Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

27. Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jade

The bathroom smells like bleach and desperation. I’m hunched over the toilet, tossing my cookies for what feels like the fifth time tonight. Damn it. I wipe my mouth and glance at the mirror, my reflection a mess.

“Jade?” Millie knocks softly on the door. “You okay in there?”

“Yeah, just peachy,” I groan, flushing the toilet and sitting back on my heels. My head swims with nausea and maybe a sprinkle of anxiety. “Just...nerves, you know?”

“Are you sure it’s just nerves?” she pushes. “What the hell’s going on?”

I lean back against the wall, catching my breath. “Axel made me peppermint tea last time this happened, and it settled my stomach. But…” I trail off, swallowing hard. The truth is, I’m not sure if it’s nerves or something else.

“Okay, but seriously, what’ve you been up to? You’re not overexerting yourself, are you?” Millie’s voice is steady but concerned.

“No, I swear. I even put boxing on hold.” I mean it. I’ve been trying to take it easy, but that doesn’t change the churn in my gut. “I’m fine.”

“Then what is it?”

“Maybe it’s my period?”

She laughs, but I can’t join in. I just shake my head, my stomach flipping again.

And then it hits me like a ton of bricks. My eyes widen as I realize…

“Fuck!” I exclaim, my heart racing. I jump to my feet, feeling like I’ve just stepped onto a roller coaster I didn’t sign up for. “Millie! I think I missed my period. By two weeks!”

Her eyes go wide, and she steps closer, trying to gauge my seriousness. “Wait, what? You’re kidding, right?”

“I wish I was!” I pace the small bathroom, the tiles cold beneath my feet. “I’ve been sleeping with three guys! What the hell was I thinking?”

Millie blinks, a mix of concern and confusion. “They use protection, right?”

I nod, but it’s not as reassuring as I’d like it to be. “Yeah, I mean, they did…I think, but there’s always a lot going on…during…well… you know.”

“Then you’re fine,” she says, but there’s an edge to her voice that makes me question her certainty. She won’t meet my eyes, and I can tell she’s not completely convinced.

“But…”

“We don’t have to panic yet. Let’s just go to the store and get a pregnancy test.” Her tone shifts from worried to practical, and I appreciate that.

“I’m scared, Millie. What if I’m pregnant?” The thought alone sends another wave of nausea rolling through me.

“Hey, I’ll be right here,” she vows, putting a hand on my shoulder. “We got this.”

I nod, swallowing hard again as we both step out of the bathroom. Just as we exit, a loud chorus of booing reaches us from the arena. The Chicago Icebreakers have lost. Great. Just what I needed to cap off a shit day.

“Fuck. What a day!” I groan, shaking my head.

Millie chuckles softly. “Let’s get that test, and then we can go commiserate with the guys about their loss.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I reply, trying to muster a smile.

We make our way through the chaos of the arena, the crowd buzzing with disappointment. My mind is spinning with thoughts of missed periods, potential pregnancy, and how the hell I’m going to deal with this. But first, I need that test, and I need it fast.

The fluorescent lights of the store buzz overhead as Millie and I navigate the aisles. I can’t shake the pit in my stomach. We walk straight to the family planning section and I grab a couple of pregnancy tests, my hands shaking. “This feels surreal,” I mutter, tossing them into the basket.

“Just breathe,” Millie says, grabbing a few more. “We’ll figure this out.”

I give her a weak nod, but inside, I’m a fucking mess. What if I really am pregnant? What will I tell Axel? What will my brother say? Jared is going to kill him and then me!

“Let’s get out of here,” I say. The thought of running away sounds so damn appealing. I just want to disappear for a bit.

After we head to the register, I spot Ryan, Millie’s ex-boyfriend from the Blackhawks, with a couple of his teammates. The moment our eyes lock, my stomach drops. Of course, he has to be here. Just my luck.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the queen of bad decisions,” Ryan smirks, crossing his arms. “You two look like a couple of losers. Both your boyfriends are what, still playing junior hockey?”

“Shut the fuck up, Ryan,” Millie snaps, stepping in front of me.

I’m still too rattled to say anything, my mind racing with the implications of those damn tests.

“Can’t take the heat?” Ryan chuckles. “What’s wrong, Millie? Afraid the team won’t be able to hack it?” He leans in, a mocking grin plastered on his face. “Especially Finn. I heard he’s a real piece of work.”

“Fuck off!” I finally find my voice, stepping forward. “They’re way better than you’ll ever be.”

Millie grabs my arm, squeezing tightly. “Jade, let’s just go.”

But before I can take a breath, Axel appears out of nowhere, eyes locked on Ryan. “What the hell are you doing here?” he demands, his tone low and dangerous.

Ryan rolls his eyes, clearly unfazed. “Just sharing some laughs. Nothing wrong with that, right, Axel?”

