Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

17. Gina

17

Gina

I can’t believe I’m behind the glass, seated between Brighton and Melanie, watching the Bucks play Vegas on home ice. The action is fast, and while I can’t really keep up to what’s going on, not that I’m looking at anyone but Ash, the kids sure are having fun.

Zoe wasn’t too happy when we went back home on Monday morning, and school started up again. If she could have it her way, she’d stay at Ash’s forever. It’s only her and me at home and I think she liked having both Ash and Grant around, as well as Camryn and Tate.

I glance at Camryn, Zoe and Grant standing just to the left of us, banging on the glass. I grin. Grant definitely needs grandkids of his own, and I don’t want to think about how that might never happen for him. Tate is home with a sitter tonight as these games run too late for him, and while they run too late for the girls too, they really wanted to cheer on their favorite players. Naturally, Camryn’s favorite is her father. It was all I could do to get Zoe out of her too big jersey, and get it washed. She tried to wear it to school Monday, but I put my foot down.

It’s okay to wear it to a game. I just don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, even though it could be too late for that. With Mel on the other side of me, Kayce also with a sitter, I have no doubt she picked up on the tension between Ash and me when we all had dinner the other night—and the fact that Zoe adores him.

I am not in the jersey Ash likes me wearing. God, how could I put that on, knowing how he’d slipped it on me that night after the bath, after he’d shared a part of himself with me, and then snuggled me until I fell asleep. Dammit, I’m starting to feel emotional, so I shove my hand into my popcorn to swallow all the crazy things I’m feeling down deep.

“Go Ash, go!” Zoe and Grant scream and pound against the glass. He doesn’t hear them, as his focus is on the game, but Zoe is jumping up and down right beside Camryn who’s screaming for Noah.

Brighton nudges me. “Zoe looks cute in that jersey.”

I nod. “When we stayed overnight, they didn’t have clothes to wear. It’s kind of huge on her, but she refused to take it off.”

“Camryn told me all about it. Sounds like it was a fun night for them.”

“They really enjoy his games room,” I agree, and try to focus on the ice so my friend can’t see how much fun the night was for me too. “They loved the pool table and pinball machine.”

“I bet they did.”

I can feel Mel’s eyes drilling into the back of my head as I turn to face Brighton, working hard to school my features as I redirect the conversation. “I’m glad I could take them for you so you could enjoy the Caribbean.”

“I’m always here to take Zoe if you need a break, or want to go on a trip. You and Ash both missed out. Maybe you two will want to make up for missing the Caribbean.”

I snort at that, even though a trip to the Caribbean with Ash sounds like the most magical adventure ever. “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” I hold out my fingers and start listing the reasons. “The café, staff sickness over the winter, Zoe’s schedule.”

A moment of silence and then Brighton says, “Okay, Gina, we’ve been dying to know what’s going on between you two.”

My heart leaps. Dammit, I was a fool to think I could hide anything from these two?

“Basically, what she’s asking…” Mel begins, and wags her brows. “Did you play in any of his rooms and were there balls involved?”

I burst out laughing, half embarrassed and totally caught off guard by her blatant sexual words. But then I quickly sober and turn to see if Grant heard her. He’s busy laughing with the girls and I’m pretty sure he’s out of earshot. I relax a bit.

“You did not just ask me that?” Heat rushes into my cheeks, despite the coolness in the rink. Damn, I wish I was better at controlling my emotions—being nonchalant—but this is Melanie we’re talking about. A trained psychologist who can see things for what they really are. Even though I have no idea what things really are between Ash and me. Not anymore, anyway. The line is so blurry, I’m going to need bifocals to see it. God, this is getting complicated and that’s the last thing Ash and I ever wanted. Maybe I should just end this…now.

“Oh, I did ask,” Mel says and glances around me to see Brighton, a smug knowing look on her face. She snorts out a laugh. “Forget it, Brighton. She doesn’t need to answer, it’s all over her face.”

Brighton snickers. “I bet there was something all over her face.”

“Ohmigod.” My head rears back as the two women laugh. “Am I in a guys’ locker room right now?” I shake my head. “What is happening?” I glance at the ice. “Marriage.” I roll my eyes and groan. “Your men have corrupted you both.” Honestly though, marriage looks good on them, and maybe I’m a little envious at what they have.

