Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

21. Gina

21

Gina

I t’s Saturday morning, Ash has a game tonight that I can’t wait to watch, and with a full staff, I don’t have to go downstairs to work. Voices from the kitchen pull me awake and I stretch to see that it’s still early.

Pulling on yoga pants and a big, oversized sweater, I make a quick trip to the bathroom and then make my way down the hall. It’s crazy. On school days, Zoe complains about getting out of bed early, on weekends she can’t get up early enough.

I stop and stand just outside the kitchen archway to listen to the exchange between Zoe and Grant. Wrapping my arms around myself, I hug tight as my heart nearly explodes in my chest. My God, Zoe is absolutely crazy about Grant, and vice versa. It does give me a measure of comfort to know he’ll always be in her life. I’m glad Ash assured me of that.

Honestly, nothing about my daughter calling my secret boyfriend’s father grandpa is conventional, and some might think it’s strange, but it’s growing on me fast. Crazy, considering how worried I was about protecting Zoe from any kind of relationship with someone who wasn’t family. I’ve come to realize that we are a part of the hockey family and I need this in my life as much as my daughter does.

Boyfriend.

Wait, did you just call Ash your boyfriend, girl?

My God, I did. I truly did, and I’m not mad at myself about that.

“Grandpa, not like that. You’re stirring too much. I won’t get lumps that way.”

Her words prompt me into action. “What’s happening in here?”

“Mommy, Mommy,” Zoe screeches, and I press my finger to my lips.

“Inside voice, honey.”

“We’re making pancakes and then me and Grandpa are going to watch all the cartoons.” She offers me a bright-eyed look. “You can watch with us.”

I like to limit her TV time, but shut my mouth when I see the big grin spreading across ‘Grandpa’s’ face.

“That is going to be a great morning.”

“If you have any errands to run, or anything you need to do, I can watch Zoe.” Grant stops stirring the batter, and pulls a spatula from the container on the counter. “We had fun last night, didn’t we, Zoe?”

“We did. Mommy, we played board games and had popcorn.” She laughs hysterically. “Grandpa couldn’t pop a six at all, and I won the game.”

“What can I say?” He throws his hands up in defeat. “The dice doesn’t like me.”

“Oh, Grandpa, you’re silly.”

I breathe deeply and work really freaking hard to swallow down the lump punching into my throat, and when tears begin to press against the backs of my eyes, I go in search of coffee.

“I really appreciate you watching her, Grant.”

“No problem at all.”

“Coffee?”

He checks his cup. “I’m good for now.” Switching gears, he asks, “Are you going to watch the game tonight?”

“I want to watch Ash play tonight,” Zoe pipes in. As Grant takes a drink of his coffee, she mimics him and reaches for her juice to take a big gulp.

“I’ll record it for you.” I tap her nose. Pouting, like she’s about to protest, I add, “You’ve had enough late nights lately.”

I toss a pod into the coffee machine and get it brewing. “Yes, I’m going to watch the game tonight.” Until I moved here, I never watched hockey.

Oh, and why are you watching it now?

Because I’m friends with numerous WAGs.

Oh, puleeze.

Okay, fine. It’s because I’m in love the with the star defenseman.

“You getting together with the girls to watch?” Before I can answer, he gives an easy shrug and continues. “You can if you want. I can stay with Zoe again.”

“They did mention all getting together at Brighton’s for game night. While that sounds nice, I’m up for a night in.” I glance out the kitchen window. “I don’t love being on the roads late at night.”

He frowns and looks down. “How is this, Zoe?” he holds the batter out. “Enough lumps for you?”

She peers into the bowl and holds her hand up for a high five. As they slap hands, thick as thieves, I can’t help but laugh at their antics.

I grab the milk from the fridge and set a frying pan on the stove. “Are you watching the game?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

I glance out the window again, and for the briefest of seconds, I’m sure someone is in my yard. I lean forward and peer outside, but don’t see anything. Maybe it was an animal. Last week the garbage cans were knocked over, and I’m betting on hungry racoons.

“If you were serious about watching Zoe for a bit, I wouldn’t mind running some errands.” Normally I’d take her. Today it’s clear she’d rather hang out with Grant.

He gives me a big smile. “Not a problem at all. We have a morning of cartoons to watch. It looks like it might be a nice day, so maybe we can get out for a walk too. Do you want to go for a walk, Zoe?”

“Can we go to the playground?”

“Sure.”

These two are killing me. “If we’re going to watch the game, I need to go to the grocery store to get all the best snacks for us.”

He stares at me for a second, and his smile widens when understanding hits. “I make a mean pizza.”

Zoe throws her hands out. “I love pizza.”

I grab a notepad and pen. “I’ll make a list.”

“I usually buy the dough from Bucky’s down on Tremont.”

“I actually make a mean crust,” I tell him.

He nods his approval. “Then all we need is sauce, and lots of pepperoni, and cheese.”

I eye him, and the big grin he’s giving me. “Wait, is pizza on your diet?” The man does have heart disease, and I’m not about to do anything to put him in harm’s way.

“Of course.”

I grab my coffee when it beeps and take a much-needed drink. “Do I have to ask Ash about that?” Why is it that I like saying his name.

Grant gives me a dismissive wave. “We don’t want to bother him on game day, now do we, love?”

