Center of Gravity: An Accidental Pregnancy Romance (An Ice Tigers Hockey Romance Book 2)

by Isabella Cassazza

  Smithy jumps me and pulls me into a bear hug, while other players slap me on the back and shoulders. “Still got what it takes, Walker. Nice shot.”

  Battered and bruised, I return to the bench and fist-bump my teammates, hoping to God that Dallas won’t shoot another goal. When we sit down on the bench, Smithy turns to me. “Why did you bow to Emilia?”

  “Seemed right. She’s considered to be Italian royalty, isn’t she? And she’s our lady now.” And also the mother of my unborn babies. But he doesn’t know that yet.

  He nods. “Our lady. Yeah, I guess that’s what she is.”

  My stick is in real danger of breaking as I’m holding on to it for dear life during the remaining two minutes. Michael has to block two more shots right in front of our goal, but this time lady luck is on our side. When the sound of the siren fills the arena, I drop my head. If this game is any indication of what the rest of the season is going to be like, it might very well be my last one.

  In the locker room, music blasts from the speakers and I’m surrounded by happy faces.

  “Turn down the volume please,” Coach Benning says as he steps through the door. “Great game, guys. I’m proud of you. Now, I’d like to introduce you to our new ritual. After each game, I’m going to reward the best player with—” He turns around and his assistant hands him two white items of clothing. “—the pizza maker of the day.” He shakes out a white apron and a chef’s hat, while my teammates double over with laughter. “Matt, congratulations. You’re the first one to receive the honor. Please put on your new outfit.”

  I push myself up from the bench and, still in my skates, walk over to Coach Benning. “Thank you.” I place the hat on my hair and put on the apron while the team cheers me on.

  “Suits you better than the condom tights,” Michael yells and claps his hands.

  I grin and shake Coach Benning’s hand.

  “They’re yours to keep until the next game.” He slaps me on the shoulder. “Media is waiting for you outside, Matt. Don’t let them wait too long.”

  I force a smile, but I sure as hell could do without that benefit. I shake my head but strip and take a quick shower. When I step outside the locker room, I’m bombarded with questions.

  “Matt, how does it feel to start opening night with a win?” One of the reporters holds his mic so close to my nose it tickles.

  I bend my head away from him. “Feels great. It’s good to be back on the ice.”

  “Any news on Tyler?”

  I’d like to know that myself. Gotta text him later. “He’s in the hospital getting checked out.”

  “Why did you bow to Ms. Ravelli?”

  I clear my throat. “It’s an honor to work for the Ravelli Group. Their commitment is an advantage for us.” Thank God for the media training during my rookie year.

  “What more can we expect from Ms. Ravelli and her family’s involvement with the Ice Tigers?”

  If we don’t win, Signore Ravelli will pull the plug. “We expect to take the team to the next level.”

  While someone asks another question, I spot Emilia in the crowd, walking in our direction. Once our eyes meet over the sea of people around me, she holds my gaze all the way. When she walks past me, she nods and says, “Captain.” And I bow and say, “Milady.”

  And then I turn around and leave the reporters standing there—open-mouthed.

  Chapter 10

  Emilia

  “Good morning.” I’m out of breath answering my grandfather’s call, after running from the bathroom to the bedroom in search of my phone.

  “It’s lunchtime here, Emilia.”

  Smartass. It’s early morning in Boston, and I’ve just emptied the contents of my stomach into the toilet. I’m not telling him that, of course.

  I sigh. “What can I do for you?”

  “Don’t pull a stunt like that ever again.” And here we go.

  “The video has millions of views on YouTube.” And not even a week has passed since we put it up for opening night. I’m surprised it took him so long to find out about Timmy’s interview.

  “It’s not professional, Emilia. What were you thinking? A kid reporter. We’re a high-class fashion line with a reputation to uphold. We’re not a reality show.”

  “Well, about that. We have a lot of inquiries asking about a kid’s clothing line—”

  “We’ve never done that.”

  I want to strangle him. “Maybe we should.”

