Chapter 9 - Potholes

"Excuse me?!"

The high pitch screeched was more than his throbbing head could handle. Casey rubbed his temple as Hailey screamed out her tirade.

"That is no excuse! I'm your girlfriend. We used to go out for dinners and parties. Now you act like I don't exist!"

Is she fucking serious?!

"Did you not hear a word I said?" Incredulous venom dripped from his voice. "April's pregnant! With my child! I have responsibilities to worry about. I have to cut back financially to focus on the baby."

Hailey crossed her arms, tapping her foot in annoyance. She pursed her lips and stared at him through narrowed eyes.

"Don't," he warned her as he narrowed his eyes. "Remember, you knew I had another girlfriend when you got involved with me. Surely you knew the risk."

"Stupid bitch should have used birth control," she muttered under her breath.

That was the final straw! Teeth gritted painful against each other and his hands clenched tightly; thankfully his nails were always short otherwise he might have drawn blood.

"Look, Hailey, whether April and I used protection or not is really none of your business…"

"Hold up! You didn't use protection!" Hailey contorted her face into the most offended look possible. "You could have given me a STD!"

"Why does everything have to be about you?!" Casey had enough of trying to keep his cool as he yelled loud enough that the neighboring dorms surely must have heard the commotion. "Look, you knew I had a girlfriend back home. You knew I was playing both fields. That was the risk you chose to take. I didn't plan on getting April pregnant but she is. I am going to be a father. I will put my child first. If you can't handle that, then you can leave!"

That was a month ago. Casey hadn't seen Hailey since. Good riddance. The so-called relationship drained him – emotionally, financially, mentally. The girl was so crazy needy that she completely distracted him from him from hockey practice, his studies. Yes! Partying was finally sidelined in favor of ensuring Casey would keep his scholarship and graduate with a degree in criminal justice. Despite working nonstop Casey was the most focused and sane since the break-up with April.

Now, his focus had best not waver. He stood at center rink, staring down the big, burly opponent. Their eyes locked on each other intensely as they waited for the puck to hit the ice. Championship game between fierce rivals – Casey' adrenaline surged more than the days he moonlighted as a vigilante fighting evil ninjas. From the corner of his eye Casey spotted the referee. The few seconds seemed agonizingly long as the world stood still. That was until he heard the puck clink against the ice. Wooden sticks clashed against each other as the battle for the puck ensued. Skates screeched across the ice as the players chased each other, seeking for control over the black object.

As the minutes ticked away the competition grew fiercer. Players sharply cut each other off. Pretty much every player had been body-checked into the wall at some point. Each goal attempt had been blocked or stolen, and when Casey finally made the first goal, the other team matched it. Finally Casey was in possession of the puck again. He sped down the rink weaving through the other team. About halfway down the rink, his peripheral caught a glimpse of a familiar face. Casey shifted his gaze more and confirmed that April was sitting in the stands, about three rows away. Her red hair framed her pale, freckled face. Casey almost had to do a double take to confirm it that it was indeed April.

She never said she was coming.

"Oomph!"

A stick swiped into his skates and Casey crashed face first into the ice. Scrambling to his feet, Casey cursed under his breath as he chased down the player who literally stole the puck from right under him. As the puck thief skated closer to the goal, Casey desperately searched for a way to prevent him from reaching the goal. He couldn't skate fast enough to steal the puck back. Pushing harder, Casey was barely in reach when he pushed his stick out and hooked it around the guy's ankle, forcing him hard onto the ice. Just as quickly as the player hit the ice, he rebounded back up and was charging toward Casey.

"Fucking asshole!" he spat out as he threw his gloves off.

Casey held his ground and kept his gloves on. Determination etched into his facial features as he resolved to not cave into intimidation and dares to initiate a fight. Then reality struck him across the face – literally! The force of the punch combined with the slippery ice knocked Casey down. A hand grabbed him by the back of his uniform as a fist knocked his helmet off and began pummeling his face. The whistle blared menacingly as the referee separate the two opponents. Even though he never threw a punch Casey still found himself in the penalty box but at least his "time out" was shorter. As he skating past April he locked eyes on her and grinned when she flashed a proud smile at him. Locked in his box, Casey anxiously waiting to get back onto the ice.

