Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

28. Ash

28

Ash

A s I tape up my stick, ready to hit the ice against New York, I try to play it cool, try to pretend that my life might not be imploding. Even though I think it very well could be. Why is Gina running back to California? I mean, it seems so strange, and not to mention it to me all week, and then only mentioning it after that asshole Theo told her about my private conversation with Coach. Motherfucker. I ought to go beat his face in right now.

“Everything okay?” Brady asks. I guess I’m not doing such a great job of hiding my feelings.

“Yeah, just getting mentally prepared.” I rip the tape and smooth it over my stick. If we were back home, I might call Melanie or even Brighton to find out if they know anything. But here on the road, I don’t want to start anyone panicking, and the guys need me to have my head in the game.

“I talked to Tuck.” I don’t miss the concern in his voice.

I keep my eye on my stick and answer with, “Yeah.” I really don’t want to get into this right now, but I know he’s concerned about me.

“That black eye Theo is sporting is from Tuck.”

I snort out a laugh. “Good.” I glance at Brady as he scrubs his chin and shakes his head like he too wants a piece of Theo. “What the fuck is wrong with that guy?”

“We don’t have enough time for that conversation.” I stand and stretch out my legs as I shove my tape into my bag.

He looks a bit hesitant when he asks, “You talked to Gina?”

I nod. “As far as I can tell, she believes me.”

Then again, maybe she was just pretending to believe me, not wanting to fight over the phone, and maybe she’s headed back to California to see if she can patch things up with Zoe’s father, now that Maria and the kids are out of the picture.

Dude, come on, you don’t believe that?

It’s true, I don’t. I just don’t understand what’s left for her in California. The whole bit about her grandparents felt off. They’ve been gone a long time. What loose ends does she have to tie up and she hesitated when I asked, like she was making it up on the spot.

Her up and leaving felt far too familiar. Far too much like what my mother did.

But Gina isn’t like that.

Okay, Ash. Clear your thoughts and get your head in the game.

Brady nudges me. “Let’s go.”

“I just have to give Dad a quick call.” He nods and I pull my phone from the locker and call Dad. Maybe he knows something I don’t. I can’t come right out and ask. I don’t want him worrying about anything either. Dad answers on the first ring.

“Hey, son. I’m in front of the TV with Elena, Maria and the boys. We can’t wait to watch you kick butt tonight.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I go quiet for a second, and unable to help myself I ask, “Have you talked to Gina?”

“At the café she told Maria she had to fly out of town to take care of some personal business.”

I grip my helmet tighter as the guys all start filing out. “Yeah, okay. I was just wondering.”

“Everything okay?” he asks quietly.

“Oh yeah,” I blurt out in a fake happy voice that probably isn’t fooling my very astute dad. “I just wanted to make sure you all knew she had to leave.”

“Yeah, it’s all good, son. Now remember, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, so get out there and win.”

I laugh at that and how he says it to me before every game. He even did it when I played in my younger years. “Okay, Dad. Say hi to everyone for me.”

“Will do.”

With that, we end the call and I stare at my phone for a second, itching to call Gina. Since she doesn’t want me to, I shoot off a text. Hey, she didn’t say anything about texting. “Hope your flight was good. I look forward to seeing you when I’m back.” Okay, yes, that was fishing, but I’m in love with a woman who just found out I kept something pretty important from her, something that could be viewed as me being manipulative. Then she jumped on a plane back to where she used to live.

As my brain spins, I throw everything into my locker, tug on my helmet, and make my way out to the tunnel. Brady is already on the ice warming up and when he sees me, he comes over, taps my helmet and orders, “Head in the game, Mountain.”

“You can count on it.”

I stretch out, go through my warm-up drills, and prepare to play. If anything, I plan to channel my worry and my anger at Theo into winning this fucking game.

Soon enough the puck is dropped and as a professional, I manage to tune everything out but what is expected of me, and honest to fucking God, I’m pretty sure I’m playing better than I ever have before.