  “The sports clothing line is enough for now.”

  “I see. Well, the team won, and the launch went through the roof—”

  “It was acceptable.” His words have the same effect as an ice-cold shower would.

  “Some items are out of stock.” Why am I even trying to defend myself? Shouldn’t I know better by now?

  “Some hardly sold. Expect a call from Gianluca with further instructions on how to increase sales. Goodbye, Emilia.”

  I slide down to the floor and lean my head against the wall. Once. Just once, I’d like for him to tell me I did well. Not praise me. Just tell me I did right. But that’s never going to happen. Not in this lifetime.

  “He’s a funny person, your great-grandfather.” I place a hand over my belly and rub it. “Now, could you please let me keep some food down? That’ll be great. Thank you.”

  The two have become super picky, and the only thing I can keep down at the moment is dry bread. My morning sickness has become more of an all-the-time and at-the-worst-moments-possible sickness. Instead of gaining weight, I’m losing it.

  I bury my head between my knees, trying to stop the nausea. We have a press conference about the team’s upcoming road trip and to update the media about Tyler’s condition scheduled today, and I can’t be late. The good news is Tyler could leave the hospital after one night and is expected at the facility once a day to do some light stretches and relax in the hot tub. The bad news, he’ll need weeks to recover from his concussion. But his health is more important than a championship win.

  I sigh and scramble up. Hopefully I’ll feel better after taking a shower.

  An hour later, I’m on my way to the media room when nausea hits me like a punch in the gut. Crap, not again. I run to the nearest toilet and lose the small amount of bread I managed to eat after my shower. Damn. When will it stop? With nothing in my stomach, I’m dry-retching and feeling weaker every second.

  After the barfing stops, I wipe my mouth with toilet paper, careful not to mess up my blouse, and get up to wash my hands. Looking in the mirror confirms what I already know; the dark circles underneath my eyes are on point, and not even concealer can hide those anymore. I look like a dead person alive; pity it isn’t Halloween today.

  I turn the faucet to ice-cold and let the water run over the veins on my wrists and drop my head. The only thing I want to do is crawl back to bed and sleep, but the media is waiting.

  “Ms. Ravelli, are you all right?” Someone puts a hand on my shoulder. I lift my head and look at a frowning Lily. Great. What am I going to tell her now?

  “I’m Lily, Tyler Wolfe’s girlfriend. I—”

  “I know who you are.” Wow, I don’t want to sound rude, but the only time I saw Matt laugh and smile was when he was with Lily at the wedding. They seemed awfully familiar with each other during the meal, talking and joking with each other. With her, Matt didn’t dish out his one- or two-word answers as far as I can tell.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

  “No, I’m sorry. Look, I don’t want to be rude, but I have to be at the press conference in five minutes, and I’m not feeling well. So, if you’ll please excuse me.” When I try to step around her, she puts her hands on my shoulders and pushes me to a small bench next to the door.

  “Sit down. I’ll get you something to drink. Don’t move.”

  My head is spinning, and I bury my head between my knees. I don’t trust myself to get up again on my own, so I do as told and wait.

  “Here. Try to drink some Coke.” Lily st
artles me, holding a bottle in front of my face.

  I take the cold beverage out of her hand and take a sip. I’m not a fan of the sugary taste, but my circulation is in dire need of it. I wait a second before I take another sip and lean my head back against the wall. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. But you should go home. Can I call someone for you?”

  “I’m expected at a press conference. I—”

  “No, you’re not. I talked to Tyler; he’ll handle the media.”

  I drop my head back against the wall. “How’s he doing?”

  She laughs. “He’s like a racehorse impatient to run again. He’s doing a lot better but still has some headaches, and the doctors don’t want him to workout. It isn’t an easy situation at home. We have to hide the car keys from him and make sure he doesn’t leave the house alone. The hour in the hot tub is the highlight of his day.”

  Ah, that’s why she’s here. “He’s lucky to have you.”

