Page 23 of Hat Trick
She frowns, deep creases marring her brow. "You done giving me a hard time?" Fuck, I love her sass.
I chuckle. "Yeah, baby. I'm done giving you a hard time." I watch as her scowl fades and her brows relax. "Thank you. For this. For Carter."
"I'm not a bad person, no matter what you think."
I smile at her. "No. You're not. But thank you anyway. Carter's lucky to have you."I'm lucky to have you.
Uncomfortable with the praise, she nods once quickly before saying goodbye. I can't hide the smile that creeps across my face as I get back on the bike. It's going to be so much fun unraveling little miss Emily.
Chapter thirteen
Emily
Since Gabe's anti-me war has come to an end, I've found myself really enjoying myself. I didn't like being rude or mean to Gabe, but he made his bed, so I was going to let him lay in it. He's the one who made me public enemy number one, so I was going to act like it.
After Annie's first steps, though, things at home have become so much more relaxed. I don't have to hide away in my bedroom or do those tiny passive aggressive things to Gabe anymore. I actually find myself really enjoying his company as well. He's sarcastic and crude, but he has a huge heart, and he's fiercely loyal.
And nightly cuddles with Carter seem to be a thing, now. He never takes it further, so I know it's nothing sexual. Just two friends finding comfort in each other. And he always sneaks back into his room before the other boys wake up, just to avoid confrontation. He and I know it's platonic, but Gabe and Luca might not understand it.
Annie's the easiest child I've ever met, and being with her all day is a joy. I can't help but smile when I look at her.
I already know she's going to give Carter early gray hairs. She's a beautiful, happy baby, with me and two other 'uncles' who dote on her. That's going to turn into a beautiful young woman, who knows her worth and won't settle for anything less. I smile at the thought.
The boys are in Chicago for three days for an away game. I'm not going to lie, the house feels empty without them. Annie and I do just fine on our own, but I miss them when they're gone. Annie does too. She doesn't cry, but she looks around like something is missing. Itbreaks my heart that she's away from her dad so much, but that's the life of a professional athlete. Every hockey player with kids is away from them a lot. But that means he can afford me, and their beautiful home, and a black AMEX I can use to buy Annie whatever she wants. Kids should be so lucky.
I put Annie down for bed before creeping back to the living room. We watched the boys' game after dinner, but after a bath and a book, she was ready to go down. I close the door to our room and sneak back into the living room. I still need to clean up from dinner, put the toys away, and maybe do a load or two of laundry. It seems I can't sleep after they play as well because of the adrenaline. I laugh at myself. I can't imagine actually playing if just watching amps me up.
My phone vibrates on the coffee table. It's a FaceTime request from Carter.
"Great game today, Dad!" I offer.
"I'm too old for this shit."
I snigger. Yes, he's thirty-six, and that's old in hockey standards, but not old at all in the real world. I take in his background.
"You already back at the hotel?"
"Yeah. I showered and came back here. I miss you guys too much. Is Annie down already?" The butterflies attack me again, thinking he was missing me too, until reality settled back in and of course he doesn't missme.
"Yeah. We had an exciting day, just not as exciting as I think you've had." I smile at the camera. "We went to the park and hit up the swings before older kids started getting rowdy, so instead we went to the ice cream shop next door and had our first taste of ice cream."
"What did she have?"
"Just a bit of my chocolate. Babies aren't really supposed to have dairy, but she loved the chocolate ice cream. I took a video I'll send you."
He's quiet for a moment. "Do you want to see her?"
He nods. "Yeah. That'd be great."
I pad quietly into our bedroom and flip the camera so he can see Annie. There's enough light with her nightlight to make her out. I let him get his fill of her before I sneak back to the living room.
His smile fades as I flip the camera back around and he looks down. "You alright?"
He looks at the camera again, and for a moment I think he's going to brush it off, to lie to me, to hide his feelings like he does for everyone else.
"No." He admits, before walking towards the bed and laying down. He rests the back of his head on his hand, his biceps bulging and stretching the thin material of his shirt. Seeing him reclined on a bed like this sends inappropriate warmth through me.
He may lay in bed with me every night, but it's not like this. I imagine him lying on his back in his bed, and me straddling him. Even the tortured look on his face right now I can imagine as a sex face, twisted up in pleasure. I clear my throat, begging the inappropriate thoughts to go away.
