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I snicker and plunge nificant others got pregnant and now I knohy "I'imen lets you have a few bites of ice cream here and there"

"That's what I' myself," he says as I let the heavenly concoction of dark chocolate and cherry slide down my throat

I hand the ice cream to him "So what do you want to talk about?"

"Play-offs," he says, and then I wait for him to take another bite and s He hands the pint back tosoonApril fifteenth to be exact And as you know since you're a fan, we've got a great chance at winning the Cup again"

I nod as I eat the ice creaive it back yet

He continues "And I just wanted to let you know that it's just a high-pressure situation The physical and h on the entire teaet really intense during play-offs, really focused on that trophy I'll be involved in the pregnancy, but I'm afraid my head may not be there all the ti personal I'm like that with my family and friends too All of us players, we're just sort of in a zone, and I didn't want you to take it to heart if I'm distant"

My sto, and I realize I don't want a different Lucas I want this easygoing, fun, and sexy guy He'sto turn into athe play-offs Even worse, what if he's letting me know this is the start of the end of us? I think he's telling me that's when our expiration date will kick in, and I don't like the way I feel incredibly let down right now

But he'll never know I feel that way because I don't share stuff like that Instead, I put on a pleasant set it You should concentrate on the play-offs That's a big deal, and I'irl You don't need to worry about me"

Lucas physically deflates in front of lad you understand I know things are really new, but I figured you'd getfrom"

"Well, I'ot that out of the way," I say as I put the ice crea this deadline loo overtoward Lucas, I pull the sheet off his lap and bring ainst his leg He groans when I wrapit in short pulls until he starts to get hard

I look up at hi shaft "I think you're ready to go again"

He ive him a squeeze and smile to myself

At least I have this right now

Chapter 11

Lucas

I lean in toward the bathrooht,direction, and then I'

What I'd really like to do is have her over here for a change, but that's difficult with this being a set a little loud

It's also difficult because despite that first night ere together in nancy, she's put off any suggestion of hooking up here I think it's just another way to keep soet comfortable in my space

That's all just supposition, though, because she and I haven't talked very much in the last four days I've been on a road trip where we actually clinched first place in our division, e when the play-offs start next week

And next weekit's on, big time

I turn away frorab o Stephanie extended the invite to me when I texted her ere back from the trip, and I was a little bit surprised, because the coone I'd text her eachto ask how she was, and she'd respond with a few lines, but nothing more She didn't reach out to a hockey fan This hasn't been setting ithtired of the friends-with-benefits gig we got going on or even perhaps it has too s involved

Regardless of the reason for her pulling away this week, I' into stressful times for both of us, and e have is as about as solid asice over a lake I can't haveplay-offs She can't afford to be stressed out during the pregnancy

I head into the kitchen, intent on snagging a bottle of water froe for the ride don to Stephy's house There's a knock at our door andthe news His eyes co contest

Finally I ask, "Are you going to get the door?"

"Why me?" he replies lazily

"Uest dryly

With a huff, he rolls off the couch and luer than ht

Like a lot

I wouldn't want to meet a pissed-off Van in a dark alley

Or a lit alley for that matter