Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

23. Gina

23

Gina

I ’m in a very good mood by the time I make it home with the groceries. Talking to Ash this afternoon made me feel so much more secure about this whole stalker situation, and he said he’d take care of it, even though I’m not sure there’s anything he can do. Still, his protective nature over me, my daughter, his father and friends, gives me such a sense of comfort, I can’t help but feel warm inside on this cold February day.

I ease into my spot outside my place. Hugging myself to ward off a chill, I step from the car and once again a strange, eerie feeling wraps around me. I search the sidewalks and find people bustling about, going about their Saturday afternoon shopping. No one particularly stands out, so I head inside the café and breathe in the delicious scent of cinnamon.

I chat briefly with the servers and when I notice the place is almost empty, I turn the sign from open to closed and let Carla know they can all head out early. Yes, I’m in a generous mood today and my staff work hard for me on my days off.

Hopefully come Monday, Margot will be available to watch Zoe after school, and I’m thinking about hiring new staff so I don’t get bogged down on weekends with the flu season upon us. I make my way back outside to grab the bags of groceries for tonight, and for Zoe’s lunches this week.

By the time I make it upstairs to my place, I’m ready for a hot cup of something and to spend the day relaxing with Zoe and Grant. Problem is, they have other plans, and they don’t really involve me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I ask, as they both slip into their coats.

“Got a call. Need to help my buddy with a car repair over at his shop.”

“Oh, well. Zoe, you don’t have to go. I’m home now. Sorry, Grant. I wouldn’t have taken so long had I known you we’re needed elsewhere.”

“No worries at all. I just got the call, and Zoe wants to go, don’t you, Zoe?”

“Mom, I want to learn how to fix a Cadillac converter. Grandpa is going to teach me. He says mechanics is a good skill to know for when I’m older.”

I do everything in my power not to laugh, because it’s actually a catalytic converter, or cry, because this is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.

“You really want to learn to work on cars?”

She nods quickly. “Grandpa said he could teach me all the things he taught Ash, and that made him a jack in the box.”

Ohmigod.

“Jack of all trades,” I correct gently.

“He said Ash is a man of many talents.”

“Yes, he sure is.” As I think about how he’s going to put those talents to use tonight, when he comes home from travelling, I swallow, begging my body not to react.

“Don’t mind if I put this on, do you?” Grant asks, holding up the hat I’d given Callie to wear that day she showed up here to get her jersey signed.

“Where did that come from?”

“Callie came by to return it. She seemed a bit bored. Said her mom and grandmother were going out to play bingo tonight.” He tugs the hat on and adjusts it in the hall mirror. “She said you might want to join them at the bingo hall.”

Good lord.

“No, I’m not interested in playing bingo tonight, not when we have plans for the game.” I walk past them and set the groceries on the side table. “We’re still on for that, aren’t we?”

“We sure are, love,” Grants says. “I told Callie that and well…” He pauses and I suck in a breath as I eye him. “I asked her to join us. I hope that’s okay with you.” He hangs his head. “I’m sorry. I know I should have asked first. She just seemed so lonely. If I overstepped?—”

“It’s okay, Grant. The more the merrier.” Honestly, I love how he cares about others and how inclusive he is. His son is the same way, although I’m not sure he would want to be hanging out with Callie, not with the way she puts her hands all over him.

He smiles, and looks somewhat relieved that he hadn’t overstepped. “You’re good with us going to the shop?”

“It’s safe?”

“I wouldn’t let anything happened to this little chicken nugget.” He puts her hat on her head, and pulls her zipper to her neck.

Zoe laughs. “Mommy, Grandpa calls me chicken nuggets. That’s so silly.”

“It is silly,” I agree as Grant beams at me. “You be good, okay?” I tap my daughter’s nose. “You listen very carefully and don’t touch anything you’re not supposed to touch.”

“I won’t.”

I pause for a second to think about what I’m doing. While I’d like to keep my child in bubble wrap, learning new things is good for her. So is spending time with her new best friend. I hand my keys over. “Why don’t you take my car? The booster seat is in the back.”

“Sounds good. Need anything while we’re out?”

Those words give me pause, and my heart squeezes tight as my brain takes a quick trip down memory lane. How many times did my grandfather run errands and ask my grandmother if she needed anything? This, right here, is what home and family is all about and I want it more than I ever wanted it before.

