Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
I look over in time to catch her smirking, and my heart soars. I am beyond excited, and I feel almost jumpy. I thought the early morning skate and workout would have helped, but they didn’t. I have been waiting for this day. The day we find out the sex of our baby. I squeeze her hand, loving the feel of her palm in mine, before I ask, “Are you excited?”
Her lips are still curved in that little smirk as she quickly nods. “Excited but nervous.”
“Nervous? Why?”
She shrugs, and I hate that her smirk falls away. “I don’t know. My mind is fucking with me.”
“Talk to me,” I urge, and she swallows hard, bringing her other hand up to cup our clasped hands. She doesn’t answer right away, but her posture tells me everything I need to know. She’s scared. “You have nothing to be scared or nervous about. I’m excited to see our child with you and to find out what we’re having.”
“But aren’t you mad? You missed all—”
“Didn’t I tell you that doesn’t matter anymore, that all that matters is our future?”
She presses her lips together. Her breathing is labored as she clings to my hand with both of hers. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle everyone at the doctor’s office judging us for you not being there until now.”
“I wish they would,” I scoff.
She side-eyes me. “Behave, Alejandro Benito Cruz.”
I flash her a smile full of teeth. “No can do when it comes to you, Elliot Bea McDavid.”
She rolls her eyes, and I squeeze her hand, pressing her to tell me more. “I’m a little worried you’ll get upset when you realize how much you missed.”
“Mami, stop this,” I urge her. “I want to be here, I want to be with you, and I want this. Nothing will change that.”
“You can’t say that, though. This means telling everyone, and with everyone’s influence—”
“Elliot,” I say, cutting her off, “trust me.” I’m thankful for the red light as I come to a stop. I set her with a look, and I can see all the insecurities in her eyes. All the guilt and pain she’s inflicted on herself. I wish she’d listen to me. I wish she’d believe me. But all I can do is give her time to realize this is what I want. “Please trust me.”
She swallows once more as her eyes search mine. “I’m not worth all this,” she whispers quietly, and when a frown pulls at her lips, rage burns through me.
I shake my hand in hers, hoping the motion will make her listen to me. “You are. You fucking are, Elliot.” Her lip quivers, and I reach out with my other hand, rubbing her bottom lip. “I love you, mami. I do. So fucking much, and you’re worth it. You are.” I can tell she doesn’t hear me, and I hate that she allows herself to do this. “If Austen said that, or Eliza, how would you react?”
I chose those two of her sisters because they’re softer than Clara and Louisa. Not saying they’re weak or anything, but they are the quieter of the McDavid sisters.
As I expected, anger fills Elliot’s gaze as she shakes her head. “I’d kick their asses.”
I nod. “Exactly. Now stop listening to your brain before I kick its ass.”
As I wanted, she smiles. Even if it is small and only tips her lips a bit, I relish the fact that I brought her joy. “I see what you did there. Smart.”
I grin, leaning in to kiss her nose. “I won’t let you be mean to yourself, not with how much I love you.”
Her eyes glaze over, and I almost feel like she may say it back. That she is finally owning up to the feelings that are like a neon sign in her eyes. She loves me, but the fear of doing so is greater.
Fucking annoying, if you ask me.
A honk comes from behind me, and I flip the guy the bird as I drive off. Yeah, I was distracted, and guess what? Fuck him. I’d rather kiss my girl than drive. Elliot giggles beside me, and I’m obsessed with the sound. It’s better than any goal horn in any arena. Because it’s purely Elliot.
I’m almost to the clinic when she asks, “Have you decided when you’ll tell your mom? Tonight?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m hoping we win tomorrow and shut this series down. Because the Griffins should sweep the Admirals tonight, and then we’ll play them, which will be good since we can go see my mom.”
The Calder Cup isn’t like the Stanley Cup. The first three rounds are best of five games, and then the last two rounds are best of seven. The play-offs are quicker and more intense, in my opinion. I’m excited because if it plays out according to my plans, I’ll be able to take my girl home to meet my mom.