Page 23 of Balance

The girls scurry off to the kitchen, since ice cream obviously makes everything better.

“It was mostly the same shit you walked into. I have no idea… I am so sorry for opening that door. If I would have told Avery no…”

I shake my head and step closer to her, wanting to pull her into my arms. “She’s crazy enough to have broken a window or crashed her car into the garage until she could get through. It’s not your fault that she showed up. I don’t blame you at all. You were able to get the girls away from her and comforted them when they needed it. I am the one who should be apologizing profusely… I am so fucking sorry that she hurt you and screamed at you.”

She sighs. “It wasn’t the first time something like that happened, believe me. Most of the time I was screamed at for no reason, at least this one has a slight merit. I’m living in ‘her’ house and she thought I was your new woman. She obviously saw how close the girls and I were and it set her off. I was just fucking terrified that she was going to take them.”

I step closer, fuck it. I pull her into my arms, wrapping her up so tightly that she molds to my body. She sighs and relaxes into me, breathing me in, the same I’m doing to her.

Fuck, I want to kiss her.

I glance down at her, and her mouth parts softly. Her gray eyes are now blazing, heating, just like I’m sure mine are.

The doorbell rings and I groan, stepping away. “That’s probably Nolan. He offered to bring my bags to me. Come on, I’m sure he could go for a shake right now, too.” I wink and jog down the hall, calling out for the girls to not go near the door.

Luckily they’re all waiting in the kitchen at the island, Tilly is even already in her highchair. I blink at them for a moment and shake my head. Lillian is a fucking goddess, a miracle worker. A child whisperer. Or at least the Bale whisperer.

Mmm. Yeah. I like the sound of that. The Bale Whisperer.

I watch as Lillian stalks to the freezer and starts pulling out the tubs of ice cream before I turn and jog to the front door. I see Nolan through the glass, and feel my chest constrict.

He’s younger than me and single. Doesn’t have kids to worry about. He’s fun, is able to go out and party… What if Lillian wants to get to know him?

Why am I even thinking about this? I want her, but I don’t think it’s a good idea, right? Fuck. But it could also be incredible.

I swing open the door and Nolan starts tossing me my bags. “Who pissed in your juice this morning? You look like you want to strangle someone.” I frown at him and shake my head tossing my bags in the foyer.

“I’m fine,” he grunts and I sigh internally.

“Want an ice cream shake? The girls are still… shaken up about what happened with their mom.”

He shrugs and steps in, shutting the door behind him. I pull him to the side and tell him everything that happened, how I still need to call Andy and get some shit settled at the courthouse.

He shakes his head. “What a damn nightmare, bro. I’m sorry to hear that.” He glances around the wall and groans. “Damn… you could have said she’s fucking smokin’. I would have demanded to get over here sooner.” I nudge him in the shoulder and shake my head and he pouts. “Fine. I won’t fuck her.”

I snort and send him a look. “What makes you think she would fuckyou?”

He cocks a brow at me and straightens to his full height, crossing his arms over his chest and flexing his arms. “If I could get a goddess like Marie to sleep with me for years… I could get anyone.”

I laugh out loud and lick my lips, glancing away. “I’m sorry about her, man. I know you had real feelings for her. Did you ever tell her?”

He sighs and shoves his fingers in his pocket as he rocks back on his heels. “Nope. I think I already knew that she was in love with James. She was, is, just so fucking incredible. She’s just… different, you know? And so damn smart that it made my brainhurt. She can keep up with most of us on the ice, patches us up, and she’s a damn freak in the bedroom too. If I wasn’t so fucking lame I would have begged us to be real… But… shit happens, life happens.”

I nod and clap his back. “Just focus on hockey for now. You’re still young. And stay away from puck bunnies.”

He smiles and we head into the kitchen as Lillian flicks on the blender and the girls all cheer and wave to Nolan when he makes his way over to them. He’s always been great with them. Lillian glances over her shoulder and her eyes widen when they land on my team’s goalie.

I tilt my head and glance over at him. I mean, he’s not bad looking. I don’t think. But he’s not me. He’s about the same height as me and has a darker tan on his skin… Darker brown hair with deeper, darker eyes.

Damn. I guess he’s all right.

Lillian switches off the machine and starts pulling down glasses. “All right, boys and girls, this one is the S’mores Shake. Who wants a taste before we move onto Bananas and Cream?”

We all raise our hands and her smile lights up her face. Nolan and I step up to the island and we sit down, sipping on the marshmallow and chocolate swirled drinks that are topped with graham cracker crumbs. It’s fantastic.

It was definitely my favorite over the bananas and cream one. Not a fan. But I still choked it down.

“Ladies, go wash up and then we’re going to play outside. Maybe daddy’s friend will join us? He sure looks a lot faster and stronger than I am.”

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