Page 65 of Stick Play

She laughs quietly and it wraps around my body. “So much for us being able to keep a secret from our friends.”

“Yeah, so much for that, but you can be assured Dad will always be in her life.” A beat and then, “Gina, I’ll always be in yours and Zoe’s life too.”

“The girls said that.” I hear a little sniff. “You know I’ve always wanted to be a part of a big family.”

“It’s always just been Dad and me against the world, and while I never really thought about that growing up, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

“Ash?”

“Yeah.”

She pauses for so long, I inch up and my stomach tightens. “I saw some social media posts from last night. Brighton showed me at dinner. She wasn’t sure whether to or not, and in the end decided I should be aware.”

“Jesus, I hate social media. Are you okay? I know you didn’t want the world knowing anything about us.” Telling our closest friends is one thing, but this is something entirely different. “Who wore it better. Christ, what the fuck is that?”

“You saw them?” There’s genuine surprise in her voice.

I clear my throat as my conversation with Coach races through my mind. Should I tell her he wants me to be seen with her. Fuck, I don’t want her to think I’m with her just for the image.

“Coach showed me.”

She sucks in a breath. “Is he upset?”

“No, it’s all good.”

“Thank goodness. I mean, after what your ex did to you. I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“You’re not trouble, babe.”

“Well, I could be.” Her voice turns seductive, sexy.

“Oh yeah.”

“Sure.” More rustling sounds and then, “Want me to tell you what I’m wearing?”

21

Gina

It’s Saturday morning, Ash has a game tonight that I can’t wait to watch, and with a full staff, I don’t have to go downstairs to work. Voices from the kitchen pull me awake and I stretch to see that it’s still early.

Pulling on yoga pants and a big, oversized sweater, I make a quick trip to the bathroom and then make my way down the hall. It’s crazy. On school days, Zoe complains about getting out of bed early, on weekends she can’t get up early enough.

I stop and stand just outside the kitchen archway to listen to the exchange between Zoe and Grant. Wrapping my arms around myself, I hug tight as my heart nearly explodes in my chest. My God, Zoe is absolutely crazy about Grant, and vice versa. It does give me a measure of comfort to know he’ll always be in her life. I’m glad Ash assured me of that.

Honestly, nothing about my daughter calling my secret boyfriend’s father grandpa is conventional, and some might think it’s strange, but it’s growing on me fast. Crazy, considering how worried I was about protecting Zoe from any kind of relationship with someone who wasn’t family. I’ve come to realize that we are a part of the hockey family and I need this in my life as much as my daughter does.

Boyfriend.

Wait, did you just call Ash your boyfriend, girl?

My God, I did. I truly did, and I’m not mad at myself about that.

“Grandpa, not like that. You’re stirring too much. I won’t get lumps that way.”

Her words prompt me into action. “What’s happening in here?”

“Mommy, Mommy,” Zoe screeches, and I press my finger to my lips.

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