Pucking Strong: An MM Workplace Hockey Romance (Jacksonville Rays Book 4)

“Mommy said I have to ask you if Lina can come to my sleepover!” Emma Langley stands in front of me, hands on her hips, fiery red hair in a halo of curls around her head.

“Oh, well, I …” Setting the salad tongs down, I give her my full attention. “This is sort of uncharted territory for me,” I admit.

She tilts her head to the side like a confused owl. “What?”

I snort a laugh. “Can I think about it, honey?”

Her brows crease in frustration. “The sleepover is tonight.”

“Then I’ll think really fast.”

In a perfect imitation of her mother, she huffs and stomps away.

It’s game day, intermission time. The Rays are up by two, and the WAG room is buzzing with excitement. All the little kids are playing over in the corner. They’ve got a great setup, including age-appropriate toy bins and a TV that can play movies.

The rest of the room is set up for the adults, with tables for eating, a couple couches, and the infamous WAG room buffet spread. Today it’s Caesar salad with grilled chicken or salmon as a protein, homemade mac and cheese with the curly noodles and a crispy baked topping, and a build-your-own sundae bar.

I glance over my shoulder, checking on Karolina. She’s sitting with Emma and Grace Morrow, all three of them furiously coloring. Nearby, Doc Price is hunkered down with her boys, feeding them bites of mac and cheese while they play. I offer her a smile and a wave. Once I got back from Sweden, she was finally able to go on maternity leave. It’s been weird around the gym without her. Brady is cool, but he just doesn’t have the same energy. Rachel Price always comes with just a little touch of chaos that makes each workday fun.

I turn back to the buffet, juggling mine and Karro’s plates. I add a little salmon for her and some chicken for me.

I should just say yes, right? To the slumber party? As one of her legal guardians, I’m allowed to make this kind of decision on the fly. But it still feels odd. As much as I’ve fallen into a rhythm with Karro and I like thinking of her as partly mine, there’s still a wall there. It’s the “they’re family, and I’m not” wall. Henrik is her blood relation. They speak the same language. They both knew her mother. God help me, they both like Kalles Kaviar. It’s this awful, fishy paste made from salted cod roe. It’s pink, and it comes in a tube like toothpaste, and it ruined my breakfast last week. They love it. Can’t get enough of it.

What I’m saying is I still feel like an outsider. Henrik and Karro, even Hanna, are firmly over there. And I’m over here, wondering exactly where I fit into this long term. Because I want a long term. I don’t want this marriage to only be temporary. Henrik and I have something. I knew it from the moment we met on that sidewalk six years ago. It’s taken time for that spark to grow into a flame. But this last week has taught me to hope like I’ve never really hoped before.

And that’s saying a lot, because I’m a delusional double Pisces.

Henrik’s been in and out for travel. But when he’s home? God, the man is undeniable. Now that he’s discovered he has passion, he’s unafraid to show it. But he’s like a babe in the woods, unsure of what to do or how to express what he feels. And he’s still not great at the verbal communication thing either.

Here’s one thing: I don’t know how much longer our “no sex in the bed” rule can last. We’re still taking it slow, but our kissing is getting more adventurous by the day. We’re each exploring more terrain, if you know what I mean. He got back last night, and once we got Karro in bed, he had me stretched out on the couch, shirt off, hands seeking, teasing my nipples and kissing across my chest until—

Okay. Cool it, psycho. The WAG room buffet line is not the place to reminisce about the time you came in your pants from a little nipple play.

Because, yeah, that happened.

And, yes, Henrik noticed.

I think he’s curious to try more. He certainly doesn’t object when I suck him off, which has been every night that he’s been home. Twice on Tuesday. I’ve made it clear that he can do more to me too, but I think he’s nervous. He likes the kissing, and he definitely likes touching me.

I don’t know, maybe he’s a bottom? He gives such quiet lion energy that I just thought his instincts would take over and he’d pounce. Maybe he’s vers. Maybe he will be a top, but I have to show him how first. I’ve always preferred bottoming. But with Henrik? If he needs me to top him to show him how things work, he only has to ask.

“Hey.”

I practically jump out of my skin as Tess steps in behind me. “Jesus, you scared me,” I say.noveldrama

“How did I scare you? I was standing right here.”

