Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
True.
I hadn’t thought of my feelings at all.
Only his reaction to it.
“I know,” I admit, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t want to freak him out. Or make things more complicated than they already are.”
“Complicated how?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.
I hesitate, my stomach twisting. “We’re not together, together,” I say slowly. “We’re dating. I don’t even know what his favorite ice cream flavor is.”
“Vanilla.” She yawns. “He’s dull—but that’s not the point. The point is: you don’t have to know his favorite ice cream flavor to know how he’ll handle this. If he’s worth anything, he’ll step up. And if he doesn’t…” She shrugs, her tone light but her expression serious. “Then you know exactly what kind of person he is.”
I sigh, leaning back into the couch. “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” she replies, grinning. “Don’t worry, though. You’ll be fine. You’re stronger than you think, and this kid’s gonna have the coolest mom ever.”
“Thanks.” A relieved smile tugs at my lips.
“And the coolest aunt,” she adds, winking. “Obviously.”
“Obviously,” I say, rolling my eyes.
I’m glad she doesn’t hate me. And I’m glad she doesn’t think I trapped her brother into a lifelong commitment before he’s ready.
Nova leans back, stroking Gio absentmindedly. “So, how are you actually going to tell him? Can I help?”
“I hadn’t thought about it. I’ve only worried about it,” I tell her honestly with a laugh.
She gets animated. “Oooh! I have an idea! How about this: you get a onesie printed that says, ‘Daddy’s Little Teammate,’ and hand it to him.”
I pause, chewing on my lip. “I don’t know. Maybe I should sit him down and tell him—the old fashioned way. No frills, no gimmicks. Just honesty.”
Nova pulls a face, not loving that idea. “Or—hear me out—you get a puck and write, ‘You’re gonna be a dad’ on it, take him to the arena. Get him in the box and chuck it at him. Very on-brand, right?”
I groan. “Nova, I’m not trying to give the poor guy a heart attack.”
“Lame,” she pouts. “What about balloons? Everyone loves balloons. You could fill one with confetti and pop it, and the confetti spells out the news. Super dramatic.”
“Super messy,” I point out, shaking my head. “Besides, I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who needs theatrics.”
“Pfft. My brother loves drama, what are you talking about? If you hadn’t noticed, one of the reasons he’s so into you is because you’re willing to make an ass of yourself in public.”
I take offense to that. “When do I make an ass of myself?!”
“Uh—at every home game? The signs? The tauntin—" She stops speaking and looks at me. “That’s it. That’s the idea!”
“What is?”
“A sign! At the game!” Nova’s eyes light up as she scoots closer, clearly excited by her latest brainwave. “Think about it! You’re already his number one fan—literally. You could hold up a sign during the game that says something like, ‘You’re Gonna Be a Dad!’”
He would die.
I gape at her, absolutely horrified. “Nova, no. Absolutely not. Do you know how mortifying that would be? For both of us?”
She cackles, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Oh, come on. It’s perfect! Public, dramatic, and completely on-brand for you two. Less of a heckle, more of an announcement. So Khloe Kardash of you.”
I groan, throwing a pillow at her. “First of all, I am nothing like Khloe Kardashian. Second of all, no. Absolutely not. I’m not announcing this like it’s a gender reveal party on steroids.”
Nova catches the pillow, her grin widening. “You are no fun. Admit it, it’d be unforgettable! For everyone! The fans would eat that shit up!”
They seriously would.
The announcement would likely go viral and plastered on every major news network across the country.
The more she talks the less I hate the idea.
It would be Classic Austin.
“Oh my God, Nova. He would shit his pants.”
For so many reasons.
Nova hoots, clapping her hands together. “It’s perfect. Public enough to make it memorable, but not so over-the-top that it’s a complete shit-show.”
I shake my head with another laugh. “What if Gio gets distracted and they lose which could lose The Baddies, the championship, and then the Cup and suddenly I’m the reason they had a horrible season.”
Not to mention, being highlighted in all the Sports Fail reels.
“You are way overthinking this.”
“Am I?” I ask. “I’m just making sure Gio lets a puck through his glove ‘cause he’s too busy reading my sign?”
She ignores my question and continues making arguments for the sign. “…Or are you bringing your entire relationship full-circle? It’s perfect.”
“I can’t argue with that, I guess,” I continue chewing my nail nervously. “Ugh, why is this so hard?”
“Because this baby is going to be life changing–in a good way!” Nova says optimistically. “You’re not dropping this massive bomb on his life and hoping he doesn’t explode.”