Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

15. Gina

15

Gina

“ M ommy, can we please stay at Ash’s.”

Grant coughs again, and it concerns me that it’s only coming on at night. I glance at Ash. Perhaps he doesn’t want his house full again.

“I…if…” I begin.

“You should probably stay the night again,” Mel suggests and my gaze flies to hers. “Grant is looking a bit pale.”

“Do you think we should take him to a clinic?” Ash asks, as he helps his dad into his coat.

“No, no clinic,” Grant grumps. “I just need some more of Gina’s medicine, and for her to tuck me in. That helped last night and of course, knowing she’s close by if anything happens helps put me at ease.” He turns from me. Wait, did he just exchange a look with Melanie? Do they know something I don’t?

“It’s your call, Gina.” Ash touches my arm. “If you need to get the kids home, I understand.”

I frown, and work out the logistics in my head. “I did bring clothes for them, so they do have something to sleep in.”

“I want to sleep in Ash’s jersey again,” Zoe informs me with a pout.

I glance down as I consider it. “I am off work tomorrow. I suppose we could all get up a little earlier, and I could run Zoe into school, and then head?—”

“How about I take Camryn and Tate back to Sparrow Springs? I’m sure Dad will be feeling better, and would like to get out for a drive.”

“I’ll probably feel better in the morning. Just need some meds,” he tells me.

“If it gives you comfort for me to stay, then I’ll stay.”

“I think that’s for the best,” Melanie agrees quietly, and puts her hand on my shoulder. “We’re right here if you need anything.”

“Okay, thanks.” I give Mel and Brady a hug and we all head outside. The kids are excited for another sleepover and honestly, I hate to admit it, but I am too. I should be putting a measure of separation between Ash and me even though we agreed to extend this friends with benefits relationship, but I just don’t have the strength to do it. Come tomorrow, though, when I’m back at my own place, I’m sure things will be a little easier.

After we get the kids into one vehicle and Ash and Grant into the other, we drive the short distance to Ash’s place. He left the outside lights on and there’s such a warmth about his place. I can see why the kids like it here. I like it here too.

“Okay, little ones, we wash up and then it’s straight off to bed. School in the morning.”

“No school,” Tate mutters, barely able to keep his eyes open.

“No, you don’t go to school, but you must be happy to see your mom and dad and Mabel.”

He hugs the stuffed toy in his hand. “I miss Mabel.”

Mabel was kenneled this week while they were away. I couldn’t take her. I have no space for a dog that big and Zoe is after me for a pet as it is. If she got used to having Mabel around, I’d never hear the end of it.

If she got used to having Ash around…

Grant gets out of the car ahead of us in the driveway and worry zings through me. Maybe tomorrow he should go to his doctor or a clinic for a checkup. I can be here tonight, but this is my last night. I’m back at my place tomorrow and Ash is back to hockey, and there won’t be anyone around if anything happens. I make a note to talk to Ash about it.

As the kids excitedly head up to the house, a smile touches my lips. Everyone is so happy. Heck, I am happy too. It was so much fun getting out tonight and having dinner with friends. Having Ash and his dad there. There was a strange kind of fullness in my heart that I haven’t felt since…ever.

I shake my head. I might hate what Lucian did to me, but what I got out of the deal in the end is priceless. I haven’t checked his socials in years. A part of me suddenly wonders if his wife ever found out, and if she did, would she have stayed. They have two kids together, and I just couldn’t be a homewrecker.

As those dark thoughts invade, I push them down, and as Grant opens the door to the house and the kids pile in, Ash waits for me. With no one looking, he drags me to him in the dark, and lightly kisses me.

“You sure you don’t mind staying?”

“No, not if Grant needs me.”

“What if I said I needed you?”

My heart jumps into my throat. Do I want him to need me? I kind of think I do, but of course he only means sexually. His arms circle my body, and when I feel his swelling cock against my stomach, it confirms that theory. While I like that he needs me physically, I wasn’t hoping that he needed me other ways too, was I?

God, this is so not going to be good for my mental health when it’s over.

“Mommy, are you coming?”

I break away fast from Ash, and hurry up the walkway. Zoe has a grin on her face when I enter the house. “Mommy, were you kissing Ash?” she asks.

