One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(74)

Sighing, I flop against the cushion of my couch. “It seems like you already know.”

“I want to hear it from you.”

I drape my arm over my eyes. “I’m pregnant, Racer.”

Cursing under his breath, Racer asks, “Is it Hayden’s?”

“Yes.” It’s a one-worded answer, one that hangs heavily in the air. He warned me, he warned Hayden; he was against our pairing from the very beginning. Maybe in some weird cosmic way, Racer knew this would happen; we were going to be entirely too irresponsible and get pregnant.

“Jesus, Adalyn. Does he know?”

I look to the side, wincing. “No, and don’t tell him, or I swear to God I will chop off your cock. I’m not kidding, Racer.” I lift up and look him dead in the eyes. “I will slice you up.”

He winces and adjusts his pants, scooting away from me. “Why aren’t you telling him?”

“More importantly, who told you?” Getting angrier by the second, I pin Racer with a glare, and he now looks more nervous than anything.

“Uh, no one told me. I could sense it, smell it.”

I whack him right in the stomach. “Gross, don’t say you can smell pregnancy. What the hell is wrong with you?”

He chuckles softly.

“Emma told you, didn’t she?” Shakes his head, lips sealed. “Racer!” I jab his side.

“Ouch, fuck.” He rubs his ribs. “Are your fingers made of metal?”

“Who. Told. You?”

“You know, you’re really scary pregnant.”

“Which should tell you I’m not afraid to cash in on my threat.” I glance down at his crotch, which he covers quickly.

“Fine, it was Tucker. He let it slip and told me not to say anything, but the guy is fucking dense. Of course I would say something to you.” Becoming fatherly, Racer says, “How on earth in this day in age can you accidentally get pregnant? Do I need to have a conversation with you about safe sex?”

“Clearly not anymore.” I sigh and lean against Racer’s shoulder. He shifts so his arm is around me. “It was heat-of-the-moment stupidity.”

He kisses the top of my head. “And why aren’t you telling him?”

“What good is it going to do now?”

“That’s a weird way of putting it.” Racer is rarely serious; he goofs around most of the time. But when his voice turns stern, I know a rare moment is about to happen. He’s about to be very honest and levelheaded with me. “It’s not about what good it’s going to do; it’s about a man knowing that he created a child with another human being. It’s about doing the right thing. You can’t keep this from him as much as you wish you could. This isn’t your secret to keep. This isn’t your burden, because this baby isn’t only yours. It’s a product of both of you, and no matter how much you think this new journey is only yours, you’re wrong, and you’re being selfish. He deserves to know, he deserves to have a chance to do the right thing, so don’t take that away from him.”

For the record, I don’t like it when Racer gets serious and levelheaded, because every time he does, he’s always right.

Slowly, a tear rolls down my cheek. I don’t say anything, and I don’t need to as his words sink in. There is no response other than you’re right, so I stay silent, allowing myself to hide within his comfort. Because right now, I need my friend, and I need him badly.

Chapter Twenty

HAYDEN

Camaraderie.

I want someone to lean on other than just my teammates.

The physical is not what I’m interested in right now.

I want to build a foundation with you.

Being traded out here, it’s been one of my worries, not having someone in my seats, cheering me on. To be in the stands for me.

It doesn’t matter anymore if I like her. It’s over, and I’m starting a new chapter in my life.

All things I’ve said to Noely over the last two weeks.

She’s sweet, funny as hell, caring, her family is obsessed with me—literally obsessed—and fucking hysterical. They are the support system I’ve been trying to find since I moved to California. It’s the first time since I moved that I feel part of a family again. Listened to. Acknowledged.

And yet . . . I can’t stop thinking about Adalyn.

How fucked up is that?

I have this perfect woman who’s interested in me, who’s taking it slow because I asked, who’s cheering me on in the goddamn stands at an exhibition game, and I can’t seem to get one girl out of my mind.

I should be excited. I should be over the moon right now.

We just had our first pre-season game. I slayed it on the ice, and I had Noely and her family cheering for me in the stands. I’m having celebratory drinks with a beautiful woman and yet . . . I’m unhappy.

Trying to give Noely the attention she deserves, I ask, “Did you have fun tonight?” I got her and her hockey-fan family tickets to the game tonight. I also scored them jerseys. I’m making the effort but my heart isn’t in it.

“I did, thank you so much for inviting us. And before you even ask, I had the nachos, extra jalapenos.”

“My kind of girl.” I tilt my beer in her direction and take a pull, my lips pressed against the bottle. Come on, Hayden, make an effort.