I stood and faced Liam. “What is it you want from me, man? We both know I’m not some asshole who’s going to fuck her over.”
“You better not.”
We just glared at each other for a few silent seconds with everyone looking at us.
“I think I know a way for us to move past this,” Liam finally said.
“Yeah?” I asked, relieved.
“Yeah. I need to go fuck one of your sisters without protection. Which one should it be?”
I brushed past Killian and pushed Liam back by the chest. He bounced off the row of lockers and headed back for me, his fist ready.
“How’s it feel?” he asked with a sneer.
“Feels like you’re an asshole.” I shoved him again. “Charlotte and I are together, so you can accept it or not. I don’t care which it is. You’re not coming between us.”
Orion came into the locker room and all the attention refocused. Liam and I were still having a silent stare-down. Much as I wanted to smooth things over between us, I wasn’t giving him any power in this situation. I’d been good to Charlotte and I’d continue to be. I wasn’t about to pretend his threats meant a thing to me.
I skated onto the ice with a new focus, Niko’s words ringing in my ears. My new opponent was the player I’d been yesterday. Every day I’d hit harder and skate faster than I had the day before.
Success wasn’t about me anymore. It was about getting Charlotte out of that dumpy apartment. Buying the stuff our kid would need. Having enough money for a real future instead of working odd jobs in my off-season to keep the bills paid. Leaving no question that I was a man who took care of his family.
Liam tended to play even more aggressively than usual when he was pissed. But tonight, he had nothing on me. Charlotte was in the stands, and I was playing for her.
Charlotte
Bennett’s eye was a lighter shade of purple than it had been yesterday. I reached up and gingerly ran a thumb over his cheekbone.
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
“Nah.” His boyish smile made my insides warm.
“I’m so excited.” I shifted on the table and looked at the blank screen of the sonogram machine next to it.
Bennett stood next to me. He tapped a foot on the floor and looked at the door for the tenth time. We were starting our first visit with the new obstetrician with a sonogram, and we were waiting for the sono tech to arrive.
“Me too,” he said as the door finally opened.
“Hey, guys, I’m Julia,” the perky woman walking in said. “I’m doing your sonogram today, Charlotte.”
I pulled my shirt up and she squirted clear gel onto my belly. As soon as she pressed the wand to my skin, Bennett took my hand. I heard him draw in a breath as the screen filled with an image of our tiny baby.
Julia pointed out different bones, and we both marveled over every one.
“Would you like to know the sex?” she asked.
“Yes,” we said in unison.
She smiled. “It’s a boy.”
Joy poured into every cell of my body as I made this new connection with my baby. When I looked at Bennett, his eyes were bright with unshed tears.
“A son,” he said, bringing my hands to his lips and kissing my fingers. “We’re having a son.”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I hope he looks just like you. Curly hair and blue eyes and a perfect smile.”
“No, I hope he has your brown eyes.”