  “I’m the luckiest girl in the world.” Her eyes shine with love. She is a sweet person and deserves to be happy, but witnessing her joy makes my situation seem darker than it is. Damn, now tears fill my eyes. I hate pregnancy hormones.

  “Could you walk me to my office please?”

  “Wouldn’t you rather go home?” She frowns.

  “I’m not sure I’d survive the drive right now. There’s a couch in my office. I’m going to lie down for a while.” And then work some more.

  “Okay. Let’s go.” She takes the bottle out of my hands and puts it in her purse.

  I stand up, swaying from left to right, and put a hand against the wall to brace myself.

  “You can lean on me.”

  I raise an eyebrow, taking in her petite frame. I’m not a giant, but compared to me, she’s a dwarf. Since I don’t trust my legs to keep me upright, I put a hand on her shoulder, and we leave the bathroom.

  We’re halfway through the hallway when Matt calls my name from behind. “Emilia?”

  Lily stops, and I turn around to face him.

  He runs over and stops in front of me. “Are you all right?”

  Before I can say anything, Lily answers for me. “Ms. Ravelli isn’t feeling well. I was just helping her to the office.”

  “Is it the babies?” he blurts out.

  Lily takes a step back. “Babies?”

  Is he serious? Why not tell the whole world? I sway on my feet again while glancing around to see if anyone heard what he said. Matt doesn’t give me the chance to say anything but sweeps me up in his arms and carries me to my office.

  Under different circumstances, I’d be thrilled to be in his arms again, but with Lily following close behind, I’m not sure what to think anymore.

  In the office, he places me on the couch and sits down beside me.

  “I’m sorry.” A muscle in his cheek twitches.

  I shake my head but regret it immediately when the world begins to spin again, and I have to lean against the cold leather.

  Lily clears her throat. “Have another drink.” She places the bottle on the table in front of me.

  “Lily, please don’t tell anyone. Emilia and I… we met earlier this year and… we fell in love.” Wait? What? Since when are we in love? “Emilia is pregnant with twins, but its early stages, and we don’t want anyone to know.” Why is he telling her everything? Why is this happening today, when I’m at my worst?

  “I… wow… uh, congratulations, I guess. But Tyler and I… we don’t keep secrets from each other. He should know. It concerns the team, doesn’t it?”

  “It’s also a private matter.” Matt stands up and towers over her.

  I sit halfway up and place a hand on his arm. “Matt, it’s okay. She should tell Tyler. We’ll have to tell the team eventually.” I turn to Lily. “But please tell Tyler to tell no one else. Like Matt said, I’m still in early stages. A lot could happen.”

  She nods. “Of course. Congratulations again. I’m happy for you. No wonder you spent so much time together at the wedding.” So, people noticed. It was to be expected, but I’d hoped they didn’t.

  “It’s a complicated situation with my family’s involvement with the team. When we first met, we didn’t know that would happen.” And now I’m explaining things to her. There’s just something about her. She seems trustworthy.

  “I understand. Well, I better get going. You’re in good hands now.” She grabs her purse and exits the room, leaving Matt and me in silence.

  “Why did you tell her we are in love?” I try to sit up, but when my head spins again, I plop back down.

  He sits beside me again, not touching me. “How else are we going to explain the situation?”

  “You don’t want a relationship.” His expression is void of emotion when I repeat the phrase he’s said to me twice already.

  “We have to protect our babies.” A muscle in his jaw twitches.

  “I’m sorry. Maybe my English isn’t good enough, but I don’t get the point.”

  He sighs. “Your English is perfect. It’s going to cause an uproar. You and me… that we’re having twins. Do you want our children to read on the internet they were the result of a one-night stand?”

  “No, of course not, but we don’t have to tell the media that.”

  He sighs. “You’re a socialite. The Italian press, if we tell them we’re having babies and that we’re not together, they’ll figure out the rest. Or write some made-up crap. You’re of interest to them.”