By the time the third period comes around, and we’re up two to one, I catch Theo smirking at me. Motherfucker. Is he trying to break us up because he wants Gina for himself? He does seem to like the women I’m with, judging by the way he went after Liza. I really am going to pound him when we get off the ice.

Right now, however, I’m going to channel the anger into the two forwards determined to take me down. I glance to my right and spot Tuck, and he goes after the guy with the puck, forcing him to shoot it and when he does, I intercept and take it behind the net. The next thing I know, I’m hit from behind, and a fight for the puck ensues. I come out victorious and get it to Tuck who sends it to Elias, and they take the play to the other end.

Breathing heavily, I reposition, and glance at the clock. As the play comes back our way, they pull the goalie, and we all prepare. Chaffin, fast motherfucker that he is, works the puck around me, and I chase him. He takes a shot on net, and Brady stops it with his glove. “Yeah, man,” I yell, and a second later, the clock runs out.

We all hug, and after we celebrate, we head off the ice. I go through my normal after-game routine, and after speaking to the media—thank God they were more interested in the game than my personal life—we’re bussed back to our hotel.

“Grab a beer?” Noah asks and throws one arm around me.

“I think I’m just going to call it a night. I’m tired and if I have a drink and I’m around Theo, I might just fuck him up.”

“Tuck already did that for you.”

I grin, loving my hockey family. “Yeah, but I’m going to call it a night.” Desperate to be alone, to check my phone, I stab the elevator button as the guys all head to the hotel bar. I hurry to my room, and tug my phone from my pocket. I exhale a big, relieved breath, when I see a message from Gina, telling me I had a great game. I want to ask if I can call, but she made it clear she didn’t want that, so I shoot back a message.

Me: Everything going okay with your grandparents’ stuff?

Gina: So far so good. I’m just falling asleep with Zoe, so talk soon.

Me: Wait, when are you back?

Gina: Monday, same as you. Bye, Ash.

Me: Bye.

With that, I set my phone down. Jesus, that’s the second time I said goodbye to Gina on the phone, and the second time it felt far too final. But maybe it’s not. She did say talk soon. But what the hell does she want to talk about and why couldn’t we do it before she left, or even now? I don’t know, but what I do know is by the time the sun comes up, my thoughts are back on Gina and what’s really going on.

The next few days and games go by in a blur. I’m not sure how we won, considering I was in a daze for most of it. I finally arrive home Monday evening, and my heart is in my throat, wanting to talk to Gina. As I ease into the driveway, disappointment settles in the pit of my stomach. Her car isn’t here. In fact, there are no cars in the driveway. Where the heck is everyone? I head inside and call out, but no one is here. It’s after school and the boys should be home by now. I grab my phone and message Dad.

Me: Hey where is everyone?

Dad: I’m at Gina’s. I picked Zoe up after school. Maria and Elena are out with the boys but are coming back with pizza. The real kind. Join us.

Dammit, I’m not going to go over there without hearing from Gina. Does she even want to see me? I mean, she’s back and she never even bothered to message me. Just then my phone pings again and my heart jumps when I read the message from Gina.

Gina: Can you meet me in the café?

Me: Be right there.

I practically run to my vehicle, back out of the driveway and head straight to the Nook. After parking, I jog down the sidewalk to the café and find the closed sign on the door. I try the knob and it opens.

“Gina,” I call out.

“In the kitchen.”

I practically run to the kitchen and when I enter, and find her leaning against the counter an uneasy, almost nervous look on her face, my protective instincts kick into high gear.

I take a step toward her. “Are you okay?”

She picks her phone up off the counter, and runs her finger over the screen. “I thought the world should know what you’re really like?” She holds her phone out to me, and I recognize one of the social media apps, the one that likes to bash me the most. I shake my head, not wanting to read it.

