Page 36 of False Start
I’m too busy staring at her to notice that the puck was dropped and in play until I feel the breeze of the players skating past me, pulling me back into practice mode.
“Jake, get your head in the game,” Coach yells from the bench.
I take one more look at her in the stands as she stares right at me, a familiar smile gracing her lips that I know is only meant for me, and it’s that smile that lights me up inside and pushes me through the rest of practice.
“Hey Jake, hold up for a second.” Connor comes up to me just as we’re entering the locker room.
“Hey, what's up?”
“I need to talk to you about something. Can you follow me?” His tone sounds a bit distant, causing me concern.
We walk down the hallway and toward one of the unoccupied supply closets. We make our way in and Connor shuts the door behind him. His posture is tense and his shoulders are stiff. I’ve noticed lately that something’s been off with him, but I figured when he was ready he would come talk to me.
“You’re kind of scaring me, Connor, what’s going on?”
“Look, I’ve been holding onto something that I wasn’t ready to share just yet, but I am now and I wanted to talk to you first as my best friend here and the person I trust the most.”
“Of course, whatever you need, I’m here.”
He’s silent for a long while, and I don’t rush him. I don’t say anything as I let him gather himself, before he finally speaks. “Tasha is pregnant again.”
“Congratulations, man! I know how much your family means to you, that’s incredible.” Happiness fills me at how excited I am for him and Tasha.
“Thanks, Jake. You’re the first person I’ve told. You’re practically family, you know that.”
With everything he’s shared with me over the years, I know what family truly means to him, specifically what being a good dad and loving husband mean to him.
He doesn’t have a relationship with his family after they basically tossed him aside when he chose to pursue a career in the NHL. His father is a high-powered attorney in New York and his mother is a socialite. They always wanted their kids to live in the corporate world and follow in theirfootsteps, marrying who they approved of and being at the top of their social standings. That life was never meant for Connor.
He met Natasha when they were in high school and fell in love instantly. Right away, he knew she was the one for him, and he never let her go. Connor’s high school coach put him in the draft, and when he graduated, he was drafted to the AHL team down here. Natasha followed him here, going to college online to earn her degree in business management. With her passion for baking and people, she was able to use her skills and degree to open up Love & Lattes.
“I’m honored you thought of telling me first, but from the somber look on your face, I’m guessing there’s more.”
He walks over to one of the cabinets, leaning against it and cradling his head in his hands. “She’s roughly fourteen weeks pregnant, and obviously, we’ve held off on telling people. She had some spotting a couple weeks ago, and we were concerned, so we made an appointment. They had some concerns about the heavy bleeding. That, along with her history and this being our third child, there are a few more risk factors to take into consideration. We caught it early, and she’s doing okay right now, but we still want to be extra cautious just to be on the safe side. She’s on medication and strict instructions to keep an eye on things going forward, so it’s just a waiting game right now.”
“What can I do to help?” I walk over and grasp his neck, anchoring him to this moment and letting him know I’m here for him.
“Her parents flew in from New York to help with the girls and run the bakery while I’m at practice and games.” He pauses, and I can feel the weight of this eating at him.
He’s always been a family man—his wife and twodaughters are his entire world. I know he’s stressing about Tasha’s health and the baby’s safety.
“I just hate being away from her if she needs me.” He wipes his face, and it’s then that I notice the tears falling down his cheeks.
I lift him up and wrap him in a hug, giving him a moment where he doesn’t have to be so strong.
After my dad passed, he did the same for me, and it meant so much to me.
He pulls back after a few moments and I put my hands on his shoulders, making sure he’s listening to me. “I think you’re doing everything you can right now, and Tasha knows you love her more than anything. You both have the kind of love that most people dream of having. You have two beautiful daughters who are absolutely incredible and another baby on the way. Just be there when you can for her, and lean on us for help. You know if anything happens, Coach will understand.”
“Thanks, Jake. I knew you were the right person to talk to.”
Besides the twins, Connor is the one person on this team I’ve allowed myself to become this close to, and knowing that our relationship means just as much to him solidifies every goal I’ve set in place for myself.
“I’m always here for you, even when you decide you’re sick of me.” We both chuckle as he pulls away and wipes his eyes.
“Listen, I don’t know the full extent of what happened between you and Kailyn, but I can tell that something did.” Before I can interrupt him, he holds up his hand and continues. “Watching you two, it’s evident in the way you look at each other and how you interact. You practically have heart eyes when you look at her and you can’t keep your hands toyourselves. Like, damn, there’s so muchsexual tensionradiating off of you both,” he pauses, giving me a knowing look that has my cheeks turning red.
“All I’m saying is, don’t let past mistakes dictate your future with her. You’re lighting up in a way I’ve never seen before. You’re smiling more, and you’re a little less broody around the locker room. Just take it from me, a love like that only happens once, maybe twice in a lifetime. You’ve been gifted a second chance with her. Don’t waste it being angry at the past or holding it against each other. If you truly love her and she’s the one, then you better grab her and hold onto her tight.”
