Page 56 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“How do you feel?” he asks once we’re driving away.

I think it over for a moment before I give him a soft smile, “Loved.”

CHAPTER 19

LUKE

I yank my helmet off on the way to the locker room. My hair is wet with sweat, and Daire and Cree are in a similar state as they do the same. I appreciate them helping me to practice this summer more than they’ll ever know. I’m sure I’ll still feel ill-prepared once preseason kicks off, but at least I’ll know I’ve done everything I can for that to not be the case.

I shower quickly, feeling more human once I’m clean and out of my sweaty hockey gear.

Saying goodbye to the guys in the parking lot, I get in my truck with plans to head home and take Bertie out on another date, this time for ice cream since she mentioned wanting some this morning. If she thinks I’ve forgotten about my attempts to woo her, she’s sorely mistaken.

Before I can pull out of my parking spot, though, my phone rings with an unfamiliar number. I squint at the screen, nearly sending the call to voicemail, but something tells me to answer.

“Hello?”

A throat clears. “Uh, hey—Luke, this is Tanner. I wanted to give you a call about the move.”

Tanner.

The player we’re supposed to be moving in with in another month. My stomach drops, assuming he’s calling to say it’s no longer going to work for us to use his garage apartment.

I hadn’t bothered adding his phone number into my phone yet. I meant to, but I kept forgetting, so I’m glad I decided to go ahead and answer.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

I hold my breath, waiting for what I know is inevitable bad news.

“The original date I gave you for moving in isn’t going to work. My wife and I are going to be out of town visiting family now.”

“Okay?” I drawl. “Do you want us to come later?”

“My wife and I were talking, and I know it’s sort of last minute, but we thought since you and your girlfriend have a baby coming soon that you might want to move next week? My wife said your girlfriend would probably prefer to get settled sooner rather than later.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t expecting that at all. I don’t bother correcting him on calling Bertie my girlfriend, because if I have anything to say about it, she will be my girlfriend. “I’ll have to talk to her first, but it sounds like that’s a great idea.”

“Awesome. Let me know once you discuss it with her.”

“I will. Thanks.”

“No problem. Bye.”

Tanner hangs up and I stare down at my phone. I’m not sure how Bertie will feel about this, because I think the move has her nervous enough, but it makes sense to get settled now while we’re heading into July and have some time before the baby comes in September.

I text Bertie that I’m leaving the arena and to be ready for ice cream. I leave out the part that I need to talk to her, because I know it’ll only cause her unnecessary duress.

When I pull in the driveway, she pops out of the house almost immediately.

She opens the door and pokes her head in. “Are we really going for ice cream?”

I shrug. “If you want. I heard you say you wanted some this morning.”

“You’re amazing.” She slides into the truck. “I’ve been thinking about ice cream all day and I was just about to cave and go to the grocery store for some.”

“What kind are you craving?” I ask, backing out of the driveway. “Hard pack or soft serve?”

“I’ll always choose soft serve if I have the choice.”