One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(40)

Turning toward me, Hayden places a gentle kiss on my mouth, his breath minty, his lips soft and smooth with a hint of scruff prickling my chin. The combination is better than perfect weather on a beautifully brilliant summer day.

“Stay right here. I’ll be back.” Winking, he takes off, down a red carpet draped across the ice. From the Jumbotron above, his name and picture flashes in bold, the announcers call him out, and the arena erupts in cheers. The high school boys playing in the charity game pound on the sideboards with their sticks, their other hands in the air cheering him on. Their eyes are alight with awe.

It feels so unreal, to see someone you see as “normal and everyday” be worshipped.

There is a little fear in the feeling.

A little bit of unease.

I only met him a short time ago, and we’ve easily become hooked on one another, but we’ve been in a bubble. This is the first time our bubble is being poked. It’s the first time I’m not in the comfort of Hayden’s reassuring arms, because everyone else is pulling him in different directions.

“He’s such a good guy,” a lady with a low grey bun and maroon parka says, standing next to me.

Giving her my attention, I notice quickly how kind her eyes are, followed by the crooked smile that seems so natural to her. “Hi, I’m Ariel, I am second-in-command for this entire event. I heard you’re Hayden’s girlfriend.”

“Yes, hi. I’m Adalyn.” I shake Ariel’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m so glad I could be here. Hayden was telling me how much you guys raise for the community. Twenty thousand dollars is a huge deal.”

Ariel offers me that crooked smile with a shake of her head. “That boy is very humble. We raised about ten thousand. He donated the rest but refuses to tell anyone. His goal is to provide as much equipment, ice time, and opportunity for those who are not as fortunate as he was. He desperately wants to keep the sport alive in his hometown.”

Casting my gaze toward Hayden, I watch him . . . in awe.

Shakes hands.

Smiles.

Waves.

Laughs.

Jokes around with the captains of the teams and refs.

Poses for pictures, never once looking annoyed or put out.

Shit . . .

My stomach bottoms out, flipping like a gymnast as I can feel proverbial hearts forming in my eyes.

There is no stopping it. This isn’t just lust . . . this is forming into something entirely different.

“He’s a good guy,” I whisper.

“The best. This is the first time he’s ever brought someone and looked so smitten.”

“You think he looks smitten?” I ask with a scrunch to my nose.

Ariel nods toward Hayden, who is staring me down, a giant smile on his face. “Oh yes, I most definitely think he’s smitten. That smile, the one with the little crinkle in the corner of his eyes? That’s reserved for you and only you.”

For me and only me. Maybe, just maybe, I am the fulfillment of his dream too.

A girl can only hope.

“Do you want a drink?” Hayden asks when we enter the private suite the event organizers provided for us. There are stacks of pictures of Hayden to be signed, which will be handed out to the kids after the game, platters of food including mini corndogs, nachos, a pile of seasoned French fries, and a delicious-looking chocolate cake that has my mouth watering. To the right, there are two more platters. One of plain grilled chicken and the other of roasted veggies, and they’re the platters Hayden goes straight to.

“I would love a water.”

“Coming right up.” He picks up a piece of broccoli and pops it in his mouth as he pulls a bottle of water from a small cooler under the counter. Like the gentleman he is, he opens the bottle and brings it to me, placing a kiss on my lips before handing me the bottle. “Want me to fix you a plate?”

“I can make one.” I take in my surroundings, the kids skating around on the ice below us, warming up, the crowd dancing to the music that’s booming through the speakers in the arena. “You’re really loved, you know that?” I’m taking in the fans below with Hayden Holmes shirts on when he comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.

“Is it overwhelming? Seeing all this at once?”

“A little, but it doesn’t bother me. I like watching you interact with your fans, making them smile, giving them an everlasting impression. It’s sweet.” I tip my head back to look him in the eyes. “You’re sweet.”

He kisses the tip of my nose. “My dad always told me it’s about the game, not the fame. I’ve tried to live with that motto. Especially after this past season. Being a well-loved and successful rookie was something I never dreamt of, so I want to make sure I don’t take that for granted. If we end up staying later tonight, I apologize in advance. I want to make sure to connect with every single one of those boys. I can always call a car service to take you home if necessary.”

I shake my head. “No, I want to stay. I don’t have work tomorrow, so I’m all yours.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

Moving his lips from my ear he nibbles on my earlobe, causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin. We have yet to have sex, but there have been some heavy make-out sessions, and when I say SOME, I mean a ton. If we’re alone, it’s what we do, and from the way Hayden is working his lips up and down my neck, I’m guessing that maybe he’s planning for—