Delayed Penalty (Empire State Hockey #5)

Chapter 23 – Avery

Chapter Twenty-Three

Avery

Bring me back my dog.

He who must not be named

You don’t have a dog.

Then what exactly am I getting out of this marriage?

He who must not be named

That’s not very nice. Is that how you talk to someone you’re asking a favor from?

Pretty please? Can you check on her?

He who must not be named

I will on my way home. Last I heard she was doing great.

Lies. She’s not here, she can’t be doing that great.

Ellie

Hey, I added you to the girls group chat.

Thanks, it was fun with you ladies the other night :)

Ellie

Thank me after you’ve experienced our breed of crazy without the boys to reel us in.

It can get a little…feral.

Cassie

I want food.

Sawyer

So…make some food?

Or make my lazy brother make you something to eat.

Cassie

He’s too busy…eating.

Gwen

Get it, girl!

Sawyer

What the fuck, Cass?

Ellie

Welcome to crazy town, Avery.

Mayor? One of these crazies…

Cassie

He’s having a sandwich. Jeez.

Meet for lunch? Central Café? Or Stella’s?

Sawyer

Stella’s. Duh.

Sawyer

And only because I’m starving.

I t’s been two weeks since we got married and I finally got up the courage to call my parents and ask them to meet for lunch. Had I known they would be so nonchalant about everything, I probably would’ve called days ago. I’m not sure if nonchalant is the word I’m looking for, though. Apparently, Peter had told them everything and they were… unbothered? Either way, they said lunch was unnecessary and to call them when I had more updates.

Great talking to you too, Mom and Dad, I’m feeling just fucking dandy, still throwing up at nearly twenty weeks pregnant, but whatever.

At least I’ll be able to talk to the doctor later on this week when we go in for our anatomy scan. Maybe she’ll have an idea of what to do to help me feel better. Harris has tried every remedy he could find on Google, going onto Reddit and asking people for advice because he’s been so worried I’m going to get too sick and wither away or something.

He's a tad dramatic.

Thankfully, he went in for an early skate or a workout, so I’ve had the apartment to myself, which truthfully only makes me miss Luna all that much more, but that’s not a problem for today. I’m determined that today is going to be a good day, starting by having lunch with the girls, which is where I’m heading now.

There’s something about walking down the busy, crowded streets of New York City on a beautiful September day, trying not to throw up on everyone around you to get you ready to meet a group of girlfriends for the first time. I was so excited when Ellie texted me this morning, even more so when they added me to the group chat. It’s the actually getting out in front of people part that I struggle with.

All I can do is try.

If anything, though, at least I know I’m about to eat some of the best bagels… ever. Ellie and I chatted about our cravings when we were at Hudson’s, and we’ve both been violently craving bagels… and carbs, in general, but mostly bagels.

It’s a new craving for me, but definitely one I’ve been enjoying.

When I walk into Stella’s, I’m happy to see it’s not as busy as it usually is, and I spot the girls already sitting at a corner table, Gwen walking in right behind me.

“Hi, Avery!” she says with a smile, pulling me into a familiar feeling hug, one that just makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

“Hi, how are you?” I say as she links arms with me and leads me over to the rest of the group.

“I’m good,” she says with a smile. “I’m exhausted, but that’s mainly because with hockey starting to pick back up, they are either skating or at the gym, but at the same time Cade’s needy as fuck so I feel like I haven’t been sleeping.”

I can’t help but giggle thinking about the big six-foot-four goalie being so needy, but it’s honestly not hard to picture. He’s like a grumpy teddy bear, but if you’ve been in the room with the two of them for even two second you’d be able to tell how much he adores her.

“I have a hard time seeing him that way.” I laugh.

“Oh, he’s the worst,” Gwen jokes as we take a seat next to the other girls. Thankfully, they’re already sitting down with snacks ordered and waters out, because ya girl needs to eat, pronto.

“How are you, Ellie? Feeling any better?” I ask, it’s nice having someone who has not only experienced pregnancy before but is also just a bit further along than me. It sort of gives me a way to know what to expect, but to also have someone to talk to that has gone through it.

Even if she is no longer dealing with morning sickness while I definitely still am.

Bullshit? Yes, but life’s a bitch sometimes.

“I’m feeling better,” Ellie says with a smile. “Still surviving on bagels and cream cheese but I’m getting more energy so that’s nice. You?”

“Still dying. Pretty sure they need to rename what they call morning sickness because I’m about to sue for false advertising. I should not be throwing up the second I wake up and wanting to throw up all the way until I crash at night. Harris has gotten me on the bagel kick so that’s been helpful.”

“Oh?” Sawyer says with a smirk. “How is Mr. Harris? Taking care of you all right?”

I blush, unable to help it because the first thing in my mind is the day he definitely took care of me extremely well.