Brighton grins and nudges me. “Yeah and we love it. You should try it sometime.”

Yeah, maybe you should, Gina.

“I’d have to be in a relationship, first.”

“Still not admitting anything out loud, huh?” Mel teases and hits me with her shoulder. “For the record, sex is a form of a relationship. It’s okay, you don’t have to use words. We know what’s going on, and don’t worry, it can be your little secret.”

Brighton leans in. “And ours.”

“And also for the record,” Mel continues. “You two are perfect for each other.”

“Perfect,” Brighton agrees.

“Guys—” I begin.

“You know, I don’t remember the last time I saw Ash this happy. When he was with…” Brighton pauses and cringes. “Well, let’s not say her name out loud. Actually, I haven’t seen him with anyone in a long, long time.”

“Whatever happened last summer in your kitchen,” Mel says with a low whistle. “Must have rocked his world, because that man isn’t looking at any woman but you.”

Just then Noah gets a goal and we all jump to our feet and cheer. Zoe and Camryn are going crazy dancing around like fools, and it’s completely adorable. From the corner of the ice, I spot movement coming our way, and I turn and catch Ash skating right at us, but it’s the way he’s looking at me, and the small, promising grin on his face that steals the air from my lungs, and teases the needy juncture between my legs. He skates up to the glass and bangs on it in front of the girls and they go crazy.

So does my heart.

I sigh, wishing my emotions weren’t on a roller coaster today. Who am I kidding? They’ve been on a roller coaster since he fixed my air conditioner last summer. He’s all I’ve been able to think about this last year, which is why I’ve kept my distance. But those walls shattered when he showed up and helped at the café. Ash Wheeler is anything but an Ash-hole and it’s possible that I could be in a lot of trouble.

When he skates away, but not before casting one last glance my way, we all sit down, and a soft sigh escapes my lips.

“Girl, you got it bad,” Melanie says, and I steal a glance at Grant again, to make sure he can’t hear us.

Brighton nods in agreement. “Real bad.”

I swallow down the lump punching into my throat and stick to my story. “We’re friends.”

“Friends with benefits,” Brighton says, and my gaze flies to hers.

The fight drains out of me, and honestly, I find myself wanting to talk about Ash, wanting to tell these two what’s going on even though we agreed to keep it a secret. “Friends with benefits.” I set my popcorn down. “That’s what we actually agreed on.”

Melanie nods her approval. “About time.”

I nibble my lips and focus back in on the ice, although I’m not seeing much as my mind races. “I have a daughter to consider. Ash and I are just having fun, and I don’t want her to get attached.”

Melanie glances at Zoe. “Looks like it might be too late for that.”

I exhale as my shoulders sag. “Yeah.”

“Too late for you too, huh?” she adds.

“Ash and I want different things,” I tell her, reminding myself how last summer, he was quick to point out that we weren’t a good idea, and again just last weekend when he asked me to come to a game. I said I didn’t want to give anyone the wrong idea about us, he straight up said he didn’t want that either. He’d been betrayed and is too afraid to put himself out there.

You’ve been betrayed too, Gina.

But Ash isn’t like my ex. He’s not hiding anything from me. Right?

“Oh God,” Melanie shrieks and grabs my arm. I turn to her and her focus is on the ice. I gasp as two guys come flying down the ice, passing the puck back and forth. The next thing I know, Ash is moving, liquid lightning, his big body barreling toward the player with the puck and bam, they hit the boards so hard, the whole rink practically vibrates. They both go down, and without realizing it, I stand, my heart in my throat.

The refs skate over, and a second later, Ash is on his feet, his gaze seeking mine, and he gives me a devilish grin. I suck in a fast breath, refilling my collapsed lungs as I sink back into my seat.

“Is it always like this?” I ask, my insides still shaking.

“Always,” Melanie tells me. “You’ll get used to it.”

“You think?”

“Mommy, did you see that?” I take in Zoe’s excitement. “Ash stopped that guy from scoring.”

“I saw it, honey.”

Her eyes shine bright as she hugs her jersey. “Ash is my favorite, Mom.”

