Page 143 of Taking Sides

“Oh.” The relief I feel lasts only a moment because Sloane still looks panicked. I wonder if he was a jerk to her back then. It’s hard for me to picture, but I know people do shitty things sometimes.

“Was he mean to you? Do I need to kick his ass?” Or, more likely, have Conrad do it.

“No, nothing like that. We went to high school together and I had a crush on him.” She winces. “It’s embarrassing.”

The smile on my face lifts higher. “Trust me, Danny would get the biggest kick out of that.”

She doesn’t look convinced.

“I don’t know what he was like in high school, but he’s a good guy now. I’ll vouch for him, and if I’m wrong, then I’ll sic my fiancé on him. And no one needs to know about the crush thing. My lips are sealed.”

“I’ve been trying to tell you for months. It’s dumb. I know it is, who cares, right? But the thought of facing him makes me want to puke. I’m so sorry. I thought I could do it, but it’s too humiliating. He’s this successful hockey player and I’m . . . me.”

“Don’t sell yourself short.”

Another car pulls up out front. Sloane tenses, but when Grady and Landon get out of the truck, she relaxes a fraction.

Her smile turns sad. “I love you. I hope today is amazing. And that you’ll forgive me for being the worst friend ever.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” I step forward and hug her with one arm. “I’ll text you later and you can come over and help me eat the leftovers.”

“Okay.” She finally gives me a flicker of a smile. “I better go.”

She backs away, waving at my new guests as she heads to her vehicle.

“Open mine next!” Jake yells from where he stands in the kitchen. My little house is packed full with Conrad’s teammates, our friends, and most of my players too.

“This one.” Ruby holds her hand over a big gift bag and looks to the smiling teenager currently eating another one of my little cakes. I should have had Conrad hide more of them.

“Yeah.” He nods excitedly as Ruby lifts the bag and sets it on the floor in front of me. She gives me a leery look. Most of the boys have gone with traditional baby presents that their parents obviously helped pick out, but there is literally no telling with Jake. He’s smiling too big for it not to be a gag gift.

“Want me to check it out first?” Hannah offers. She’s sitting beside me, writing down who got us which gifts, so we can send thank-you cards later. I’m already blown away by the generosity, and there’s a pile of presents left.

“No.” I laugh and hesitantly reach inside. “If it bites or shocks me, I know how to get him back.”

Jake’s face pales. “Bag skates?”

I give him a “we’ll see” look and then pull out a large, soft . . . teddy bear. I’m confused . . . and even more suspicious.

“Press the middle!” one of the other kids yells at me.

I do, and my voice fills the air. “Get it deep!”

The house fills with laughter.

I press it again and yep . . . Jake recorded me calling out the phrase during one of our practices. Taken out of context it is, admittedly, a little funny. And totally inappropriate for my child.

“Thanks,” I say dryly.

“Any time, Coach.” He grins at me.

After we’re finished with presents, the kids hurry out to do something more fun than hang with their coaches.

“Thanks for coming,” I say to Grady and Landon as I walk them to the door.

“Grady said he’d bring me to the hospital to visit when you have the baby. If it’s okay with you.” Landon’s face lights up at the prospect. How could I say no?

“I’d love that.”