Page 101 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“And please, for the love of all that is holy, do not hurt her. I’d hate to have to send Rett over to fuck up your other leg.” My brows rise as a trickle of fear races through me.

Never mess with a pregnant chick.

“I-I don’t have any intentions of doing that,” I mutter.

“That’s good to hear. I know this is all new and scary. I had a front-row seat to watch Rett shed his fuckboy persona, but I think he’d probably agree with me that it’s the best thing he ever did.”

“What’s that, sweetheart?” he asks, folding over the back of the couch so his head is between us.

“I was just telling Calvin that I’m the best thing that ever happened to you.”

“Fuck, yeah,” he agrees instantly before cupping her jaw and brushing his lips against hers.

But I don’t need Rett’s words to confirm what I already know. He’s a better person now he’s got Bea. We all see it. She’s also helped to make him a better player. I just hope that I get the chance to prove to these guys that the same could possibly happen to me.

“Excuse me,” I mutter, pushing from the couch, leaving Clark to deal with the loved-up couples around him while I go and offer my support to Alison, who is now alone in the kitchen.

“Put me to work, ma’am,” I say, pulling out my best southern charm. “What needs doing?”

“Okay, sweetie. This big bird here needs to take her seat at the center of the table.”

“You got it, Mrs. D,” I tease with a wink before heaving the large bird into my hands.

I manage to take one step before I realize my mistake. The plate tilts, and long before anything happens, the image of the turkey crashing to the floor fills my head.

Panic grips me as I fight to find my footing and right the plate. But as I do, pain sears up my leg, only making the situation worse.

“It’s okay. I’ve got it,” a deep voice rumbles, and when I look up, I find Clark rescuing the turkey from my arms. “Go and sit down, son. We need you resting that leg so you can get out kicking ass on that ice as soon as possible.”

A lump crawls up my throat the second he calls me son. It’s been so long since I’ve heard that said in such a way.

I nod, looking around to see if anyone else is watching. Thankfully, they’re all too distracted with each other.

“I’ll just take the potatoes,” I force out, before picking up the much smaller bowl and taking it to the table.

30

SIENNA

Bea: You will NOT believe what your man is doing right now.

My stomach flutters at her calling Calvin my man.

We’ve been messaging on and off since I got my cell back after dinner. It was such a relief to know he wasn’t mad at me, and from what I can tell, he’s having a good day.

After spending the day at Linc and Parker’s, everyone has now congregated at Cole and Freya’s.

Sienna: I’m not sure he owns that title yet…

Bea: He totally does. He’s so gone for you.

Oh, there are those wild butterflies again.

Reading those words shouldn’t make me so happy. Just a few weeks ago, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t go anywhere near a hockey player.

Well, look at me now—desperate to get back to LA so I can see him in person and not through a screen.

It hasn’t even been forty-eight hours since I saw him.