Face-Off With Fate: A Rink Romance | Book #1 of UM Hockey Series

forty five

Vincent Thompson☽

Another game day came and went, and not once could I focus on anything but Scarlett.

Scouts are going crazy for interviews after my last goal. With less than ten seconds on the clock, Sebastian passed to me, as I deked out our opponent, resulting in a dirty tango, and a goal with two seconds on the clock.

The signing start soon and I've been playing like I never have before.

I just wish I knew what was going on with the girls.

Honestly, we all did. None of us have heard anything and it seems none of us have the balls to even ask.

Sebastian faced his fate and went ring shopping the other day. He didn't go cheap either. Before the game, we stood in our living room examining the ring with a hunk of a rock.

Three-carat diamond rings don't come cheap. He spent almost fifty thousand dollars on it...

Luckily for Seb, he's made of money.

I could only ever dream of buying one as nice for Scarlett. She deserves the world.

The rest of us chumps are just waiting it out, as per Seb's previous instructions. I think it's time I man up and ask her what's going on.

"Thompson can I get an interview," I hear the crowd ask as I take a seat on the podium.

I spent some time in the locker room collecting my thoughts so I was prepared for tonight.

All eyes were on me. Something I've grown used to.

As I scan the room for any familiar faces, I see coach standing behind the lights and Theresa further behind him.

"Thompson! Your play with Sullivan was spectacular tonight. It's starting to sound like you're becoming Boston's top prospect!"

Suddenly the room becomes hot and I start to feel dizzy. I grabbed onto my water and answered a few questions as confidently as I could.

My eyes land again on Theresa who begins to wave me down over the other scouts and interviewers.

I flagged over coach and told him I needed a five-minute break and to call over Sebastian to sub me out since most of the interest was about our play.

I nod at Theresa to follow me over to the hallway and she gets the signal instantly.

"Can I talk to you, friend to friend?"

"Yeah, anything. What's up?"

"Well, it's kinda personal," as I scratch the nape of my neck. "I uh-I think my girlfriend might be pregnant."

Theresa pulled on my arm further down the hallway as there was a crowd still walking down the bleachers and passing by us.

"Vincent, are you sure? This could really affect your career."

"I don't know," I groan as I slide down along the wall and sit on the floor. "Like, I love her, don't get me wrong, but am I ready to be a father?! I can't be a dad," I admit.

Look at my track record. A deadbeat dad who turned alcoholic. Could you blame me for being scared?

And Scarlett. I love her, but look at her family?! Teen mother, cheating father, dead adoptive parents.

I don't know if we could be parents.

She's a great girl, but as a parent—I really don't know, just look at our families.

"You should talk to her. Maybe it's a misunderstanding? And maybe if it's not, then you guys can look at options?" Theresa suggests.

I watch as she writes down a couple of things on her notepad. I told her this is off the record...