Page 119 of Revenge Puck

“Maybe…maybe we could play some time?”

“Could we, Mom?” he turns to ask Maya, who says to Christian, “We’ll see.”

Nodding in understanding, he backs toward the door with a wave, nearly tripping over a baby stroller before he makes it out the door.

“This way,” I tell him, pointing down the tunnel. “Try not to fall and break your neck. Everyone will blame me for it.”

“Fuucck,” he whispers, scrubbing both hands over his face. “How badly did I screw that up?”

“I don’t know,” I tell him honestly. It didn’t seem that bad to me, but I’m not sure what Maya thought. “It was…nice of you to bring him a jersey.”

“I thought he might laugh or throw it in the trash.”

“That’s basically what Elle did to mine,” I mutter. “So… how is she?” I cave and ask him.

“Who?”

“Elle.”

His shoulders shrug as we walk. “How the fuck would I know?”

I honestly expected him to gloat, to say they were back together now that I’m out of the picture. After all, she came to D.C. with the prick.

“You’re really going to play stupid? I know you came to the arena together. You don’t want to try to piss me off before the game?” I ask in disbelief.

“I’m not playing stupid. I’m not back with Ellie. She came with me today just as a friend.”

“I saw the photo of you outside her salon.”

“Man, that wasn’t…I didn’t know there was anyone watching us, I swear. I just went to her because I was upset after you broke the news to me that I’m a father. Ellie was the only one who knew, the only one I could talk to.”

“So, you two didn’t…you haven’t…”

“No. Elle is definitely over me.”

“Are you over her?”

Snorting, he turns to me and says, “I’ve got more important shit to worry about now, don’t I?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” I agree.

“Ellie…she’s probably the only person in the world who thinks I could be a decent father.”

“You don’t think you’ll be a decent father?”

“I don’t know if Maya will give me the chance.”

“It won’t be easy to convince her,” I tell him honestly. “And if you fuck up this chance, I’ll kill you.”

“Nope. You can’t get in my head today, man.” With a grin, he says, “Mysonis wearing my jersey, and he thinks I’m fast.”

“He’s four. He doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about,” I joke with him. “And it doesn’t matter how fast you are tonight. Elle’s here. Maya said I’ve got to make a grand gesture to win her back, which means I’m about to go win that trophy for her.”

42

Elle

Iwas so worried that showing up unannounced with Christian would go so badly that Preston would have a shitty game. Or that Christian would be off during this game because he just met his son for the first time.

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