Love? Okay, the man is buttering me up and that tells me all I need to know. But hey, if he’s good enough to watch Zoe, he deserves pizza. I just plan to buy some plant-based deli meats instead of the ones that are basically nitrates holding hands.

“Okay, are you ready to cook this?” he asks Zoe, and it amazes me how he pulls her chair over next to the counter. Ash did the exact same thing with her and I take that moment to envision a young Ash and his dad cooking together.

“What was Ash like as a kid?” I ask. Funny, I never thought I’d be talking to Ash’s father about Ash’s childhood.

“He was a good boy, Gina.” He beams at me with pride. “Had to take on too much responsibility, I will say that.”

“I don’t think it hurt him at all.”

“No, but we only want what’s best for our kids, and I didn’t love that he had to be so responsible at such a young age.”

“I understand that.”

He sprays oil into the pan, and tosses me a look of understanding. “I know you do. You and me. We’re not so different, are we?”

“No, not so different at all.” A week ago, I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m really glad he stopped at the café that day.

I lean against the counter as Zoe climbs off her chair and runs to the fridge to get the syrup and fresh fruit. Yes, she’s been eating too many pancakes, but at least she’s getting fruit into her.

“Tell me more about Ash when he was a kid.”

“Well, there was that one time that he nearly burnt down his school.”

My mouth falls open. “No way.”

Grant laughs, and nods. “Unfortunately, yes.” He lifts his pancake slightly and checks the bottom. “Do you want one?”

I wave my hand. “No, coffee is good for me. I’ll grab something later.” I fall quiet and he continues to tell me stories about Ash, as he finishes up the pancake and pulls Zoe’s chair back to the table. Grant and I laugh over stories, which I love hearing, until he gets his own pancake made, and joins Zoe at the table.

Zoe holds a piece of her pancake out. “This lump is for you, Grandpa.”

“Kiddo,” he begins. “This last week, I’ve gotten more than I ever could have wished for.”

Zoe beams up at him. “Did I tell you Ash is bringing me back a present?”

He laughs and takes a sip of his coffee. “Oh, only about two hundred times.”

As they eat, and knowing I’m not really needed here, I finish jotting down the groceries I need, take the last sip of my coffee and check the time. “Okay, I should shower and get going.” I kiss Zoe on the head. “You have fun and be good. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

He holds up his phone. “I got your number.”

As I head back to my room, my mind goes back to last night’s conversation with Ash. I don’t really think he had a bunny calling him, even though I do know the rumors about girls flocking to the hotels of the visiting team when they’re in town for a game. I’m not sure why I even thought that about Ash. He’s been with me every moment when he’s here.

Ah, but he’s not here now, is he?

I shut down that inner voice that likes to challenge me and remind me of my past mistakes.

In my bedroom, I grab some clean clothes and I’m about to head to the shower when I catch sight of my laptop. My heart beats a bit faster as I look at it. Should I? Ugh. I don’t normally go on social media. Today however, with curiosity getting the better of me, I pick it up, and carry it to my bed.

The sound of cartoons in the other room blasts through the house. With no one paying any attention to what I’m doing, I peel my laptop open, and tap on a couple of social media apps. I do a search of Ash’s name and the second I see pictures of Zoe in his arms, ones I didn’t see last night on Brighton’s phone, an uneasy knot tightens in my stomach.

I scroll, going down a rabbit hole that can only fill with dirt and suffocate me, yet here I am doing it anyway. My heart beats faster at the clear images of my face, and I don’t know what to think at the captions calling me Ash Wheeler’s new mystery woman. In other posts, my name is right there, for all to see. Someone did their homework, and fast.

I swallow, unable to help it but I feel like my privacy has been violated. God. It was just last year when Maeve had a stalker. It was horrifying for her. Not that I think I’m going to have a stalker from all this. But still…

I come across old posts from a woman named Liza, and instantly know it’s Ash’s old girlfriend. My God, she’s gorgeous and younger than me. Old lady mother things. What the hell is Ash doing, tied down single mom, when he can be with a woman like her? Although she was horrible to him, I have no doubt there are many more gorgeous young things who’d give a kidney to be with Boston Bucks star defenseman. My stomach churns as I read the vile things she’s said about Ash. My feed refreshes and a new post from Liza pops up. Wow, she’s all over this. I guess she must think it’s going to bring more attention to her. Playing the victim is one surefire way to get people on your side.

I lean in and when I see that she’s sending a warning out to the mystery lady—me—anger floods my veins. Hating all the negativity, I slam my laptop shut, and work to erase all I’ve read from my brain. Not that I think that’s possible.

Darting to the bathroom, I quickly shower and dress, needing to get outside. Maybe the fresh air will help clear the rest of the vileness from my thoughts. Once I’m ready, I head to the living room, and check in with Zoe and Grant again before leaving.

As they laugh their butts off at the silly cartoon, I make my way downstairs to the café to make sure I’m not needed. After chatting with the staff and seeing that everything is under control, I leave the kitchen. The bell over the door jingles and I glance out to see a man hurry out, and the strangest feeling grips my stomach.

I make my way to the front door, step outside and look up and down the street, but he’s nowhere to be found. How could he have disappeared so fast?

As I stand on the cold sidewalk, noticing all the cars going by, I suddenly have the feeling that I’m being watched. Sure, my name was just posted all over social media and maybe the news outlets are looking to get dirt on Ash Wheeler’s mystery woman.

Why then do I get the feeling that this has nothing to do with any of that?