other.
On the elevator ride down, I texted Bennett.
Me: It’s time!! On my way to the hospital!!!
He was at practice and I hoped he’d see the message soon. I didn’t want to do any part of this without him.
Riley offered me his arm for suppor
t as we stepped off the elevator. I took it, huffing and puffing my way through a deep-breathing exercise to keep myself from swearing. When the contractions hit, they hit hard.
“I hoped I’d be the one in his shoes,” Riley said. “Waiting for you to deliver our baby.”
“Don’t,” I cautioned, cringing. “I am in no mood.”
“I’m just saying.”
“You stole the job I wanted.”
He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t steal anything.”
“No more,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’ll punch you if you say another word about it.”
“Like your roughneck boyfriend?”
“Fuck you,” I said in a low tone. “I’ll drive myself to the hospital.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Like hell, I can’t.”
His eyes met mine for a second. “I won’t say another word. Let’s get you to the hospital safely, okay?”
I nodded, relieved. I hadn’t wanted to drive myself anywhere in this state.
Riley left me outside the courthouse doors with a sheriff’s deputy while he went to get the car. They both helped me inside the car as I gritted my teeth through a contraction.
“I’ll give you an escort,” the deputy said to Riley.
I was going to protest, but I decided against it. The sooner I got to the hospital, the better.
Riley followed the deputy, who led the way with lights flashing and sirens blaring.
I checked my phone and saw a message from Bennett.
Bennett: On my way! I love you.
Even through the pain, I smiled. I couldn’t wait to see him holding our baby son in his arms. I wanted to name him Christopher, Bennett’s middle name.
I groaned as another contraction hit. It fucking hurt. I’d expected the pain to be more gradual than this.
“Hurry,” I cried.
“You want me to pass the cop?”
“I kind of don’t care how you do it, just get me there fast.”
“We’re two minutes out. Hang in there.” After a pause, he looked over and asked, “Does any part of you still love me?”
“No. I’m about to have another man’s child. It’s been over between us for a long time. Accept it, Riley.”
Bennett (On the Line Book 2) Page 18