Oh, God.

“No, I had something in my eye, and he was helping me get it out.” I blink to really pull it off, and then say, “I think we got it.” She stares at me for a moment, like she’s not sure she believes that or not, and I put my hands on her shoulder, and turn her around. “Bedtime, young lady.”

She mumbles something about wishes, and hurries up the stairs. I follow them up and glance in to find Grant in his room.

“Are you going to come check on me?” he asks, his voice sounding weak. It’s odd, he had so much fun tonight, and even ate seconds. He laughed with the kids, played games, and looked like he was having the time of his life.

“Let me get the kids settled then I’ll be right in.” I back out of the room and hit a wall of muscle. I turn to find Ash standing over me, and as I breathe in his arousing scent, my entire body craves his touch. “Didn’t see you there.” I laugh, and I hope it doesn’t come out sounding as aroused as I feel. “Hard to miss a mountain.”

He reaches around me and closes his dad’s door and his closeness continues to mess with me. “I think Grant should see a doctor tomorrow.”

“He won’t go.” I open my mouth about to protest and he exhales loudly. “Gina, I hate to say this. I hate to even think it, and would hate myself if anything happened to him….” A pause and then, “But I think he’s faking.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Did you see him tonight?” I nod. “The man couldn’t have been happier. He’s already in love with your daughter, Camryn and Tate, and I think…”

“Ohmigod, he’s matchmaking. He’s trying to get me to stay here, because he’s trying to?—”

“Marry us off and have the family he’s always wanted.”

“He’s…he’s…he’s been playing with us.” Even though that’s wrong, it sort of breaks my heart a bit. I can see how much he adores the kids, and they adore him too.

“I think so. But what if I’m wrong?”

I consider all his ailments, and how they come and go. “I actually don’t think you are.”

He relaxes a bit, his shoulders drooping. “Good.” Big fingers rake through his hair. “I always knew he was a stubborn bastard. I just never knew he was a sneaky one too.”

“Well, I think we should play a game with him too.”

He cocks his head. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’m going to think on it. First, I need to get the kids settled.” I walk into the room and sort through the box of books as I wait for the kids to finish brushing their teeth. Ash hangs at the door, moving as each child comes barreling in.

“I want Ash to read to us again,” Zoe insists.

I eye him and he just nods his head. Once again, we’re all piled into the big bed, and it’s crazy how much I like it. He reads to the kids and I find my eyes drifting shut. It’s been such a long day, I could fall asleep right here. Once he finishes the story, I open my eyes and find him watching me, a new kind of concern about him.

I look at the three sleeping children beside me and force myself to get up. I have to check on Grant, and I’d love some quiet time with Ash, as well. I just wish I wasn’t so darn tired. The early morning at the café wore me out. Thank goodness things are back to my normal routine tomorrow.

In the hall, Ash pulls the bedroom door almost shut. He puts his finger under my chin and lifts my eyes, his gaze carefully assessing me. “You’re tired.”

“I’m okay.” I yawn, my actions defying my words.

“No, you’re not fine. You need sleep.”

“Actually, I need a bit of relaxation before sleep.” A scraping sound reaches my ears, and I glance toward Grant’s room. “Is he moving furniture in there?”

Ash rolls his eyes. “I have no idea. Let’s go check on him.”

Since I left my mom bag in his room last night, we head in and he hurries back to his bed. I glance around, note the lamp is turned on beside his bed, and a towel near it, but can’t figure out what he was doing.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“Not so great. I think I have a fever.” Wait, he wasn’t using the lamp and towel to make his forehead hot, was he? I touch his head and it’s scalding. My God, the man is going to great lengths to keep me here. It’s kind of adorable, really, and I like him as much as he likes me.

“Is it okay if I take your temperature?”

“Okay.” He seems to be proud of himself. “I’m pretty sure I have a fever.”

I reach into my bag. “Oh no.”

“What is it?” Ash asks, and looks into the bag with me. “My thermometer seems to be broken. I guess I’ll have to use the rectal one.” I pull out a thermometer, that is not for the rectum, but I assume Grant wouldn’t know the difference. “If you want to just?—”

“You’re not using no damn rectal thermometer on me. Just give me some of those meds you gave me last night and I’m sure I’ll be right as rain.”