“He is,” I say quietly. “He’s been very helpful through the process, making sure to help take care of me.”

“What is he having to help you take care of?” Gwen says with a giggle, waggling her eyebrows in a suggestive way. “Ellie, weren’t you mentioning that there are a lot of needs that Trevor was enjoying helping you manage?”

“Not my fault pregnancy makes me horny af,” Ellie quips back. “But he doesn’t seem to mind helping me with those needs. It’s my need for chocolate milkshakes and salty French fries in the middle of the night that I’m pretty sure might send him to an early grave, but he still gets them for me.”

“Yeah, I’d be surprised if he did mind, like it’s such a hardship to fuck all the time. Plus, who doesn’t love fries and milkshakes in the middle of the night?” Cassie deadpans. “What about you, Avery? Is Harris dealing with the same struggles?”

I feel everyone’s eyes fall on me, my cheeks getting hotter by the second as the blush rushes up my chest and my neck until finally spreading onto my cheeks. Based on the little smirks the girls have on their faces right now, I’m pretty sure they can all tell I have a secret.

Damn me for not having a poker face. It’s not my fault if my mouth doesn’t say it my face does. This is definitely one of those time that this does not come in handy.

“I mean, we definitely are not fucking all the time. Hell, the one time we did, I got pregnant. Okay, even that’s a lie. We had sex in one twelve-hour period which is when this happened,” I say, gesturing down to my swollen belly.

“No one said anything about sex. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourselves or each other, especially when you have needs.” Sawyer says.

“Aka, when you’re horny as fuck,” Gwen adds.

“You’re not wrong. I swear I’m always horny, I can only imagine how I’ll be when I get pregnant. I mean, we both already have needs, quite frequently. Hell, Rex loves a good blowie, and half the time I think he just loves my mouth on his cock when he’s stressed, and I’m usually more than happy to help him out.”

“Same,” Cassie says. “Max loves his foreplay—all of it. That man is always hungry.”

“I was hungry until you said that.” Sawyer glares as she sets down her chip.

This is one of those moments where I want to hide behind this conversation, immediately nervous about being so open and honest with friends, but this is what I’ve always wanted. I’ve always wanted to have close girlfriends I can gossip with, share the dirty details of my life, and just be open with and it feels crazy I might have finally found that.

That person used to be Harris. When we were together, we shared everything. We had amazing sex, a loving and spicy relationship that was incredible… until it wasn’t. But when he left, I only had Kelly and that’s when I realized I was missing out on important relationships and friendships in my life.

The only challenge was that once I was with Peter—after Harris had broken my heart—I didn’t trust anyone.

Even my fiancé.

“You’re right, Sawyer, there’s obviously no denying that,” I say, my cheeks heating again but I just let it. “We let things get carried away one night, the night after the bar and well, let’s just say it was hot.”

“Oh?” Gwen says. “Do share with the class.”

“Umm,” I say, looking at the girls who are all eagerly awaiting the story and well, fuck it. Might as well share, I’m already pregnant so they know we’ve fucked, and it sounds like none of these girls have a filter either. “Well, I was looking for him after we went out, and his bedroom door just happened to be open. I went in and saw the bathroom door was also open,” I say, grabbing my glass of water and chugging some, my nerves making me parched. “I went to peek, to see if he was okay, and well, I definitely found him.”

“Oh? What did you see?”

“Umm, when I walked in he was in the shower taking care of his needs . I froze in place the second I realized what he was doing, unable to turn away it was like my eyes were locked on. It was so fucking hot,” I say, surprised with how open I’m being, but I don’t regret it. I’ve heard these girls talk, they have no filter, so I don’t care that I’m being blunt with this.

“Yeah? What happened next?” Ellie asks. “Nothing is hotter to me than watching Trevor touch himself. I don’t even understand it, but it’s just delicious seeing him in the middle of it, all on his own.”

“Oh, it was hot all right. But I got scared and tried to leave.”

“Tried?” Gwen says with a laugh. “If you wanted to leave, why couldn’t you?”

“Harris noticed me and… called me back. Apparently, I’m incapable of saying no to that man, and that’s when things changed. I ended up joining him… on my knees.”

“Hell yeah, you did, girlfriend!” Sawyer says, reaching across the table and high fiving me. It feels like I’ve been welcomed into the group which is what I blame for the over-sharing that proceeds.

“I didn’t stay there. After he finished, he returned the favor… lifting me up onto his shoulders where he decided to show me just how starved he was. After that, he carried me to his bed where we laid until we fell asleep.”

“That’s so fucking hot,” Gwen says. “There’s something about these men, their strength, their athletic ability, it’s something else when we get to see them use those skills in the bedroom. Or, in your case, the shower.”

“No lies detected,” Ellie adds, right as Stella makes her way to our table.

