Chapter 19

Emily's POV

"Yeah, there's something I wanted to talk about, too," Jack replied, catching me off guard. "I think right after the Games, we should get married. I don't wanna wait. I know we kinda rushed into the whole engagement thing, but I figure we're on the fast track anyway."

"Why? Are you pregnant too?" I muttered. I thought he hadn't heard it, but the look of shock on his face told me he did.

"Preg...pregnant?" he stuttered. "You mean like 'with child'?"

"Yep, like that," I replied, trying to gauge his next response.

"So...then I guess marriage sooner rather than later is the way to go," Jack answered in an almost hushed tone.

"Baby, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean we have to get married," I told him, trying to maintain my composure. "We could have the baby first then get married."

He scoffed at this oh so crazy idea. "We can't have a kid before we get married," he stated. "My mother would probably drop dead at the thought."

"Well, I don't want that to happen," I said. "But, I don't want to rush into something again just because of this situation."

"I need to think about this," Jack replied, rising from the bed. He picked his coat up from the floor and began to pull it on.

"Jack, don't leave," I pleaded.

"No, I just gotta clear my head a bit," he replied, lightly kissing my cheek before walking out of my room.

Great. Just great.

I seriously thought this was it this time. Now, who knows when he'll talk to me again.

I couldn't sleep that night. The thought of Jack and me not together scared me. The thought of me having to raise a baby on my own terrified me.

The next day I sat in my office, trying my damnedest to get something, anything, done. Whoever knocked at my door obviously had other designs.

"Come in," I called, hoping it was Jack.

"Hi, Herb told me to find Emily Morrison," the blond haired boy in front of me stated. "And I'm really hoping you're her."

"Because he hired me a male stripper?" I asked dryly.

"Umm, no, I don't think so," the boy nervously replied. "Herb just told me to find you. I'm Tim Harrer."

"Oh, you were a Gopher, right?" I asked, not waiting for an answer. "Go the locker room and get changed for practice. I think Herb wants you on the team."

Wow, that was some great BSing on my part. Why is Herb bringing boys in now?

"Thanks, Emily," Tim replied. "See you at practice."

I was actually waiting for the wink after that. I couldn't tell if this kid was trying to be smooth with me or what. But if he blanantly hits on me, I may have to smack him.

A few minutes later, I retreated to the bench to watch the boys warm up.

"Rizzo's makin dinner tonight boys!" Pav announced. "You know we're gettin some meatballs."

"Hey, you keep eatin them, I'll keep makin them," Rizzo stated, received a chorus of laughs from the guys.

God, Jack looks good when he laughs.

"I think you guys are insane to eat that stuff," Bah said to no one in particular. "No offense, Rizzo."

Again the laughter and again the Jack looking hot. I literally had trouble taking my eyes off of him.

"Hey, Emily," Tim greeted as he hopped over the wall and onto the ice. I watched him skate over to Herb and Craig, while the players, each on one knee, glared at Tim and wondered what his purpose was for being here.

"Who the hell is that?" Rizzo asked, mixed emotions filling his voice.

"What's he doin here?" Bah asked, annoyed at this new person intruding on their happy hockey lives.

"Hey Bah, who's that guy?" Jimmy inquired, trying to keep his voice down. Oh, the Irish whisper.

"Timmy Harrer. Plays for the Gophers. He's having a hell of a year," Bah answered.

"What the hell's he doing here?" Jimmy echoed Bah's question from before.

"No idea," was the only answer they got.

Jack shot me a look that could only ask "Did you know about this?"

I shrugged my shoulders and walked away, not wanting to see what this practice would look like.

After a long afternoon of hiding in my office, I walked out to see Timmy exit the locker room.

"Everybody decent in there?" I inquired as we passed one another.

"Yep, see you later," he replied.

"Chick entering! Pull up the pants!" I called, before opening the door.

"Hey Emmy," Buzzy greeted me, kissing my cheek.

"Hey, what's going on with Harrer?" I asked, sitting near, but not next to, Jack.

"Thought you might now," Buzz muttered.

"This is ridiculous," Rammer stated. So, he does speak.

"Don't worry about it, Rammer," Rizzo replied in that calm, cool tone he uses when he's afraid of what may happen. "It'll be all right. Right OC?"

"Herb's not gonna do a damn thing boys. He's just messing with our minds," my cocky fiance replied.

"Oh, you think so, Jack?" Jimmy quipped, getting a smile from Jack.

"Yeah, I do," he replied, the smile broadening.

"Well, we all know Herb made the Olympic team back in '60," Jim started.

"So?" How could Jack not see where this was going?

"So a week before the games, Coach Reilly calls him in his office and sends him home," Jimmy finished.

"What's your point?" Jack questioned. Is he playing dumb or just trying to get a rise out of the goalie?

"My point, Jack is that one week later Herb's home on his couch with his old man watching his team win the gold medal. Come that close and get nothing. He'll do whatever it takes. That's my point."

The boys in the locker room fell silent, all seemingly deep in thought. Jack was first to speak.

"Well, I'm getting out of here. No use sitting around wondering what the hell Herb's gonna do. Em, you coming?"

"Yeah, I'll see you in a minute," I replied.