“Gina, what’s going on? Why did you ask me to meet you here?” I pause and glance around her kitchen.

“I wanted to do this here, in the café, where we first…” Her cheeks turn pink. “This is where things started heating up between us, when you…you know, showed up with your tools. One in particular.”

I get that she’s being cute and cheeky but I’m a hot mess here. “Can you please tell me what’s going on?”

She nods. “I need you to read this.” She continues to hold her phone out and I reluctantly take it and see that it’s her profile. She posted on social media? I really don’t know what the hell is going on here. I frown, and make a move to step back when she touches my arm. “Please, just read it.” As she gazes at me with warmth and a measure of worry, I nod and glance at the screen.

If you want dirt on Ash, don’t read this. But if you want to know who he really is, then continue. Ash Wheeler is the kindest, sweetest man on the planet. I never liked to ask for help and with Ash, I didn’t need to. He stepped up when I was shorthanded at the café, and when I needed help with childcare, he was right there.

“What is this, Gina?” I lift my head and find her watching me carefully. Jesus, she’s a private person and putting all her personal business on social media couldn’t have been easy for her.

“Keep going,” she whispers, so I look back down.

Ash is always there for everyone he cares about, even when some are stubborn about that. He has treated my daughter and me with love and care and the utmost respect. He’s a great man who protects, nurtures, and loves with his entire heart. He’s a jack of all trades, a man of many talents, and not only is he an amazing hockey player, he’s an amazing teammate, son, and manny and soon, I hope I can add father and husband to this list.”

My heart jumps into my throat. “Gina…” I lift my head and she has an open ring box in her hand, with a gold band in it. “What…”

“My grandparents left me their rings. They came with very specific instructions.” I angle my head as my throat tightens and tears blur my vision. “I am only allowed to put this ring on a man who is honest, truthful, kind, and giving, and is deserving of all the love in the world. You are that man, Ash.” She sniffs, as tears fill her eyes. “I know this is unconventional, but nothing about us, or what we’ve been doing qualifies as conventional, anyway, so here goes. Ash, will you marry me?”

I stand there for one second, completely stunned as her words bounce around in my brain. Is this really happening? Jesus, it is, and I’m the luckiest fucking man in the world. As she stares up at me, nibbling her bottom lip with uncertainty, like maybe this isn’t what I want, I pull her to me, and press my lips to hers, kissing the hell out of her as her arms tighten around my back.

“Yes, Gina. Fuck, yes. I will marry you.” She’s crying as I inch back and I brush the back of my palm over her cheek. “I love you so much.” I exhale. “I was so scared, Gina. I didn’t know what was going on. I never thought you believed the lies written about me…then after your run-in with Theo, and our conversation, you left for California, and didn’t want me to call.”

“I’m sorry, Ash. I didn’t mean to be all cloak and dagger. I’m just not good with secrets—heck, I told the girls about us when I wasn’t supposed to—and I wanted to get these rings and get back to you as quickly as I could. I figured if we talked, I’d spill the beans and tell you exactly what I was up to. I also…” She nibbles her lips again. “I wasn’t sure if this was what you wanted, so I was a little terrified.”

“It’s what I want. Believe me, it’s what I want. I think I knew it was what I wanted from the first time I met you. I was scared. Coach told me no more drama, and you had a daughter to protect, and we all know how much she frightened me.” That brings a grin to her face. “I never thought I could be a good role model for a little girl. I never had any maternal guidance.”

She cups my cheeks. “I know, Ash. I also know that you are amazing with her, and she loves you as much as I do.”

I blink, trying to wrap my brain around this, when another thought—a huge thought—hits. “Can I be Zoe’s father?”

She laughs. “Yes, if that’s what you want.”

My heart is pounding so fast, I’m not sure I heard her correctly. “I can adopt her?”

“Of course, you can, Ash.”