I met her the other night when we told everyone we’re expecting, and she was so nice to me, even after I didn’t shut up about her food. I figured she would think I was crazy but instead she just beamed at the compliment and we hit it off.

“Today has been the busiest day ever,” she says as she takes a seat next to Sawyer. “Sometimes, I wish I had a bakery in a smaller town, not in the middle of New York City.”

“I don’t think it’s the location that has you as busy as you are. I’m almost positive it’s the bagels. And the rest of your delicious food,” Ellie says.

“Facts. Your food, especially the baked goods, are the most delicious things I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

“Don’t let Harris hear that, he might get a complex.” Cassie winks, and I’m blushing again

“I meant food, but between us, your bagels win regardless.”

“She’s not wrong,” Ellie adds, and we all start laughing.

The rest of the afternoon feels like a dream. We spend time talking, laughing, and telling stories. It was nice being able to share stories of when Harris and I first met, telling them about a side of Harris they aren’t used to.

Truthfully, I wonder if it’s a side of Harris that anyone besides me has seen, and I love that. Stella doesn’t get to hang out with us for too long, and before we know it she’s making her way back to the counter when a group of people make their way in. I don’t think anything of it, just listen to the girls talking and realize that for once I’m happy with the people in my life.

Until I hear his voice.

“Well, if it isn’t my skanky ex-fiancée.”

The sound of his voice is like nails on a chalkboard, and I have to force myself to look his way. Unfortunately, I see he’s not alone, his parents are on either side of him, bringing up the back and they both look pissed

Definitely not a good feeling when his mom is my boss.

“Hello, Peter,” I choke out, but I don’t miss the girls sharing a look out of the corner of my eyes, a wave of embarrassment hitting me that they are having to witness this. Turning to his parents, I offer them a hello which neither return.

Fucking great.

“We were actually just talking about you,” he says, before turning to his mom who has a little smirk that has me nervous. “You see, we were talking about ethics and family values, all values that my mother and the school stand for, as you know. It’s a big thing for her and for her to have teachers and staff working with her that share the same values.”

My stomach drops, my eyes starting to well with tears as I can already see where this is going.

“Okay…” I say when he pauses for a moment. “What does that have to do with me?”

“You see, Avery,” his mother starts, taking a step forward, bringing the attention to her. “We were just discussing our vision for the school, and unfortunately, due to recent choices, we just don’t think it’s a good fit for you anymore. “

“So, you’re saying that because I broke up with your son and ended up pregnant afterward, that I no longer fit to work with you?

“Well, you’re smarter than I thought you were. I thought I’d have to explain it more, but that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Standing up, I plaster on the fakest, cheesiest smile possible and stare directly into his mom’s eyes.

“You’re right, I don’t fit with your values, especially now that I’m bringing another life into this world. I want to bring them up with values of love, acceptance, and respect. Unfortunately, your son was taught none of those things as a child, which is evident in the way he thinks he can treat those around him. Putting his hands on me, speaking to me the way he does, not to mention the fact that he felt like he could cheat on me without any repercussions…it’s all because of your parenting—or lack thereof—and that’s not something I want for my child. Luckily, my baby’s father is the polar opposite, so for all I care, take your job, and shove it up your ass, along with your opinion of me because I don’t fucking care.”

She steps back, shock evident on her face, while Peter is fuming. Cheeks red, fists balled like a child throwing a tantrum. I don’t think he ever expected me to share the events that happened leading to our breakup, including the time he grabbed my arm, with just enough force to leave a mark—unfortunately for him, I don’t care any longer.

“You—” Peter starts but is cut off by Stella.

“Can leave my bakery right now. You are no longer welcome here with your disrespect.”

Peter turns to look at Stella who is furious, hands on her hips as she stares them down, making me feel so much support.

“Do you know who I am?” His mom steps in.

“I don’t actually care who you are. You could be The Second Coming of Christ and if you speak to someone like that in my bakery I’ll still tell you to get the fuck out. I don’t accept disrespect, bullying, or any harm to people I care about. So, get out.”

Peter and his parents turn and stomp out of the café, taking with them my career dreams.

But in this moment, I feel more blessed with the people around me, with my dreams of becoming a mom becoming a reality, I realize.

I don’t care.

I’m happy for the first time in a long time, and I guess it’s time to find out if this happiness is because of him .

If I was marrying Peter, the man who definitely did not want kids, I wasn’t going to bring a child into a world where they only had one parent on their team. But Harris, he’s definitely not like Peter, he was made to be a dad.

He’s a kind, loving, hard-working man who gives his all in whatever he does. It’s proven in everything he does. His job, his family, his friends, taking care of me. I can’t wait to watch him become a father. I’m even more excited it’s a baby we are sharing together, a baby created by two people who, in one way or another, have always cared about each other, even when we tried to pretend we didn’t.