“I think I got everything for tonight.”

He steps up to the grocery bags and peeks in. “What the…you got fake meat.”

“It’s plant-based, not fake.”

“You been talking to my son or something.”

“He called when I was at the grocery store, but this was my idea.” He looks like he’s about to protest. “Trust me, Grant. You’re going to like it.”

He takes Zoe’s hand, grumbling about everyone trying to ruin his life, as they head down the stairs, and I grin. As much as he grouches, he likes that we all care about his health.

I move to the window and watch Grant get her into the back seat and buckle her in. Wow, she lets him buckle her in and if I dared to try, she’d throw a fit. Snatching up my bags of groceries, I take them to the kitchen, and begin unpacking. For the next little bit, I work on making a dough, and getting it chilled before dinner, then I make up dips for snacks tonight, and do a bit of tidying around the place.

By the time I finish, Grant and Zoe come barreling back into the house, bringing the chill of the outdoors with them.

“Mommy, that was so much fun. I got to use tools and turn screws, and everything.” When I reach them at the door, I laugh at the grease stains on her face, and I grab my phone to take a picture of her and Grant. I send it off to Ash. Not that I expect to hear from him. I’m sure they’re all getting into game mode, but it will give him something to laugh about after the game.

“You’re not putting that up on social media, are you?”

“No, I don’t really use social media.”

“It’s garbage. Nothing good about it.”

“I totally agree.” A hard quiver goes through me as I remember the things Liza falsely said about Ash. Who does something like that to get ahead in life? “The pizza dough is chilling. Why don’t you go ahead and get started on making dinner, and I’m going to take this chicken nugget to the bath.”

“I’m on it.”

Grant gets out of his winter clothes, and hangs them in the closet like he now lives here and it makes me chuckle. Honestly, I like having him around.

“Mommy,” Zoe begins, and as I take her to the bath and get it going with warm water and bubbles, as she strips down, I listen to her talk nonstop about her time at the shop and some guy named Dodge that she met. I’m not sure if she’s actually talking about a car or one of the mechanics, but she’s pretty intrigued by it all and I can’t help but think opening her up to seeing new things is a good idea. I know I certainly can’t teach her anything about cars, and her own father isn’t about to bring her into his world and teach her anything about medicine or psychiatry. “I’ve never been to a garage, you know.”

“Oh, I know.” I try not to laugh as she blinks up at me. She takes the washcloth from me as I try to wash her face.

“I can do it.” As I watch her, my throat squeezes tight. She’s growing up so darn fast. What is this place going to be like when she goes off to college? I can’t even imagine the quietness or the loneliness. Maybe I should have another baby, or two.

Whoa, where did that thought come from?

I finish getting Zoe washed up and into her pajamas. By the time I’m done combing out her wet hair, there’s a knock on the door, and Zoe darts down the hall and pulls it open.

“Hey, Zoe.” Callie glances up at me when she sees me coming. “Gina.” I smile at her, and she continues, “You don’t mind me joining you guys for pizza and the game, do you?” I note she’s in Ash’s jersey.

“No, of course not. Come on in.”

She steps in and I shut out the coldness behind her. She breathes in deeply. “Something smells good.”

“Grandpa is making pizza,” Zoe blurts out and darts to the kitchen.

Callie arches a brow. “Grandpa. Is there something I should know? I mean, last time we talked?—”

“No. No.” I am not about to tell Callie anything about my sex life or relationship with Ash. “It’s just something she calls him. No relationship.”

She lets loose a relieved breath. “Thank God.” I really don’t know why she’s thanking God. From what I can see she doesn’t have a relationship with Ash. “Did you see the pictures of us on social media.” A light laugh rumbles in her throat. “Who wore it best? Hilarious.”

“Yeah, hilarious.”

“It’s not even like you ‘wore’ him.” She does air quotes around that word and I guess she considers the fact that she jumped on him and wrapped her legs around his back, meant she ‘wore’ him. “Oh, I mentioned it to Grant earlier. Mom and Grandma are going to play bingo if you’re interested.”

Good, God. I’m not that much older than her.

“No, I want to watch the game.” Why do I suddenly feel like putting on my jersey, like I’m in competition with Callie? I really am far too mature for that. Maybe I should go play bingo. “Come on in. Can I get you anything to drink? Wine? Beer? Soda?”

“I’m not driving, so I’ll have wine.”

