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"No...actually. Never that. Because I knew I would." I inhale deeply before continuing. "I kept it from you because nothing could keep me from being there for Gabi. Not my career. Not hockey. Not even you. I knew I would sacrifice it all. Burn every bridge to the ground if it meant being there for her.
"You love her that much?" Gio asks, the question a demand more than anything else.
I don't hesitate. "More. She's my everything. And so is our family."
I wait for Gio's reaction, bracing myself for anger or judgment. But it doesn't come. Instead, he lets out a sigh and sits back down next to me on the bench.
His shoulders slump, his dark hair falling over his brow, hiding his eyes. "Fuck me. I can't believe this."
"Neither can I."
He shakes his head. "You always have to go and make things complicated, don't you? Couldn't just be happy with your fame and fortune, huh?"
I let out a small laugh, knowing he's right. "Apparently not. But I wouldn't trade Gabi or this baby for all the fame and fortune in the world."
We sit in silence for a few moments before Gio speaks again.
"So, what now?"
"I don't know. But whatever happens, I'll be there for her. For both of them. To keep it real, I'm just waiting for Gabi to recognize that she's ready for us to be a family, too. I'm still figuring out how to handle this whole father thing, but I want to be there for her. And I hope she'll let me."
Gio nods, a small smile on his face. "I have no doubt she will. My sister is stubborn as shit. But she ain't stupid."
"Hey now, watch it. That's my girl you're talking about. But yes. Yes, she is."
"Of course, she gets it from the family. Well, most things. I won't hold it against her that she's going to wind up forever linked to the most selfless asshole I know."
"I'm guessing that asshole in question would be me?"
"Gotta keep you in check, man." Gio winks at me. " But that doesn't mean I'm not going to kick your ass for keeping this from me."
I grin at him, emotion working its way into my throat. "Wouldn't expect anything less from you."
My best friend, the brother that I've known all my life, claps me on the back, and I breathe out a sigh that practically makes my lungs sag.
I'm almost ready to rise to my feet and peel whatever's left of this uniform off me. Until Gio's phone starts to ring.
He holds up a hand with a smug grin. "Hold on. That must be God calling to congratulate me on my restraint when it comes to not kicking your teeth in."
He answers the call. The grin on his face slides off as he listens. I feel a cold sweat break out over my skin, and I watch as Gio's expression turns to one of disbelief.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he says into the phone. "Slow down, Lex. I can barely understand you when you talk that fast."
My heart hammers in my chest as I watch Gio's go slack.
"Got it. We'll be right there," he says before hanging up and turning to me.
I can see the panic in his eyes, and I don't even need to ask what's going on. We've been best friends for so long that we can practically read each other's minds.
"Gabi's having the baby, isn't she?" I ask, already on my feet.
"Yep," Gio says with a nod, looking like he's about to pass out from shock.
I clap him on the back. "We can save the ass-whooping for after you become a proud uncle."
"Sure will." Gio rises to his feet, too. "But first, we need to get to the hospital."
I nod and follow Gio as we head back into the building to grab our keys and hurry to the car, both of us grinning like a couple of idiots.