. . .

"Sabres! Sabres! Sabres!"

The victorious chant rang throughout the locker room. The game was tight but they won; that's all that mattered. Casey discarded his towel. Determined to beat a world record, he dressed swiftly and hoped that April hadn't left the arena yet.

"What's the hurry?" Johnny snuck up from behind causing him to jump at the sound of his voice. "Thought we're all going out to celebrate together."

"Yeah, but I was hoping to catch April before we head out."

A look of questioning and then understanding flashed through Johnny's eyes.

"Oh, I didn't realize she came to the game."

A goofy grin pulled at Casey's lips as he remembered skating by her. "Honestly, I didn't know she was gonna show up. It's the reason I got tripped up on the ice."

Johnny shook his head as he silently chastised the younger man. "Shame on you for losing focus. Better not let the others know."

"Better not tell them," Casey countered as he zipped his pants up and quickly slipped on his jacket. "Catch you guys in a bit!"

Without waiting for a proper good-bye, Casey hoisted his bag over his shoulder and raced out the locker room door. Turning around the corner, Casey's eyes widened as he skidded to a halt, nearly knocking April over.

"Oh God!" April jumped, placing her hand over her heart.

"S-sorry," Casey stammered. "I didn't expect to see you back here. I mean so close to the locker rooms."

April chuckled as Casey struggled to find the right words to say.

"It's fine. I should have texted you." April fidgeted with her fingers a bit, unsure of how to proceed. "It was a really good game out there. Congrats on the win. Though I must say, I'm impressed you didn't swing at that one guy."

Running his fingers through his black locks, Casey flashed a proud smirk. "Yeah, thanks. Guess I must finally be growing up, huh?"

"I guess you are," she replied with a playful congratulatory pat on his shoulder.

As he stared into her blue eyes, Casey couldn't help but let his gaze trace over her body until it settled on her rounded belly. Up to that point, he had only seen her upper torso during the video chats. Not that Casey was not mindful of their current reality it still felt different to visually confirm that a child was indeed growin inside of her.

"How have you been feeling?"

"Better." April even sounded livelier compared to their chats. "I'm eating better. I sometimes feel nauseous but not nearly as much was last month. Think I'm finally outgrowing that phase. Not feeling as tired either. This must be that honeymoon phase I read about before you go back to feeling tired…and fat."

"Have you felt the baby move yet?" Casey resisted the urge to place his hand on her stomach to see if he could. He wasn't even sure if she would even allow him to.

"Not yet…at least I don't think so. Nothing like kicks or jabs. Apparently if the baby moves it might be confused for gas bubbles so I might have but I really have no idea. I sound pretty stupid, don't I?"

"Not at all. Look it's a new experience for you. It's okay to not be sure, but," Casey reached down and placed her hand in his, "I'll be here to learn with you. Everything will be okay, I promise."

April's eyes grew misty as she offered a soft smile. Doubt still visible in her blue orbs.

"What is it, April?"

"I- I just don't know. I want to believe everything will be fine. I just…it's just hard right now. Trying to focus on school and all. It's been hard to concentrate. It's so much easier for you. You don't have to deal with the physical aspects of the pregnancy getting in the way. You can still carry out your life normally. It's not like it interferes with your school work, practice, your girlfriend…"

"Ex-girlfriend," he interrupted.

April stared intently into his eyes as if looking for any evidence to the contrary.

"She was being a bitch about the whole pregnancy thing. Couldn't handle that I would put the baby first so she's gone now."

"I…I'm sorry…."

That was a lie. The hitch in her tone betrayed her words.

"It's fine, really. I didn't need that in my life." Casey released a heavy sigh, a bit tired of having to repeat the sentiment. "I meant it when I said I was completely here for you. That you and the baby would have top priority in my life. I really need you to start believing that."

With shame in her eyes, April lowered her gaze to the ground and offered a slight nod. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Casey pulled her into a hug while gently patting her back. In return, she wrapped her own arms around him and relaxed her muscles.

One way or another April I promise you that I will earn back your trust.