The Hockey Player’s Secret Baby: Bad Games, #2

By Ava Walsh

He can never know! My secret will destroy him...

 

Chelsey and Hannah practically grew up together. They were best friends, sure, but there was one secret Chelsey kept to herself: her feelings for Hannah's older brother, Aron Keels...

 

Chelsey believed that she could keep her feelings for Aron in check, save her friendship and move on with her life. That, is until college ended, and Aron was all set to leave town. He had been scouted and picked up by an NHL team in Los Angeles.

 

On his last night in town, at the end of a drunken party, Chelsey and Aron fell into bed together. And then he left...

 

Three years later, Chelsey is still in the same town, working at the same hair salon where she worked while at college. She has cut off all ties with her family and her friends, including Hannah. She lives a life of seclusion in a cramped apartment, trying to make ends meet.

 

When Hannah walks into the salon, she is surprised to find Chelsey still works there… Then she delivers Chelsey some news—her celebrity brother is going to be in town as well, attending their parents' thirtieth anniversary party.

 

How will Chelsey continue to keep her life a secret, now that everything she is protecting seems to be unravelling?

 

This is a stand-alone story with an HEA, so no cliff-hangers. Story contains mature themes and language and is intended for 18+ readers only.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heartbeat Reads
• Release date: Apr 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201529444

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Copyright © 2020 by Heartbeat Reads - All rights reserved.

In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

The Hockey Player's Secret Baby

By: Ava Walsh

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Chelsey

Chapter Two - Aaron

Chapter Three - Chelsey

Chapter Four - Aaron

Chapter Five - Chelsey

Chapter Six - Aaron

Chapter Seven - Aaron

Chapter Eight - Chelsey

Chapter Nine - Aaron

Chapter Ten - Chelsey

Chapter Eleven - Aaron

Chapter Twelve - Chelsey

Chapter Thirteen - Aaron

Chapter Fourteen - Chelsey

Chapter Fifteen - Aaron

Chapter Sixteen - Chelsey

Chapter Seventeen - Aaron

Chapter Eighteen - Chelsey

Chapter Nineteen - Aaron

Chapter Twenty - Chelsey

Chapter Twenty One - Aaron

Chapter Twenty Two - Chelsey

Chapter Twenty Three - Aaron

Chapter Twenty Four - Chelsey

About Ava Walsh

Books by Ava Walsh

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Chapter One - Chelsey

Chelsey was tired of smiling, especially since she also had to concentrate. People entrusted their hair into her hands, literally, and it was her job to give them a fabulous new look which they might tip her extra for. She was holding the large oval mirror behind her current customer’s head and also trying to keep the usual fake smile plastered on her face.

That is gorgeous! Exactly the way I wanted, the woman with the unmanageable cowlick on her forehead turned in her seat to say. Chelsey continued smiling, nodding as she plugged in the blow dryer. The woman sat back again and, from the corner of her eye, Chelsey noticed her digging around in her purse. Great success! She was going to get the tip.

I have to leave in like fifteen minutes, Monica, Chelsey said, tapping the floor manager’s shoulder after her customer had left.

But your shift doesn’t end for another half an hour, Chelsey. Monica whipped around, passing a quick look to the clock on the wall.

I know, but the sitter texted me to say that she can’t stay for much longer. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll make up for it soon, Chelsey said, pouting her lips in the hopes that she might be able to charm Monica just as successfully as she did her clients.

I’ve already signed on one more customer for you. So you’ll have to do that one. Apparently it’s just a trim, Monica said, shaking her head indulgently.

"It’s never just a trim. Thanks anyway, Monica," Chelsey said, walking away from her with an accomplished smile on her face.

She stood waiting behind the high chair, staring at herself in the mirror. Her natural poker-straight hair was cut to a manageable length right at her shoulders, her face looked pale and overworked, she hadn’t had time to touch up her pink-tinted lipstick since the morning and her clothes were covered in hair and chemical products.

Her next customer brushed past her and sat down with a thump on the chair in front of her, snapping her out of her self-pitying thoughts.

How are we today? she automatically chirped. It was a strange, robotic voice that turned on without any initiation in front of customers. She turned to pick up the robe and tie it around the customer’s neck but when she looked up into the mirror, her hands froze and she nearly dropped the pair of scissors and comb from her hands.

The girl was staring at her in the mirror as well, a slow grin forming on her face.

Chelsey? she shrieked, and she whipped around in her chair to look up at her directly.

Hannah. Chelsey couldn’t smile any longer. Her pretend face had long disappeared.

How crazy is this? Hannah jumped out of the chair and flung her arms around Chelsey’s neck, nearly strangling her.

"It is crazy. What are you doing here? Are you back in town?" Chelsey managed to ask, even though she could feel her heart racing in her throat and her palms growing sweaty. She hadn’t seen Hannah in three years. She didn’t want to see Hannah. She wished she could forget that they had ever been best friends.

"Well, not back back. Just for a week, actually," Hannah said, finally pulling away from her, giving her some space to breathe.

How come? Chelsey asked, realizing that she still had the scissors in her hands, dangerously pointing towards herself in fact. She placed them on the counter in front of the mirror.

It’s my parents’ thirtieth anniversary. They’re throwing a big party. Aaron is flying in as well. Fingers crossed. Hannah giggled and Chelsey tried to smile. I had no idea you were still in town, she added.

I had to come back, Chelsey said, probably too quickly, and then stole a look at the clock.

Why? I thought you were liking New York, Hannah probed.

My mother...she got ill and I had to come back and take care of her, Chelsey said, and ran her hands through her hair. She could feel herself blushing, and her nerves were giving way to full-blown panic. Hannah clucked her tongue in sympathy.

Is that why you stopped replying to my emails and texts? I’m so sorry, Chelsey. I had no idea. Hannah looked genuinely upset and sympathetic, and Chelsey immediately felt guilty for lying.

She’s alright now, though. So, all is well. Chelsey tried to shrug it off with a nervous laugh.

So you’re working here now? Hannah asked. Chelsey took a deep breath and smiled her widest fake smile.

Only temporarily, she said, and started to take a few paces back.

Well, that’s exciting, then. It’s been years since you gave me a haircut. Remember when you used to practice on my hair, and sometimes even on Aaron’s? Hannah giggled again, but Chelsey was slowly backing away from her now.

I do remember. But...it’s just that I have to go now. Something’s come up, Chelsey said, interrupting Hannah’s laugh. She had backed away from Hannah far enough to be able to reach the coat rack on the wall, where she turned to pick up her jacket and bag.

Are you serious? You can’t be serious. I just got here, Chelsey. What’s wrong? She could hear Hannah’s voice behind her as she ran towards the door, pushed it open and hurried out without turning to inform Monica that she was leaving. She wanted to get as far away from Hannah as possible, as far away from the mention of Aaron’s name as possible. The guy who had ruined the possibility of continuing a friendship with Hannah. The guy who she thought she was in love with. The guy she could never get over.

Chelsey arrived at her car, jerked the door open and sat down with a thump. She breathed out deeply and tried