Yeah, he’s mine too, kiddo.

Little Miss Camryn—seven going on seventeen—whispers something into Zoe’s ear and my stomach tightens. I’m sure whatever it is she’s saying, it’s not something I’m going to like. Zoe claps her hands, and they both turn back to the glass.

“The guys leave tomorrow morning for Tampa. We should plan a girls’ night out. Go out to a nice quiet dinner, no kids. My treat, Gina. For watching Camryn and Tate.”

“An adult dinner sounds perfect, but I don’t have a sitter.”

“I can watch Zoe.”

My head swivels toward Grant and I find him staring at me with a big smile on his face. How long has he been listening? Or more importantly, what did he hear? Before I can tell him I don’t think it’s a great idea, he bends and takes Zoe’s hands in his and starts swinging them. “Want to hang out with me this weekend? We can play that old board game Trouble that you love.”

“Where I pop the six,” she screams with joy.

“Yeah, we can make popcorn and watch movies. It will be fun.”

“Can I, Mom, can I?”

Zoe looks over the moon excited, and while I think Grant is a great grandfatherly influence on her, I’m not sure spending so much time with him is wise. When it’s over between Ash and me, it’s going to kill her to have him torn from her life, but…dear God, how can I say no. They are both so excited and I’m not sure who needs this more, Zoe or Grant?

“Looks like that’s all settled,” Brighton says, a cheeky grin on her face. When I frown, she continues. “It’s going to be okay, Gina. Even if it doesn’t work out with you and Ash, there’s no reason Grant can’t be in her life. Look at what’s happening with little Tyler. Conner’s late brother had an affair, and the child was kept secret, now Conner’s parents have taken Tyler under their wing and are giving him everything he needs.”

“He’s family, though. That’s different.”

“Okay, then look at me,” Melanie says. “Brady and I don’t have family to speak of, and Conner’s parents are now Kayce’s official grandparents. They took him and us in too. We are in no way related.”

“Darci and Bill are really good people.”

Mel smiles. “We can all be one big happy family, you know.”

My stomach squeezes tight. The truth is, that’s all I ever wanted. Zoe has two siblings out there somewhere that she’ll never know. If she ever does find out when she’s older, will she hate me for not telling her? God, I hope that never happens.

“I know, but I’m not a WAG. I’m just friends with you guys. I think that’s different.”

“You’re sleeping with Ash, aren’t you?”

“Shh,” I whisper and my head swivels back to Grant to find him looking back at the ice with the girls.

“Yes, but it’s only temporary.”

“Doesn’t matter.” They both squish into me. “You’re one of us. We’re a big happy family, Gina.”

My heart wobbles a little—okay, a lot. After I met Melanie on the beach that day, my life changed for the better. I don’t want to do anything to screw it up, and not to be crude, but screwing Ash could be doing just that.

“But…”

“Stop overthinking,” the psychologist beside me says.

“But that’s my superpower,” I tell her and we all laugh.

“Here’s my unsolicited advice. Have some fun. Let your little girl find what she needs in Grant, and at the end of the day, there’s no reason he can’t be in her life, no matter how it ends with you and Ash.”

Do you want it to end with you and Ash, Gina.

“She can even start calling him Uncle Ash, like all the other kids do.” I blink as I let that sink in, and Brighton squeezes my hand. “You’ll always be in this family, Gina. Ash will always be in yours and Zoe’s life. Maybe just not in yours in the same capacity as he’s been lately. Although I’m not sure anything has to change.”

My stomach knots because I want it in the same capacity, and admitting that is huge for me. After Lucian’s betrayal, I’ve been too scared to put myself out there, too scared to open up only to get hurt, for my daughter to get hurt.

“Okay,” I say and smile at Melanie. “I am going to stop overthinking and just have some fun.”

“Now tell me, are the rumors true?” Melanie wags her eyebrows.

“What rumors?” I ask, my stomach squeezing. I know his ex wrote some nasty things about him, but he said it wasn’t talked about amongst the group.

Melanie’s eyes gleam with mischief. “When he fixed your refrigerator last year, Dani mentioned he brought a big tool. Just how big was it?”

Ohmigod!