Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Who’s the father?” Duke growls.
“Yeah, who’s the father?” Austin says.
The twins echo their question.
“Do you guys promise not to flip out?”
“No,” Duke says like he’s spitting nails.
“I haven’t told him yet,” I say.
“Kat, who’s the father?” Austin says. “Just tell us. We won’t get mad.”
“Dean,” I whisper.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Duke sounds as though he’s grinding his teeth as he speaks. “All this time you tried to convince me that you weren’t fucking that asshole and then he knocks you up and leaves you to deal with a baby by yourself?”
“He didn’t leave me, Denny. Dean doesn’t even know.”
“You and Dean?” Austin sounds confused. “So, you guys were together this whole time?”
“Aus, are you that fucking clueless?” Duke yells so loud my eardrum hurts.
“Knock it off, Duke.” Now, Dad is pissed. “Don’t talk to your sister and brother like that.”
“Sorry, Dad, but this is bullshit.”
“Kat, I’ll be home in a few days,” Dad says.
“Me, too,” Austin says. “I can stay for a few nights.”
“Please don’t say anything to Dean. Any of you. I haven’t had a chance to tell him yet.”
“He’s dead the next time I see him,” Duke says.
“Denny, please don’t do anything,” I scream.
“I can’t make that promise right now.”
I lay my head back on the stack of pillows on my bed and close my eyes.
“Duke just needs time to process,” Austin says after Duke hangs up. “You know he’ll be there for you, Kat.”
“I know.” I sigh. “I was hoping for a better reaction.”
“It’s unexpected,” my dad says, “but we’ll figure it out, honey.”
“Okay, Dad. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Love you guys,” he says before his end of the line goes dead.
“I can’t believe you guys,” Theo says in disbelief.
“So, that was more than a dare at Delta Sig?” Travis asks. “Dean lied right to our fucking faces.”
“He didn’t lie,” I shoot back. “That was a dare. Nothing happened with us until after that.”
“Kat, we’ll figure it out,” Austin interjects. “Try not to let Duke bother you. He has rage issues, you know that. Once he calms down, he’ll feel like shit for acting this way and come crawling back with an apology.”
“You’re right. Thanks for being the normal brother.”
Austin laughs. “I’ll be home on Tuesday.”
Then, he’s gone.
“I need time,” Theo says.
“Me too,” Travis adds.
“Please don’t tell Dean,” I say to the twins.
“Fuck Dean,” Theo growls.
“He’s dead to us,” Travis mutters.
“He didn’t do anything to either of you so don’t take this out on him. He’s still your friend.”
“I need a drink” Travis says.
“More like a whole bottle,” Theo chimes. “Kat, we’re hanging up. We have to… I don’t even know what to say…”
“This is so fucked,” Theo says, his voice distant.
“We’ll call you tomorrow,” Travis says. “We just need some time.”
After we hang up, I feel less anxious than before. My family knows and the world didn’t end. Duke acted like a giant child, but I know he’ll come around. His initial reaction to everything usually sucks because he’s a stupid rage monster. But I know he means well. They all do. The twins will get over it. They’re in shock. And in less than one week, Dean will know, too.
Chapter Twenty-Two
DEAN
For our first matchup against the Washington Capitals, I have the pleasure of playing against Duke Baldwin. He’s a bruiser, a mountain of a man, and the one player on the ice you don’t want to mess with unless you have a death wish. Known by everyone in the NHL as a Baldwin Beatdown, Duke has made a reputation for himself for his highlight-reel knockouts. As the enforcer for his team, fighting is Duke’s specialty.
Moving down the ice with the puck, I’m well aware of Duke and his proximity, forcing me to skate faster. I switch the puck to my weak side, keeping it away from Duke’s blade. But he’s good at getting me to do what he wants because my failed attempts to dodge him send us crashing into the boards. Instead of reaching for the puck, he pulls the gloves from his hands and throws them on the ice along with his stick.
Duke grabs me by the collar of my jersey, his face inches from mine. “You’re mine, asshole” he breathes against my cheek.
I attempt to break free when one of his teammates comes up from the side and steals the puck from between our legs. Those in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center chant for us to fight. Duke slams me into the Plexiglas, as if I weigh nothing, causing me to lose my balance. With a firm grip on my collar, Duke tugs hard enough that I fall backward and into his chest. I give him a shit-eating grin that he returns with his jaw clenched in anger.
“This is for Kat and the baby,” he growls into my ear. “You fucking scumbag.”