Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

25. Gina

25

Gina

H ere it is, Monday again, later in the afternoon. It’s been a little over a week since I’ve been wearing this gorgeous dolphin necklace Ash brought back for me, and I still can’t seem to stop playing with it. I also can’t seem to stop smiling. Honestly, this was such a thoughtful gift, and those wishing stones…

At first I was mortified that he would give Zoe a gift like that. They felt far more real and maybe even more powerful than wishing lumps in pancakes. However, the fact that Ash got them for her said more than words ever could. He wants for her wishes to come true. Heck, I do too. While Ash and I haven’t come right out and said as much, things were said when we made love that night he came home from Florida. Things that lead me to believe we do have a future together.

Of course, Callie tried to come between us, stealing his phone number and calling him incessantly until he finally called her back—because he was worried about me. She’s back in California now, and fortunately she’s no longer calling him. There’s a chance she could have come between us with her antics. The old Gina might not have believed Ash and might have questioned his explanation. That old Gina was hurt and jaded and trusted no one. Ash, however, hasn’t done anything to prove he’s not trustworthy.

Carla comes into the kitchen from the dining area, just as I pick up the order Andre just finished preparing. “Things are picking up out there.”

I nod, pick up the plates and head into the dining area to serve them to a couple of retired regulars. Devon picks up his fork, hunger in his eyes as I set his plate in front of him. Since he always talks about the weather, I’m not surprised when he says, “I hear another storm is on its way.”

“I’ll be glad when spring comes,” his regular lunch partner Webster grumbles.

I glance out onto the sidewalk and note the dark clouds. Nothing, not even the cold wet weather can wipe the smile from my face. But you know what can? The man standing on the sidewalk, staring straight at me. The hairs on the back of my neck tingle, and honest to God, I haven’t felt like anyone was watching me since Ash returned home last weekend. Not much has been said on social media since that incident after the game, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t looking for dirt. Once again, my gut tells me this is about something else.

I’m about to march right outside and ask the guy what he wants, only to stop when a gorgeous woman, who doesn’t look to be that much older than me, and two teenagers who I assume are her sons, step up to him. My steps slow as he turns to them, and they greet him with a smile.

Perhaps he’s her husband and this is all clearly my overworked imagination.

I make my way back to the kitchen and pick up my phone to find a message from Ash. He finished up practice a while ago and is helping his dad with a car at Dodge’s garage. His second message suggests we all stay at my place tonight because of the bad weather coming in. We’ve been spending our time together at both places, and I haven’t needed Margot to babysit, because Grant insists on being here for Zoe after school, whether I’m working or not. I think that’s rather cute.

Zoe hasn’t been asking too many questions, but she’s been using her wishing stones every morning and every night. I message Ash back to let him know that I can take tomorrow morning off since I’ve brought in new staff. If the roads are bad enough, school will be closed and the café won’t open until late anyway.

With that settled, I pick up the next order and head to the dining room. After I deliver it, I spot the woman and her two teenage sons sitting at a table, the man no longer with them. The woman has her eyes glued to me and once again, the hairs on the back of my neck tingle. Which is crazy. This woman clearly isn’t here to get social media dirt. Her sons are both on their phones as I step up to them.

“How are you all doing today?”

She gives me a rather nervous smile. “We’re good.” She looks around. What or who is she looking for? Is it possible that she’s here to see Ash? “How are you?”

“I’m good. Can I start you with coffee?”

“I would love that.”

“Boys,” she orders in a stern voice. “Put your phones down please.”

They do as she asks, and their weary eyes narrow in on me, not with suspicion, but with…anger? What the heck? The bell over the door jingles, and in walks Elias and Tuck. I lift my head and smile at them. They nod back and take a table near the side window.

The older teenager nudges the younger one. “Shit, Josh, that’s Elias Ariti and Tucker Delray, the team’s captain.”

The younger boy, Josh, looks around, his eyes widening. “What, where?”

“Right there, sitting by the window.”

Josh’s eyes practically bulge out of his head. “Shit.”

“Boys, language.” The woman gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry. Things have been…” She lets her words fall off.

“Parenting. I get it.” I have a girl, not a boy, and I know it can be different, but still, parenting…

Deciding to help the woman out, I lean in. “Tell you what. No more bad words, and I’ll introduce you.”

“No way,” the older boy says.

I give a casual shrug, and gesture for Carla to bring coffee. “Sure.”

“You know them?” His eyes narrow in on me, suspicious, but no longer angry.

“Lucas,” the mother warns. “Manners, please.”

Lucas sits up a bit straighter, and it’s odd. There’s something familiar in his features. “You really know them?” he asks, in a nicer tone.

“I do. Do you want to say hello, maybe get an autograph?”

“Yes,” they both shout in unison, and I laugh.

I glance at the woman. “If it’s okay with you?”

She fidgets with her purse straps. “I don’t want to bother them.”

“They’re great guys and they love their fans.” She gives me a grateful smile, like my gesture means a lot.

“You’re very nice.”

I chuckle. “Thanks,” I say for lack of anything else. I guess if she’s here to find dirt, it will be good dirt.

“Come on, guys.” They jump from their chairs so fast, they nearly topple backward. Carla comes to fill the woman’s coffee mug as I lead the boys to Elias and Tuck.

