Page 31 of Balance

I nod and get possession of the puck and slam it to the wall before I skate towards it, shoving our ‘opponents’ out of the way. I’m not usually such an aggressive player. Ha. Maybe I am, just not during practice.

I chuckle as I slap the puck to Alexi, watching him swing back and sending it flying over Nolan’s head before he knows what’s going on.

I laugh out loud and tackle Alexi, pounding him on the helmet for actually making it past our boy. We all stand and head to huddle when Williams calls us in.

“Interesting plays today, boys. Go ahead and head home. The damn Bears have requested extra ice time tomorrow, so be in here around ten to weight train and get some ice time for about an hour before they take over the place. Bale, stay back.” I nod and watch everyone skate off, yelling as they make their way to the locker room. “How did it go today?”

I sigh and lean on my stick as I explain my morning. He knows about what happened two weeks ago. We had a meeting with Daniel to let him know what my lovely ex-wife was up to. He needed a copy of the restraining order that Andy filed and told me that he wouldn’t let her in.

So far, so good. Let’s hope she’s no longer in the state, the girls don’t deserve the shit she puts us all through.

Williams nods and claps my shoulder. “Keep me updated. Thanks for still coming in today.” He skates off the ice. I close my eyes and tilt my head towards the lights, breathing in the icy air, letting it ground me.

I do a few laps, leaving my stick in the center, just needing to clear my mind.

My marriage of almost eleven years is just done and gone. It’s over. I tried, fuck… I tried. I did everything I could to make her happy.

Jewelry, flowers, taking her out wherever she wanted. Letting her shop, buying her a new car whenever she stared at one in a commercial for long enough.

No idea what she did with it after she left all those months ago, but I imagine she sold it. I wouldn’t be surprised since she showed up in that little red rental car.

I head to the locker room after I wear myself out, dragging my stick behind me. The guys are standing around, getting dressed,I nod and drop off my gear in my cubby before heading to the showers. I breathe in the steamy air and let the hot water release the tension in my sore muscles.

Fuck, I feel so free. I want to swing Lillian around and kiss the shit out of her. Listen to her hopes and dreams, watch her with my kids… Fucking her would be the bonus.

Getting to see those curves without the fabric covering her. Damn. She’s going to be glorious, isn’t she?

I dry off and sigh when I sit down on the bench in front of my locker, dragging down my sprays and cloth wipes to clean my gear, tossing the washable items into the dirty laundry bin.

“How did it go?” James asks as he sits beside me. The rest of the guys circle around. I smirk at them as I glance around and shrug.

“She never showed up. The judge wasn’t very impressed with what Andy handed over. He signed off on the restraining order, temporary custody, and the divorce though. It’s over for now.”

The guys pat and clap my back, they all turn to head out but Nolan stays, leaning against the wall with his lips pursed. “You let me know if she causes any more shit, all right? You never lean on us, man. We’re here for you.”

I stare into his face and nod. “Same goes for you. Ready to talk about Marie yet?”

He sucks on his bottom lip and shrugs. “Not much to tell… We never talked aboutfeelings.I don’t think I realized I loved her until she and James actually got together. I think deep down I always knew they loved each other, they just ignored it for whatever fucking reason.”

I nod and stand, grabbing my sweats and a t-shirt out of my bag before getting dressed. “Come over whenever you want. Lillian’s cool, the girls love your company. Plus, my fridge is always stocked with beer.”

He smiles and moves to leave. “Thanks, man. I’ll get over it.” We walk out to the lot and I jump in my car, watching him peel out in his truck. He needs to work that shit out with James and Marie before he makes a dumb mistake. The three of them have been friends for years… It would suck to watch that friendship implode.

I make it home within half an hour, even with stopping to grab a few bottles of wine for tonight. I see the SUV parked in the garage so they haven’t left to pick up Avery yet. I jog inside the house and watch Lillian guiding Nessa and Tilly towards me to get in the car.

Lillian sends me a tentative smile and tilts her head, asking wordlessly how today went. I send her a thumbs-up and she gives me a quick hug on her way out. “Congrats, Morgan.”

I hug her back and lean down, breathing her in. “Thank you. I’ll keep the girls here if you want?”

She frowns and bends down, asking them if they want to stay with me.

Nessa and Tilly both squeal and race around me in circles. “Looks like it.” Lillian chuckles and waves, leaving us alone in the hall.

“All right girls, come on. We have a fun night to plan tonight… Who wants to go out to dinner with daddy and Lillian to celebrate?”

Nessa races towards the kitchen and squeals. “What are we celebrating?”

I smirk and set the wine bottles on the counter, tossing my keys beside them. “Just happiness, baby. I’m so dang happy.”

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