Page 134 of Taking Sides

“Ecstatic,” I tell him honestly.

He eyes me warily like I’m a threat. To him—on the ice—sure, but not to Whitney. I realize now why he’s here. He wants to make sure I’m going to look out for her now that he’s going. Maybe he does care about someone other than himself.

“I’ll be here for her.” Always. Or as long as she’ll let me be. Hopefully, that’s forever. “I promise.”

“Yeah, well, if you don’t, I’ll be back to kick your ass.” He pulls a piece of torn paper from his back pocket and hands it to me. I unfold it as he says, “My number. In case she needs anything.”

The idea of calling Victor for any reason still seems too surreal to imagine, but it’s a gesture from a guy I didn’t think was capable of feeling.

“Thanks,” I say as I stare down at the paper.

I expect that’s it and for him to scurry away, but Victor lingers.

“Something else?” I prompt him.

“She’s telling our dad today. I’m not sure what he’ll say, but just in case it doesn’t go well, I thought you should know.”

We told my parents last night. They were as thrilled as I expected them to be and are already planning a visit to look at possible second home options. Oh, and my mom is determined to throw an epic baby shower. I was happy to share my parents’ happiness with Whitney but now I’m wondering if it’s only going to make her feel worse if her dad is a jerk.

“I appreciate the heads-up.”

He glances around at the arena, then steps back. “See you on the ice, pretty boy.”

When I’m finished with practice, I head to Moonshot High School. The office administrator gives me a visitor pass and instructions to Whitney’s classroom.

The hallways are quiet as I navigate through them. I’m hit with a million memories—good and bad. I couldn’t wait to get out of high school, but I never could have imagined things would have turned out the way they did. Or that I’d be this happy to be walking in one today.

When I reach the room, I pause outside, listening in. The door is cracked open, and Whitney stands at the front of the room. She’s smiling and staring out at the students. They’re engaged, calling out answers and laughing. It isn’t like any math class I ever took, that’s for sure.

“Close,” she says, then moves to the whiteboard. She explains as she draws out the problem for them. Her free hand rests absently on her lower stomach.

It’s too soon for her to be showing yet, but I can’t wait to see the proof of our baby growing inside her. I’ve always wanted kids and to have a big family someday, but the anticipation is even greater because it’s with her.

As the bell rings, she shouts out a few last reminders over the shuffling of books into backpacks and chairs scraping against the floor. As she watches them file out of her room, she finally spots me.

Whitney’s eyes light up, and her mouth pulls into a smile. I get a few glances from the kids, but most of them are too busy rushing to their next class to give me much notice.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” she says as I finally step into the empty room with her.

I lift my gaze from her to the classroom. It’s brighter than how I remember my high school math classes. There are posters on the wall and shelves filled with colorfully spined books. It’s warm and fun, just like her.

“I didn’t want to wait until tonight to see you,” I say as I reach her. I lean down and brush my lips over hers.

“Is everything okay?” she asks as I pull back.

“Yeah.” I bob my head. “I had a visitor at the arena today.”

“Who?”

“Victor.”

Her mouth forms a surprised O before her lips turn down into a grimace. “Oh no.”

“No.” I chuckle softly. Her reaction tells me exactly how she thinks it went down. No one is more surprised than I am. “It was okay, actually. Strange, but okay.”

Her body relaxes. “What did he want?”

“To make sure I was going to stick around, I think.”