“Hi guys, I hope you don’t mind.” I put my hand on Josh and Lucas’ backs to guide them forward. “Two fans who’d love to say hello.”

“Hey,” Elias greets and holds up his hand for a high five.

The boys are star struck as they clap hands, and I pull my notepad from my pocket so they can get autographs, and then of course the boys need selfies. I glance back at their mom, who is texting something, her brows knit tightly together, and my stomach tightens slightly. What is she nervous about, and why is it making me uneasy?

The door opens again, and a woman who looks to be in her late fifties comes in, glances around and hurries over to sit beside the boys’ mom. Judging from the resemblance, I’d say she’s the boys’ grandmother.

“Okay guys, I think we’ve taken up enough of the players time. Let’s get you back to your mom.” I wink at Elias and Tuck. “Lunch is on the house.”

“Well, on that note,” Tuck laughs and picks up his menu. “I’m starved.”

Chuckling, I take the boys back to their table. “I can’t believe you know them.” Josh beams up at me. “Do you know any other players?”

“Would you believe me if I said I knew all the players?”

“No way,” Lucas says, warming up to me a bit. “Do you know Ash Wheeler?”

My heart jumps at his name. “I know him very well.”

“Does he come in here too?”

“He does.”

“Mom, Mom,” he yells as he slides into his chair. “Ash Wheeler comes in here. We have to come back every day.”

“We can’t do that, Lucas.” She gives me a nervous look and I glance at the woman taking off her coat and scarf. “Coffee?”

Lucas leans back in his seat and folds his arms. “Maybe Boston won’t be so bad.”

Ah, so they must be moving here, and maybe their anger wasn’t directed at me, but at the move itself.

“Love some.” She stares at me, like I’m a bug under a microscope and this time instead of calling Carla over, I go get it myself. I fill her up and drop the menus.

“I’ll just give you guys a moment.”

I come back and take their order, and as I move about the dining area, clearing dishes and filling drinks as I wait on orders, I notice the woman keeps looking at me. So does her mother. The boys are both on their phones, texting their friends their pictures and blasting all over social media, I suppose.

Andre hits the bell to let me know their meals are up and I walk into the kitchen to get them. I know Ash is busy, but it would have been nice for the boys to meet him. While I don’t like all the attention, I do enjoy standing back and seeing him with his fans. He was always good with the kids. It was just my daughter he was afraid of, and that was probably because he had no idea what to do with a small girl. Little did he know how much she’d like going to Dodge’s garage. That thought makes me chuckle.

I line my arms with plates and set them down in front of my guests. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

The boys as well as the older woman stare at the mom. They’re clearly waiting for her to say something.

She fidgets with her spoon. “Are you here until closing?”

Odd question. I nod. “Yes, for another half hour. Then I have to pick my daughter up at school.” I glance out at the gray outdoors. “Hopefully the bad weather will hold off until long after that.”

“Okay,” is all she says. “We’ll see you after we’re done. We won’t be that long.” I wait for a second and when she doesn’t say more, I step away and leave them to their meal. I go back to my phone and shoot off a message to Ash. He gets back to me right away, and lets me know he can pick Zoe up for me after school. I’m grateful that I don’t have to rush off and I like them having time together. My daughter is falling for the hockey hero every bit as much as I am, and for the first time in my life, I’m not afraid of that.

I head over and chat with Elias and Tuck for a second. “Do you know those boys?” Tuck asks.

“No, first time I’ve seen them in here.” I don’t miss the way Tuck is sneaking peeks at their mom. I can’t blame him. With her long dark hair, thick lashes and dark eyes, she’s rather breathtaking. Her boys both look like her. She’s absolutely gorgeous, but not at all Tuck’s type. Then again, I’m sure many people would be surprised that Ash is with me. Although my friends weren’t. The public, however, that’s a different story and one interesting enough to be plastered all over socials that night he held Zoe in his arms.

I head to the kitchen to help Andre clean up, and Carla brings in the dirty dishes. I check the time, noting it’s nearly closing time and I’m really hoping Ash gets back before my table of four leave for the day.

The bell over the door jingles, and a bubble of happiness fills me because it’s likely Zoe and the guys. I wipe my hands on a dish towel and hurry into the dining room to see them all. The boys both gape when their gazes land on Ash, and I tug Zoe into my arms to give her a hug.

Zoe begins talking a mile a minute, telling me about some new pet guinea pig they have in their classroom, but how she still wants a dog. “Mommy you want a dog too, don’t you?”

Strangely enough, after Zoe calls me mommy, Josh and Lucas’ attention instantly turns to my daughter, and they stare at her with a mixture of curiosity, unease and apprehension. I thought they’d be all over Ash, but right after they heard Zoe call me mommy, they focused in on her and yes, I find that very odd.

“You’re Zoe?” Lucas asks her.

She frowns and looks at both of the boys, her gaze going back and forth like a bobble head, no doubt wondering how they know her name. Hell, I’m wondering the same. I swear if this is about a story…

Their mother looks mortified when she warns, “Josh, Lucas, please don’t.”

Every nerve in my body jumps, and my muscles tighten. I’m about to ask exactly who they are and what is going on, but Zoe speaks first.

“Who are you?” she asks.

Josh blurts out, “I’m your brother.”