I hug her again, her warmth and love curling around my heart. “Our family…You, me, Zoe, Dad, Maria, Elena, Lucas and Josh. It’s going to be so big.”

“It’s everything I ever wanted,” she says quietly, inching back to cup my cheeks.

“Me too, but I also don’t think it’s big enough?”

She arches a brow. “No?”

I grin and kiss her again. “I think we could add to it.”

“I’d love that, Ash, and I know Zoe will too.” She laughs. “Just tell me you’ll use the wishing stones and not make us eat lumpy pancakes for months.”

“It’s why I bought them.”

“Should we go tell the others?”

I’m about to say yes, when something else occurs to me. “You need a ring.”

She pulls another box from her pocket. “This was Grandma’s engagement ring, and again I know it’s not conventional, but this is the one I want to wear.”

I take it from her, and look at the small diamond, and while I’d like to buy her the biggest one in the store, this one couldn’t be more perfect for her. She holds her hand out. “Will you be my wife, Gina?” I ask. “Will you and Zoe move in with me and make me the happiest man in the world?”

“Yes,” she answers, and I pick her up and spin her around.

“Now we can go tell the others, and I know just how I want to do it.”

“Oh?” She angles her head and I grin at her.

I grab her hand and we head upstairs. We say hello to Dad, who is watching me carefully. I can’t seem to keep anything from that man. “Where’s Zoe?”

“I’m in here,” she calls out, and we walk into the kitchen to find her drawing a picture.

She jumps up and hugs me when I enter the kitchen, and I kiss the top of her head. Before she sits back down, I pull Gina into my arms, and give her a kiss. Zoe’s eyes go wide.

“Mommy!” she shrieks. “You’re kissing Ash.”

Gina breaks the kiss and laughs. “I am, and I think you know what that means.”

She shrieks and jumps up and down. “Ash is going to be my daddy!”

I drop down to one knee and take her hand. “Zoe, will you be my little girl?”

“Yes!” I pull her to me and hug her, and she’s shaking so hard, unable to contain her excitement, it makes me laugh.

“All my wishes are coming true,” she yells and grabs the picture with everyone in it. “This is my family.”

Dad comes into the kitchen, a big grin on his face. “Grandpa, my wishes are coming true.”

“They sure are,” he agrees, and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Congratulations.” I hug him and then we pull Gina and Zoe into the embrace.

When we break apart, Zoe picks up her wishing stones, and I take a closer look at her picture, to see that she added Maria, Elena, Lucas and Josh.

“Zoe why do you need your stones? All your wishes have come true. A daddy, a grandpa and brothers. Are you wishing for more brothers?”

“Daddy,” she begins, and my heart nearly jumps from my chest. Gina puts her hand on my back, a small noise catching in her throat as my vision once again blurs. “I have enough brothers. Now I want a sister.”

“And a dog,” Dad pipes in. “Don’t forget about the dog.”

I laugh. “Thanks, Dad.”

“I didn’t, Grandpa, it’s right here.” She points to the dog in her picture then slides her finger to the basket. “This is for my sister. Mommy, you have a ring, and you kissed and now all you have to do is sleep in the same bed…and then?—”

Jesus.

“Okay, Zoe,” I say and pick her up. When she gets older and realizes what she said, she’s going to be mortified. Redirecting, I ask, “How about that dog?”

She cups my cheeks and squeezes. “How about Grandpa and I pick the dog out? You and Mommy need to sleep in the same bed so I can get a sister.”

Lord, my daughter is going to be the death of me.

Zoe…my daughter.

Gina…my wife.

My new found family.

How did I ever get so lucky?

The front door opens and voices as well as the smell of pizza fill the house and as Zoe and Dad run to the other room, excited to share in the good news, I pull my fiancée close.

“I love you, Gina.”

“I love you, Ash.”

I glance around her kitchen, and think about the first time I made love to her. “I don’t ever want to stop meeting like this,” I tease.

“We never will, Ash. We never will.”