“Great.” We walk into the kitchen, and she pulls her phone out and shoots off a text. She waits for a second, before shoving her phone back into her pocket. I pour us each a glass of wine and I might need more than one to make it through the night.

Grant puts the ‘fake meat’ as he calls it on the pizza, slides it into the hot oven and sets a timer. “That does look amazing,” I tell him. “Crust was okay?”

“Crust was good,” he huffs out. “But I can’t guarantee the taste. Not with that low fat cheese and cardboard that’s trying to pass itself off as meat.”

I laugh at his antics. “I bet you’ll love it.”

“What do you want to bet?” he asks, mischief all over his face.

I fold my arms and eye the man who likes to matchmake. “What are you up to now, Grant?”

He whistles innocently, and I catch the curious way Callie is watching the both of us.

“Nothing,” he grouches.

“Forget it. I’m not betting.” I pull four plates from the cupboard and set the table. Callie sits, making herself comfortable as she once again does something on her phone.

“Callie, do you want to play a game with me?” Zoe asks.

“I’m not much into games.”

Zoe looks a bit sad. “I wish Ash was here. He always plays games with me.”

Callie perks up. “Oh, what games does he like?”

“He likes the pop one.”

“Why don’t you show me?”

I eye Grant as he watches her leave the room with Zoe. He leans in and whispers. “Looks like she’s got the hots for my son.” I can’t help but laugh at that. “Poor girl doesn’t know he’s totally into you, though.”

“Grant,” I warn and he holds his hands up.

“Just making an observation.”

I shake my head and set out napkins and pour a glass of milk for Zoe. “Beer?” He nods and I grab him one from the fridge.

Soon enough, the timer goes off and Grant pulls a delicious pizza from the oven. I call everyone to the table, and conversation is light and easy as we all eat. I ask Callie about her courses and career plans after graduation, only to learn, it’s her goal to marry an NHL player. Alrighty then.

Once dinner is done—Grant grumbled about the fake meat but he gobbed it up—we clean up and head to the living room. After a few more games with Zoe, I get her cleaned up and tucked into bed, and we all settle in to watch the Bucks play Florida.

Grant’s phone rings and he smiles from ear to ear as he talks to Ash before the game, something they always do. Callie watches on almost angrily and I tell her about their traditions, or maybe they’re superstitions. Many of the guys have superstitions.

Eventually the teams make their way on the ice, and we all lean in to watch the game. Whenever the camera zooms to Ash, Callie squeals a bit, and I work really hard not to. Noah gets our first goal just before the first period is over. Florida comes back to match it in the second, and I wince every time Ash takes or gives a hit.

During intermission, I lay out all our snacks and we dig in. While I’m not hungry, I continue to stress eat. Hockey is nerve wracking, especially when you know the players, and you’re sleeping with the defenseman.

As the third period nears the end, the teams tied, Jesse Campbell and Elias head down the ice together, working like a dream team as they pass the puck back and forth. Kalen is right there behind them. I’m on my feet when Florida’s defense come after them, but Jesse and Elias’s slick practiced moves prove too much. Jesse passes to Kalen, and he shoots, and scores. The light goes off and the guys all cheer, so do the three of us.

“I don’t know how much more I can take of this,” I blurt out, and wipe my brow with the back of my hand. With three minutes left on the clock, Florida pulls their goalie, and I hold my breath. Ash is killing it on defense, and as much as I want to look away, I keep my eyes glued to the countdown clock. It finally goes off. We all start cheering and jumping up and down and when the camera pans in on Ash and he grins, my heart races, because I think that secret smile is just for me.

“What a game,” Grant says, pride all over his face.

Callie hugs herself, or rather her jersey. “That was intense.” We all sit back down and stay put until the guys leave the ice, and once it’s over, we all clean up the dishes and put things away—this time, Callie helps.

“Thanks so much for letting me watch the game with you guys. It would have been boring being at Grandma’s alone.”

“I’m glad you could join us.” I walk her to the door and a cold breeze blows in as I open it. “Sleep well,” I tell her as I think about how little sleep I’ll get when Ash joins me in the middle of the night.

“You too.” Her phone rings and she pulls it from her pocket. Her eyes go wide as she glances at the number. A second later, she slides her finger across her screen, steps outside and answers, “Ash, hi. Ohmigod, you played amazing tonight.”