“Oh, no that wouldn’t be responsible of me.”

“I didn’t have a fever last night and you gave me meds.”

“I gave you something for your nausea.”

“Oh, right, well I have that again.”

I hold the thermometer up. “First, we check your temperature.”

Grant’s horrified gaze goes back and forth between the two of us, and when I can no longer hold in a chuckle as he tries to get out of this, his shoulders sag.

“You two…” He shakes his head. “I should have known.”

“Yeah, well I was pretty sure I knew what you were up to all along.”

He grins like a child who’d gotten their own way. “Well, it’s too late for Gina to go home now. The kids are asleep.”

I fold my arms and cock my head in challenge. “I can wake them.”

He frowns. “The roads are bad.”

I glance out the window. “It’s clear out there. No snow, no ice.”

Grumbles come from the depths of his throat, and then he puts his hand on his stomach. “I don’t feel great.”

I burst out laughing. “Really, Grant?”

“Okay fine. Is it so wrong that I think you two are perfect for each other?”

“Dad,” Ash begins. “You can’t fake being sick and you can’t be interfering in my life like this. I’m a grown man. Who I see or don’t see is up to me. We’ve had this discussion. You know where I stand on relationships.”

Grant grumbles something under his breath. “Dad,” Ash warns again and casts me a fast glance. From his deep frown, whatever it was his father said, Ash did not like.

“If you would have listened to me, things would have been different. You wouldn’t be so…so…blind to what’s right in front of you.” Grant crosses his arms. “Get the light on the way out, will you.” I don’t miss the small smile he gives me, and I can’t help but smile back.

I pat his arm. “Get some sleep and if you do feel ill and need me, just give a shout.”

“You’re one of the good ones, Gina,” he tells me, and Ash just shakes his head.

“I like you too, Grant. Now get some rest. The kids will be up early and making noise.”

I pull his blankets up as I fight a yawn. “Looks like you should be turning in too,” Grant murmurs. “The room beside me is closer. You’ll be able to hear me better from there.”

“Are you still…” Ash shakes his head and putting an end to Grant’s antics, he says, “Goodnight.”

We leave his room, and out in the hall, I make my way toward the stairs. Perhaps a glass of wine will help me wind down, but Ash seems to have a different idea.

“Come with me.”

He takes my hand, his fingers warm as they engulf mine, and guides me to his bedroom. I arch a brow when I take in his bed. “In there.” He points to the ensuite.

“You want me to go to the bathroom?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t have?—”

He picks me up and carries me in, setting me on his counter. I’m a little shocked at his caveman moves, not that I’m opposed to them. I kind of like not having to make all the decisions all the time. Two steps take him to his gigantic tub, and he bends to turn it on.

“This should make bubbles.” He shows me a shower gel. “Eucalyptus. Do you like that?”

“I love it.”

He nods and my heart wobbles a bit as he squirts it into the running water, and bubbles form. “You get in. I’ll be back with a glass of wine for you. Then I’m putting you to bed.”

He’s not going to get a fight from me, and what he’s suggesting sounds perfectly acceptable, and spectacularly delightful. He lifts me from the counter and I’m a rag doll in his arms.

I sigh, and start undressing as he disappears. I honestly can’t believe this man ran a bath for me and is getting me wine. Not only that, but he’s so good with the kids, taking them sledding, skating, playing board games, reading bedtime stories, and he treats his father so well.

Speaking of his father.

I slip into the bubbly water and breathe in the delicious scent as Grant’s parting words rumble around in my brain. What did he mean when he said: If you would have listened to me .

What didn’t Ash listen to? I stretch out and briefly close my eyes as I bask in the heat, and me-time, which I don’t get very often, as I consider Grant’s words.

“Hey,” Ash murmurs quietly as he comes back with the glass of wine and the jersey I wore last night. I sit up and gratefully take the stemmed glass and as I sip it, and look into his blue eyes, he angles his head, his gaze moving over my face, reading me. He sighs. “You really want to get into it?”