Page 41 of Stick Play

Mel: Fine, check in and let me know. Just FYI, I haven’t seen Ash with a woman in a long time.

I don’t know why that gives me little butterflies. I noticed the same thing, and he’s not with anyone now because as friends with benefits, we’re exclusive. I once thought I was exclusive and look how that turned out. Ash isn’t hiding anything from me, though, and this arrangement is kind of nice, actually.

Nice enough that you want it to continue after the deadline, Gina?

Ignoring that thought because it really isn’t an option, I finish texting Mel and shoot off a text to Ash, asking about tonight. He doesn’t answer right away, probably because he’s busy getting the kids ready. I’m sure he’s happy to have his dad’s help today, even though he calls him a stubborn bastard. I honestly love their relationship. I just don’t want Zoe getting too invested in either of them.

My heart takes that moment to skip a beat. My grandfather would have loved Zoe. Would have given her all the male influence she needed. He was always my sounding board and maybe he would have seen through my ex and prevented me from getting caught in his web of lies. But, I have Zoe, and I will never regret that. Lucian doesn’t even know where I am, and no one can ever take her away from me. Not that Lucian wants anything to do with her.

I set my phone down when Carla comes in through the front door, a cool breeze following her inside. “What I wouldn’t do to be in the Caribbean,” she says with a laugh. She still can’t understand why I didn’t go. I wanted my friends to have a good time and what fun is the Caribbean when you don’t have anyone special to share the sunrises and sunsets with. Ash didn’t go because he doesn’t like the heat. I think there is a small part of him that was worried about his father, too.

Maybe he was worried about you too, Gina.

That’s a silly thought, even though he did stop by to make sure I was shoveled out, and then stayed to help. Who does something like that? A guy who’s helping a friend out, because yes, I’m sure Brighton and Noah asked him to take care of me, since I was taking care of their kids.

What about the other times he just showed up to check in on you, girl?

Okay, enough of those thoughts.

Carla takes off her coat, tugs on her apron and washes up. Andre follows in behind her, and then Sherry comes in, looking a lot better than she did last week when she was coming down with the flu. I have other part-time staff as well, but these three are my main crew.

We all get to work on prepping for the Sunday rush. It’s not as bad in February as it is in the summer, when it’s tourist season. Soon enough, we’re lost in the flow of customers and pastries and sandwiches. When I finally make it back to my phone, there’s a message from Ash saying he has no plans tonight and there’s a picture of him and his dad with the kids at an outdoor skating rink. I blow up the picture to see all their smiling faces, and it occurs to me that Grant has the biggest smile of them all. The man definitely needs grandkids. Ash might not be looking for a relationship right now, or kids, but down the road that could change and I hope it does. Although, the tightness in my stomach when I think of him with another woman, isn’t something I should be experiencing.

The rest of the day flies by and it’s soon closing time, and I get a new burst of energy just thinking about heading back to Ash’s. I’m excited to see him and hear about his day with the kids. I lock up behind everyone and head upstairs to shower and get into clean clothes. I opt for a pair of jeans and a soft blue blouse. I also grab clothes for the kids so they have something nice to wear to Mel’s tonight.

Once I have everything packed, I grab the unsold pastries to take to Melanie’s and hurry to my car. The sun is low on the horizon as I drive to Ash’s place, and a little jolt of excitement curls through me when the front door opens and I find Ash standing there waiting for me. My grandparents always did the same for each other and I never knew what a nice feeling it was until now.

I hurry from the car, and meet him on the stoop. In the background I hear the kids playing with Grant. Ash leans in and kisses me and I love how he does that. “How was your day?” he asks, his voice deep and aroused.

“It was good. How about you? No noodle incidents?”

He shakes his head. “Why do kids have so much energy? I tried to wear them out at the rink, but that only hyped them up. They’re all pretty good skaters, even Tate.”

“Maybe he’ll grow up to be a hockey player like his daddy.”

Something comes over Ash, some look I’ve never seen in his eyes before. Is it longing?

I tap his nose. “Maybe someday if you have a boy, he’ll follow in your footsteps too.”

An odd noise escapes his throat, as he drags me to him, and pulls me into the warmth of his home. His big house might not be decorated or homey, but with Ash and his dad in it, along with my daughter and her friends, it feels…right.

Feels like home.

14

Ash

I take a swig of my beer, watching from the sofa as the kids, along with Dad, play a board game on the coffee table, while Melanie and Brady’s big chocolate lab Jersey beats everyone with her tail. Gina and Mel went upstairs to put Kayce down for a nap because he’s been cranky all day and didn’t sleep well last night.

Tate looks like he could use a nap too, but we’re not going to fight over napping while we’re visiting friends. Jesus. Look at me. Acting like Gina and I are co-parenting and making decisions together. I guess as the manny I do have obligations.

“I need to check on my sauce.” Brady pushes to his feet and since everyone seems busy and happy, I follow him in. Delicious smells fill my nostrils, and my stomach takes that moment to grumble. When did I last eat? Oh right, the kids begged for macaroni and cheese for lunch, so that’s what I served everyone. Not much protein in that to keep me going, and I have to get back on track for upcoming training and games. I haven’t even been exercising like I should be. Although what Gina and I have been doing…I bite back a moan.

Brady’s words pull me back. Shit, what did he just say to me? “Ah, what?”

He glances at me over his shoulder as he makes his way to the stove. “How did you end up babysitting three kids? I’m exhausted with just one.”

Thank God he didn’t ask where my mind went for a second. I laugh and shake my head, wondering the same thing. “It just sort of happened. Gina’s regular sitter Margot was tied up, and when she realized Gina was in a bind, and I just happened to be at her place, Margot kindly suggested I fill in.”

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