Page 49 of Stick Play

He picks me up and carries me in, setting me on his counter. I’m a little shocked at his caveman moves, not that I’m opposed to them. I kind of like not having to make all the decisions all the time. Two steps take him to his gigantic tub, and he bends to turn it on.

“This should make bubbles.” He shows me a shower gel. “Eucalyptus. Do you like that?”

“I love it.”

He nods and my heart wobbles a bit as he squirts it into the running water, and bubbles form. “You get in. I’ll be back with a glass of wine for you. Then I’m putting you to bed.”

He’s not going to get a fight from me, and what he’s suggesting sounds perfectly acceptable, and spectacularly delightful. He lifts me from the counter and I’m a rag doll in his arms.

I sigh, and start undressing as he disappears. I honestly can’t believe this man ran a bath for me and is getting me wine. Not only that, but he’s so good with the kids, taking them sledding, skating, playing board games, reading bedtime stories, and he treats his father so well.

Speaking of his father.

I slip into the bubbly water and breathe in the delicious scent as Grant’s parting words rumble around in my brain. What did he mean when he said: If you would have listened to me.

What didn’t Ash listen to? I stretch out and briefly close my eyes as I bask in the heat, and me-time, which I don’t get very often, as I consider Grant’s words.

“Hey,” Ash murmurs quietly as he comes back with the glass of wine and the jersey I wore last night. I sit up and gratefully take the stemmed glass and as I sip it, and look into his blue eyes, he angles his head, his gaze moving over my face, reading me. He sighs. “You really want to get into it?”

16

Ash

I drop down, sit on the hard tiled floor, and dip my hand into the warm, soapy water. I study the gorgeous curves of Gina’s face as her body relaxes. She takes a sip of wine, and puts it on the edge of the tub, to take my hand in hers. Our fingers automatically weave together, soft and rough joining as one. A new kind of tightness weaves its way around my chest, as I bring her hand to my lips for a soft kiss.

“You’re wondering what my dad was talking about, right?” I finally ask, breaking the quiet surrounding us.

She nods, her eyes narrowing as she studies me. “Yes, but if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to. I was just curious.”

The fact is, Gina was forthright and honest with me when I asked about Zoe’s father. I can’t deny that her openness, the trust she put in me with that disclosure meant something, and while I don’t talk about what happened with Liza, because it was nothing but bullshit. People judge anyway. Yet, something deep inside me lets me know, I won’t get that reaction from Gina.

“Last year, I was dating a woman who wanted to be famous.” Gina sits up a little straighter, her eyes meeting mine, fully interested and invested in what I have to say as I begin to open up. I snort out an uncomfortable laugh. “She was all over social media, posting numerous times a day, and I guess she thought that dating a hockey player was a great way to get attention. That’s why she latched onto me.”

“I’m sorry, Ash. It’s not fun to be used like that.”

“Oh, it gets better…or rather worse.” I pause for a second. “I liked her in the beginning. She came off sweet and kind, and well…she wasn’t at all who I thought she was.”

A garbled sound crawls out of her throat. “I know all about that.”

“Yeah, I know you do. Funny thing is, Dad could see right through her. I’m not sure how. Maybe that comes with age, or having experienced his own kind of betrayal.”

She nods in understanding. “Look at us, more alike than we ever thought and yes, betrayal does make you leery, and not quite as trusting.” I nod and groan as I shift on the floor. She crooks her finger. “Why don’t you get in here with me. There’s room.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, if you don’t want?—”

“I never said that,” I blurt out quickly and it brings a smile to her face. “But this bath was about you relaxing. You’ve had a busy day.”

“So did you and trust me, I’ll be more relaxed if I’m snuggled against you.” Since my body is tight, like it always is when I think about Liza, I decide it’s a good idea. And of course, it’s always a great idea to get naked with Gina. I stand, tug off my clothes and climb in behind her. She shifts forward to make room, and after I’m settled I pull her against me. As she nestles in, I run my hands through the water to create small waves. “Do you want to tell me more?” she asks.

I exhale and my body starts to relax. “I actually want to tell you everything.”

She glances at me, a small smile curving her beautiful lips that I really want to kiss. “I’m listening.”

“Like I said, at first, things with Liza were great. She was always taking pictures of us and I didn’t mind. It was the new stages of a relationship and lots of endorphins and I wanted her to be successful at her job.”

“Honeymoon stage. I get that. I also get that you wanted her to be successful. That makes you a good partner.”

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