Page 13 of No Pucks Given
Hoping to at least placate her, I said, “I’ll talk to him about finding someone else. It’s just for now since he’s been lost ever since Denise’s diagnosis.”
Shorty’s wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and treatments have been super rough. So the whole team had been pitching in to make sure their kids got to their activities, and they had easy meals on hand for the whole family.
“At least he’s been pretty easy. But no more. Shorty’s the last one.” Natalie’s voice initially became softer, but there was a real edge to the last sentence.
Nat’s bark used to be way worse than her bite, but now that Spence was firmly in her corner, she had a real bulldog to defend her, and she’d been emboldened. I missed the days when he was just my best friend. He’d been in love with her for so long that it had taken a little bit to get used to them being a couple. I’d slowly come around to the idea as long as I got zero details about their sex lives.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Just remember, I love you, Nat!”
I pushed the button to end the call as I pulled up to my house. Then, getting out of the car, I grabbed a box and started to work on unpacking on my own. Spence then pulled in with his truck behind me. Within a half hour, we were able to get everything inside.
Chapter 13
Siobhan
Life on set continued on without any issues. Duke would take me around the set and keep a watchful eye on me. He was easy to work with, and there were times I could actually forget he was there watching me.
When I picked Stephanie up from school, she chattered about her day. Apparently, one of the boys was being really gross by eating his boogers or flicking them at the girls around him. I was just about ready to redirect the conversation to what sort of homework she had today when she pointed and asked, “What’s that?”
There was bright pink fluorescent paint all over my house. The word that really was a knife to my heart was the word “Whore” in big swooping handwriting. I was terrified and unsure of whatto do next, but I knew one thing. This wasn’t the place for Stephanie. There were a few other nasty phrases, but they were all along the same line, implying that I was a slut and a whore.
“It’s nothing,” I answered in a shaky voice. “But we’re going to visit your nan.”
I was already backing out of the driveway.
“But it’s not my day to be with her. Why do I have to go there?” Stephanie whined. I should have reprimanded her, but I couldn’t. The biggest thing on my mind was to make sure she didn’t learn anything more about those nasty phrases written all over the house.
“Mommy has to deal with some things tonight, and you’ll have more fun there.”
I hated having to impose on my mother-in-law, but Stephanie shouldn’t be around here, especially when I would have to call the police. It was about protecting Stephanie’s innocence right now, not having a secret date with my boyfriend.
“You mean you have to fix our house?” she asked.
Stephanie was sometimes too smart for her own good. Which meant she probably knew what all those nasty phrases on the house actually meant.
As I drove over to her grandmother’s house, I used the dial-assist to call her nan. The last thing I needed was for her not to be home or be too busy to take care of Stephanie. Thankfully, my ex-mother-in-law picked up. “What’s up? Did filming go long?”
Thankfully, Gigi was used to the long nights of filming and didn’t ask too many questions about taking care of Stephanie. There was a part of me that wanted to say yes, but my little one would surely spill the beans the moment I drove away. “We had an issue come up at the house, and it would be better for Stephanie to be with you tonight while I talk to the police and whatnot.”
I was always honest with Gigi. Thankfully, she realized early on that Russell could be problematic, and she never took sides when our relationship broke down. I worked very hard not to bash her child since she was a major part of Stephanie’s support system when my career got in the way of things.
“Is everyone okay?” Panic pitched Gigi’s voice higher.
I closed my eyes briefly and cursed myself for not leading with that. “Yes. But I didn’t go into the house to explore what all happened.”
Stephanie piped up from the backseat, “They painted mean things onto the house in bright pink paint.”
“Oh dear. Of course, bring her over. But we just ordered dinner, and I don’t think Stpehanie will like it.”
“No problem. I’ll get something for her before dropping her off. Thank you so much for helping out tonight," I said gratefully.
While their son was a narcissist and a pain in my ass, his parents were amazing, and I was lucky I could count on them.
I turned my head up toward the rearview mirror and asked, “What do you want for dinner?”
“Timbits.”
I shook my head. I probably shouldn’t get her doughnut holes for dinner, but we’d had enough stress for the day. She could have a fun dinner. Plus, there were a couple of Tim Hortons with drive-throughs on the way to Gigi’s house.
