Page 11 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“Harsh?” I repeat.

“Yeah.” He scrubs down the equipment with an antibacterial wipe. “If they’re like Rosie’s parents the way I think they are, they’re not going to be pleased and they’re going to voice that. Just be there for her.”

“I can do that.”

He sobers and slaps a hand over my shoulder. “And dude, whatever the fuck they say to you. Don’t take it to heart.”

I gulp.

Something tells me I’m fucked.

CHAPTER 4

BERTIE

“This is first class.”

I glance up at Luke from where I’ve slid into my seat by the window. “Is that a question or a statement?”

He shakes his head. “You didn’t have to splurge for me.”

“I didn’t. I splurged for me.” I rifle through my purse, not for anything in particular but just so I have something to do to keep my jittery hands busy.

“Yeah, but you could’ve gotten me a cheaper seat. I wouldn’t have complained.”

“I know you wouldn’t have.” Sometimes I wonder if Luke has ever complained about anything in his entire life. The guy is the definition of easy-going. Nothing seems to ruffle his feathers. I pat the empty seat beside me. “Sit down. You’re going to hold up boarding.”

He plops down, looking around in panic, but there’s not actually anyone waiting behind him yet.

“Relax.” I pat his knee. “You’re too jumpy.”

“Can’t help it,” he mumbles. “I’m not used to fancy shit.”

I try not to laugh. “You do realize you’re going to be playing for the NHL soon. You’ll be making good money. Soon, this will be nothing.”

He shakes his head. “I hope I never get used to this kind of thing. I don’t want to take things for granted.”

God, this man. He’s too fucking pure for words.

“I know this is something we should’ve already talked about, and I haven’t wanted to ask because I’m a bit scared of the answer, but what team drafted you?”

He shakes his head, lips twitching with the threat of a smile. “The Nashville Reign.”

“Really?” I blurt in surprise.

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” he asks curiously.

“Good. I … I don’t really have a plan after we graduate, but I thought I might head to Nashville for a while.” Our university is close to Nashville and since I love it around here, I thought I would either move right into the city or close by. “It’s not that I wouldn’t move wherever you’re playing considering I have no idea what to do with my life, but now that I’m pregnant, I’m kind of glad to know that we’ll be close to your mom.” I shake my head. “Sorry, that probably sounds so pushy of me, like I expect your mom to help, but even if we’re not together-together I figure you’ll want to be close to the baby, so I just thought I’d move wherever you were going and … I’m going to shut up now.”

He cracks a smile. “You’re pretty cute when you ramble.”

“Ugh.” I press a hand to my face. “No, it’s embarrassing.” Letting my hand drop, I ask, “Do you have an apartment lined up or anything?”

“I’m supposed to move in with one of the other players and his wife after we graduate. They have a garage apartment I can stay in.”

“Oh.”

“It’s a pretty big garage,” he says, his shoulders almost rising to his ears. “It’s a nice space. They sent me a video. Here.”