“Piss off, man,” Axel snaps, glancing at me. His expression shifts to concern, and I feel my insides twist. “Jade, are you okay?”

“She’s fine,” Millie cuts in, but I can tell she’s not convinced. “We just need to go home for a little bit.”

Axel leans down, planting a soft kiss on my cheek. “Baby?”

“Baby?” Ryan scoffs loudly. “Huh! I should have figured you would follow your little friend’s footsteps. A couple of puck bunnies, that’s what you two are.”

“I swear to God if you don’t shut up right this second…” Axel shouts before pushing Ryan into the aisles.

I clutch the pregnancy tests I am hiding even tighter.

“It’s not worth the trouble,” Millie steps in. “He is worthless. That is why I had him exchanged for three men who are better than him in every way.”

“You bitch!” Ryan hisses.

“Take one more step, I dare you,” Axel says. “I don’t care that you’re here with your boys. I will pummel you to the fucking ground if I have to.”

“It’s all good. We got this,” Millie says tugging me away from them. “Let’s leave Axel. Don’t engage with this asshole.”

His warmth lingers, calming me a bit despite the chaos around us.

“Thanks,” I manage to mumble.

As we step outside, the cold air hits me like a splash of ice water. Millie unlocks the car, and I sink into the passenger seat. The world is still spinning. Axel watches me through the driver’s window for a moment before waving at me and walking away in the opposite direction, probably to go cool off.

That is what is best for all of us right now if I’m being honest.

“What the hell just happened back there?” I mutter, running my hands through my hair. “I’m not sure how this happened. What will Declan say? What will Finn think? Oh my God! You need to be with them. They lost the game too.”

“My husbands will be okay Jade. They’re with Kieran and Kaylee right now. Declan and Finn care about you, you know that. They wouldn’t mind me staying with you.” Millie starts the car, her hands steady on the wheel.

“Yeah, but it’s different now,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “What if they’re disappointed?”

“Disappointed?”

“I don’t know. I slept with the team players,” I whisper. “As captains…”

Millie rolls her eyes. “You seem to forget they slept with me too.”

I scoff. “At least with them, you knew where you stood. Those men, Chase included, they would die for you Millie. They would freaking kill for you.”

Millie glances at me, her expression softening. “Morbid much babe? If you talk to Coach Nate, Axel, or even Carter, they’d assure you that they care for you too. They’re not going to abandon you, Jade.”

I take a shaky breath, letting her words sink in. “I just don’t want to screw everything up. I don’t know what I’ll do if…”

“Let’s not go there yet,” she interrupts gently. “First things first, we need to take those tests and see what’s up.”

“Right.” I nod, but dread settles in my chest like a lead weight.

As we drive, the city lights flicker past, but my mind is stuck on what’s about to happen. What if the tests are positive? I can’t even wrap my head around the idea of being pregnant. I mean, I’ve been sleeping with three guys—how will we know who the father is?

“Hey,” Millie says, breaking through my spiraling thoughts. “No matter what happens, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks,” I reply, my voice shaky. “I just wish I could fast forward through this.”

She pulls into a parking lot, and my stomach churns again.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

“Let’s get different tests. You will have a variety to take then.”

We both climb out, and I try to take a steadying breath as we make our way into the store. The smell of popcorn hits us, reminding me of the games we usually attend.

“This is the same place we bought those shots for the last party, right?” Millie asks, and I nod, forcing a smile.

“Good times, huh?”

“Yeah, well, this isn’t exactly the same vibe,” she chuckles, guiding me toward the aisle that has the pregnancy tests.

“Just grab a few,” I say, trying to keep it light.

Millie picks up a couple, looking them over. “How about we grab these fancy ones? They’re supposed to be more reliable.”

“Sure, whatever,” I mumble, not really paying attention.

Once we’ve got the tests in hand, we head to the checkout. I can’t help but glance at the display near the register. “Shit, Millie, what if I am? What will I do?”

“Let’s just see,” she says, her voice soothing. “You’re not alone in this. We’re in it together.”

After what feels like an eternity, we’re back in her car, and I can’t help but shake with anxiety. I stare out the window as we drive back, the city lights blurring into streaks.

“You ready?” Millie asks as we pull into the driveway.

“No,” I whisper, my heart racing.

“Come on, Jade. Let’s just do it,” she says firmly, grabbing my hand.

Inside, I can feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. “What if I’m not ready for this?”

“We’ll figure it out,” she replies, her confidence unwavering.

I place my trembling fingers over my flat belly. This was not how I imagined finding out I was pregnant. Then again, I hadn’t really thought about getting pregnant all that often.

It didn’t seem possible that there could be life just beneath my fingers, working hard to thrive and grow. What the hell was I going to do?