Chapter 50: Bryn

Just like when we announced ourselves as being a couple, social media is booming over our quick marriage. As predicted, not all the comments were nice. The possibility of me being pregnant was a big point that people gave as a reason, but I couldn’t be mad because it wasn’t a total lie. I am pregnant and even though I know that’s not why Sawyer married me, the rest of the world wouldn’t understand that. It would be pointless to try and explain our motives to people who are happy with their own narrative of events.

When Coach Haskins called Sawyer and me into his office for a talk, though…I was ready to pull out my morning sickness card and make a dash for it. Sawyer, on the other hands has been striding around campus looking smug and with a permanent smirk on his face. While I have been hating all the attention and taken to hiding in the library.

My study group friends are not very excited for me and the friendships I had started to grow have turned into bitter cold, polite conversations. So cold that it feels as if they’re trying to ice me out of the group without saying anything officially. They want me to quit without them having to ask me to leave, and I’m about ready to do it. If they have a problem with me being married to Sawyer, then there isn’t much I can do, not that I would want to. He’s done nothing other than love me, so I won’t feel guilty or ashamed by what we’ve done.

I’m happy. Sawyer has been spoiling me with my favorite foods and even late night craving runs for the past two weeks with no complaint. Everything between us has been amazing, but my Coach isn’t happy then he will take it out on Sawyer. So I need to make sure that doesn’t happen. The Coach and I have a good work relationship and a comfort between us that comes from mutual respect, but he’s a very important cog in the wheel of Sawyer’s move into the pros. If he’s not happy, then he can make getting drafted very hard for Sawyer, so this meeting is a big deal.

“Stop worrying.” Sawyer says for the third time today.

My leg is bouncing like crazy right now. We’re waiting in Coach’s office now, and that he isn’t here is making me even more anxious.

“He isn’t going to face us to get a divorce. He can’t, so stop freaking out.” Sawyer says and laughs when I throw a glare his way.

I wish I could be as chill as him, but everything involving him makes me worry. If I’m not careful, I might get an ulcer from all the worrying I’ve been doing since he pushed his way back into my life.

“I wish you would take these things more seriously.” I tell him and he sighs.

“B, I know you think that me not getting drafted will be the end of hockey for me. Maybe it will, but I’m okay with that. You and our baby are the most important thing in my life now, and if that means I’ll be working in a lame insurance job, then fine. I don’t really give a shit about anything else but you, so like I said, stop worrying. Everything will work out.” He leans over and brushes his lips over mine. “I promise.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that Beckett.” Coach’s voice has me jumping an inch off my seat and pulling away from Sawyer like he might give me a disease.

Coach walks past us and takes a seat behind his desk. He keeps his eyes on us when he leans forward and rests his arms on his desk.
I’m biting the inside of my cheek now and it hurts like crazy, but it’s all I can so that I’m not fidgeting under his stare.

“So, not only have you two been dating, but now you’re married. That’s a lot of important secrets to be keeping from me, Sawyer.” His eyes narrow on my new husband and that nervousness I felt a moment ago gives way to annoyance.

“There is to rule in hockey that its players can not get married.” I point out.

It seems my hormones have chosen sassy and violent for this conversation.

Coach raises a brow at me, but I don’t shrink back. We stare at each other for a few seconds until he chuckles. “No, there isn’t. Don’t worry, Bryn, I have no intention of getting between you two. As long as you keep things professional while we practice and work with the team, then you have no beef with me. In fact, I think it will be good for your game, Beckett. Something for you to fight for.”

Relief floods over me, and all the tension in my body seeps away.

“No problem, Coach.” Sawyer says.

“Good, now anything else I should know before we join the guys for practice?”

It’s almost like he has a sixth sense, because why else would he ask that?

“I’m pregnant!” I blurt out.

I could never be a criminal because as soon as the cops got me in the interrogation room, I would confess instantly. Coach looks a little stunned by the news, but then he’s laughing again.

“Well shit. We’re going to have a tiny mascot coming soon? That’s great news guys. Bryn, that means you need to be especially careful around the guys.”

The guys are pretty great with me, but can be demanding and selfish as well. It won’t take long for Sawyer to let it spill that we have a baby coming. He’s already started treating me like I’m fragile. While I can admit I’ve been feeling tired, I don’t want to be sitting on my butt the entire pregnancy.

“I’m not sure we should tell them yet.” I say, while avoiding Sawyer’s not-so-subtle looks. “It’s just so soon, and I don’t want them to treat me any differently.”

The Coach makes a sound of consideration but shakes his head. “You’re part of this team, Miss Raven. We don’t keep secrets in this team, so we will have to tell the guys. I’m sure you don’t want them treating you differently, but your situation has changed. You can’t go on as if everything is normal when it isn’t. Sorry.”

“I understand.” And I do.

These guys are his team, and it’s important to him that there is transparency in the ranks. As he said, I’m a part of that team now, so the rules should apply to me as well.

“Alright, now Becket, get your ass in uniform and on the ice.” Coach slaps the table and stands.

“Actually, Coach, there’s one more thing. I took Bryn’s last name when we got married. So it’s Raven now, not Becket.” Sawyer says with a goofy smile on his face.

Coach sighs and shakes his head. “Wonderful. I’ll have to order you a new jersey before the next game, then. Just wear your old one for now, and I’ll get on that.”

“Yes, sir.” Sawyer gives him a fake salute and stands as well.

I follow suit and Coach waves us out of his office. When we step out, all the guys are standing around looking at us with various expressions. Some are smirking knowingly and others looked shocked.

“What?” I snap at them.

Then there is a chorus of cheers, and they descend on Sawyer and me. I’m wrapped in a hug and passed on like a doll to each of the guys.

“Congrats brother. And you got her knocked up? You’re not playing around.” Bishop says slapping Sawyer on the back.

“Damn right. I needed to lock my girl down before any other asshole got ideas about taking her.” Sawyer says, but his smile falls when he looks my way and doesn’t see me laughing.

I raise a brow at him. “Am I in possession of you? Because that’s sounding a lot like a divorce.”

“Ohhhhhh!” the guys yell together.

Sawyer smiles and pulls me against him and kisses me in front of all the guys. “You know that’s not true B. You're the one who owns me.”

“Boooo!” The guys grab at Sawyer and pull him away from me and toward the lockers. “Let’s go lover boy.”

I watch the guys drag my new husband away and I walk out of the locker area so I don’t see all the guys with towels on and nothing more. They might be sport gods with great bods, but the only guy I want to see naked is Sawyer. Talk about a god among men!

Coach had set up a small kitchen for me in the break room used by the guys, so I head over there to get some protein shakes ready for the guys. I’m intercepted but that same clique of girls from before.

Well crap. I don’t want to deal with them today.