  Well, he might have a point there. I curse my grandfather and his insistence for me to go out and be seen to sell clothes. It’s messing up my whole life now. “So, we’re going to tell them we’re a couple? And act like we’re in a relationship?” Is he serious? No one is going to believe that. Maybe if his brooding look could be considered a declaration of love, but that’s not a widely recognized sign of affection, is it?

  “I want us to get married,” he says, like it’s the most logical thing in the world.

  Now he’s lost his mind. “Married?”

  He stands up and walks from one corner of the room to the other, careful to stay as far from the window overlooking the training arena as possible. I hadn’t noticed before, but the now familiar sounds of a puck hitting the boards is audible in my office. Isn’t he supposed to train with the team today? “Yes. And I want to stay married at least one year after the babies are born. We can split after that.”

  Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined my marriage and divorce would be planned in the very same minute. Welcome to my crazy life.

  “You’ve put a lot of thought into this. When did you think to inform me?” I glare at him, but he has his back turned to me, so I try to burn holes in his shirt with my eyes.

  He sighs again. “Neither of us have had a lot of time lately.”

  I open my mouth and close it again. “Matt, I… I don’t know what to say. I’m overwhelmed, and I’m not feeling particularly well at the moment. I need to think this through. Marriage… it means something to me, even if it’s just for one year. Because if it’s just for one year—”

  “It would be for a little over a year and a half.”

  Wow, he can’t mean to get married right away, can he? “You want us to get married right away?”

  “Once the critical phase is over and you’re ready to announce the pregnancy.”

  I’m speechless. Utterly speechless. I’ll never understand this man. Someone needs to write a guidebook for me. “How to Handle Matt Walker for Super Dummies.” That’d be great.

  I get it. He wants to protect our babies. And I want to protect them too. But…. “We would have to live together.”

  “Yeah. My apartment is big enough.” How can he talk about life-altering events with a no-nonsense voice?

  My head is spinning. “But—”

  The door flies open. “I knew something was going on.” Tyler bursts into the room and pulls Matt into a man hug while Lily closes the door behind him. “Congratulations. I’m so
happy for you.” Tyler releases Matt. Then he turns to me and shakes my hand, a big smile on his face.

  “I swear, we were alone when I told him. It’s just… he always knows when something’s going on. I can’t hide anything from him. I’m sorry.” Lily plops down on the couch across from me, refusing to meet my eyes.

  “It’s okay, Lily.” I wait for her to look at me and smile at her, even though I feel like crying.

  “When are you going to tell the team?” Tyler sits down next to her and puts his hand on her knee.

  “Ty.” Lily places her hand over his as if to stop him, and their eyes meet.

  How does it feel to have someone you can communicate with just by little gestures? I sigh. “It’s okay. We want to wait until the critical phase is over. Oh, and we’re getting married.” Shit, I didn’t want to say that. Or I did. I’m not sure what I want any more. I’m sick to my stomach, and my baby daddy is crazy. But we’re getting married now. It’s what Matt wants anyway.

  Lily squeals. “Double congratulations. No wonder Matt got hold of his old stuff and threw his ex out of the house.”

  I turn to Matt. “Your ex?” Who is this man?

  Lily’s gaze drops to her feet. “Sorry.”

  “I’ll explain everything later.” Matt looks me in the eyes. I nod. The situation can’t get worse, can it?

  “So, when’s the wedding?” Tyler asks.

  “Soon, but don’t expect a big event. We’ll probably go to Vegas,” I say without blinking. It might be the easiest option, after all. A fake wedding in Vegas. That’s how it’s done, right?

  “Vegas?” Matt’s eyebrows are in real danger of shooting through the nonexistent roof on his head.

  It’s not exactly how I imagined my own wedding either. “There is no time during the season, and we want to get married before the babies are born. We may have a big wedding later.”

  “So, you’re eloping. It’s romantic, isn’t it?” Lily caresses Tyler’s arm. They are so in love it should be banned. But they’re cute. The way he smiles at her. The way they touch each other. I won’t have that. Not for the next one and a half years. Not after I agree to marry Matt. Which I have now. Sort of. I should have stayed in bed today. This can’t be happening.