I force all thoughts of Henrik from my head. “What do you need, Tess?”

“Emma just told me you said Karolina can’t come for a sleepover. And that’s totally fine. But if you’re worried about her because of the injuries—”

I hold up a hand. “Whoa, I did not say that. I said I needed to think about it.”

“What’s there to think about? Three little girls having a sleepover, watching Mulan in my living room. I’ll be there the whole time. No rough play, and no sugar after eight. Lights out by nine.”

I groan. “Look, I just need to clear it with Henrik first, okay? I can give you an answer by the end of the game.”

She eyes me critically. “How’s all that going then?”

“All what?”

Before she can respond, Poppy comes breezing up to us. “Teddy, honey, there you are.” She looks a little breathless, her cheeks flushed pink. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Uhh …” I glance over my shoulder to where Karro plays.

“I got her,” says Tess. “Go.”

Poppy wraps a hand around my arm. Apparently, I have no choice but to set aside my plates of food and abandon this buffet line, letting Poppy lead me towards the door. “Hey, Tess?” she calls over her shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“You’re taking Gracie tonight, right?”

“Yep! Sleepover.”

“Thanks, honey. Hey, be a dear and take my Bennett too, won’t you? Thanks so much!” She waves with her free hand, not giving Tess a chance to say no, as she tugs me into the hallway.

“Something wrong, Pop?”

She lets go of my arm. “Oh, nothing much. I’m just gonna go ahead and give you these.” She fishes something out of her pocket, holding it in her closed fist.

I reach out on instinct, and she places a set of car keys in my hand. “What are these?”

“Those are the keys to Lukas’s truck.”

“Why do I—whoa—” I glance down, eyes wide. “Uhh … Poppy, you’re—are you leaking?” I point to the water on the floor.

She lets out a breath, rubbing a hand over her pregnant belly. “Oh, that’s just my water breaking.”

“Your—oh god—” I step back. “Poppy!”

“It’s okay,” she says, breathing through the pain. “All totally okay. Totally normal. A little early, but okay. That’s why I’m gonna go ahead and head on over to the hospital now.”

I’m officially fritzing. “Jesus. Well, do you need any help?”

“Nope. Colton is bringing the car around as we speak. I just need you to tell Lukas where we’ve gone once the game is over. Drive him to the hospital for me. Okay, sweets?”

“Poppy—”

“We’re going to Jacksonville General. Labor and Delivery is on the third floor. After two babies, he knows the drill.”

“Oh my god.” I follow her as she waddles down the hall in her designer wrap dress and stiletto heels. “Poppy, just tell Novy now.”

“Are you kidding? He has a game to finish. Rays are up, and he’s playing so well tonight. Besides, who knows if this little kiwi is even coming out today? This could be fake labor.”

“Your water breaking seems like real fucking labor.”

She just laughs. “I know, right?”

I’m fucking reeling. Is this happening? This woman is crazy. “Poppy, I can’t be the one to tell Novy.”

Turning, she grabs me by the shoulder, one hand still bracing her heavy baby bump. “No, you have to. Teddy O’Connor, you look at me.”

I groan, trying to look anywhere else.

Her hand on my shoulder tightens. “Look at me.”

With a huff, I stare into her Barbie blue eyes.

She smiles. “Good. Now, I love that man more than my own life, but he’s not great in a crisis. If he has things his way, he’ll storm into that hospital, parking his truck in the dang lobby. He is not to be given those keys, do you hear me? You’re the only one on staff I can trust not to give in to his demands.”

“This is bullshit.”

“You are the solid rock, Teddy. Lukas is the wave that will crash upon you. And yet, you will remain unmoved.”

“Unbelievable,” I mutter.

She groans, patting her stomach. “I know, but it really can’t be helped. Teddy, honey, do this for me, and I’ll send you a fruit basket. Don’t worry, it’ll be a big one. And if Lukas tries to knock your lights out, I’ll throw in three tickets to Disney on Ice.” Letting me go, she continues down the long hallway.

“Is that a likely possibility?” I call after her.

She just waves over her shoulder, shuffling down the hall in her clicking heels.

In moments, Morrow comes jogging around the corner, determined to intercept her. After a quick word with her, he locks eyes with me, pointing with the finger of destiny. “Do not let him fucking drive!”

Oh, this is so fucking fucked!