Page 23 of Make Your Shot
“Goodnight.”
I end the call, but just as I’m rolling over to put my phone on the nightstand, it dings as a message comes through.
Caleb
Thank you, Mia.
The corners of my mouth twitch.
You’re welcome.
Night.
Goodnight, Caleb.
I read over his messages once more, feeling a tug on my heart as I lock the screen and set it down on the nightstand. He’s a broken man who lost himself when he lost his wife. There’s no doubt in my mind that a piece of him died the day she did.
But that doesn’t mean his life isn’t still worth living. He just needs to find himself—to find that spark that breathes life back into his heart.
He just needs someone to show him.
CHAPTER TEN
CALEB
It’s a little after dinner time when I’m pulling into the driveway after getting back to Aston from almost a week of being away. I used to love going out of town. Traveling to different cities to play in different arenas was always one of my favorite things to do, until Estella was born. Now, it’s my least favorite thing.
Honestly, I love the sport and the money makes it worth it, but some days I consider retiring early. I’m not sure what I would do without hockey, but I know I would figure it out. Just like every other season of life, I would settle into it.
Not bothering to pull into the garage, I park the car in the driveway, then grab my duffle bag from the passenger's seat and climb out. The house is lit up inside and a smile pulls on my lips. Tella normally goes to bed around eight or eight thirty and I’m getting home just about an hour before she should be settling in for the night.
I unlock the front door, turn the knob, and push it open. The aroma of brownies immediately infiltrates my senses, permeating from the kitchen. Laughter and singing mingles with the soft sound of music playing. My curiosity is piqued, I’m drawn to it. I kick off my shoes, drop my bag on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, and follow the sound of Mia and Tella.
My footsteps are quiet and light as I walk over the threshold into the kitchen, and I immediately pause. Neither of them notice me and my heart constricts in my chest, my throat tightens with a lump. Warmth spreads, seeping beneath my ribcage.
Mia’s back is turned toward me and she holds her arm out, bending it slightly as she holds Tella’s hand above her head. Tella lets out a string of laughter, her hair swinging around her as she spins on her sock-clad toes on the floor. Her apron reaches down toward her knees, fanning out as she spins once more.
Mia’s hair is pulled back in a messy bun on top of her head. I allow a moment for my gaze to wander. It travels down the length of her body, over her yoga pants, to her feet before trailing up to the side of her face as she turns slightly.
Her cheeks are tinted pink, her head dipping as she sings the next line of the song, belting it to Tella. Tella laughs, releasing Mia’s hand as the two of them start to shake their hips to the beat. She’s so carefree, so pure. I watch her in wonderment, leaning against the doorframe as I continue to go unnoticed.
She’s beautiful.
Mia moves away from Tella, moving her entire bodyas she lifts her arms above her head, and slowly turns in my direction. Her eyes are half closed and as they drift across the room, they flash to meet mine. She stops in place, her eyes widening as her mouth falls agape.
A chuckle rumbles in my chest and I push away from the doorjamb, fully entering the kitchen. “Hi, ladies.”
Mia’s face brightens and a nice shade of pink breaks out across her cheeks. “Hi,” she half croaks out, pushing stray hairs away from her face. There must have been some flour on the back of her hand because now it’s a white streak across her forehead.
“Daddy!” Tella calls out, breezing past Mia as she rushes right toward me. I squat down so I can slide my hands under her arms and lift her into the air, spinning her around. She giggles, her feet flying around before I stop. I pull her close to me, burying my face in the crook of her neck, reveling in the familiar smell of her. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Tella,” I murmur, kissing the side of her face before squeezing her against me. I shift her to my hip and she wraps her arms around my neck, laying her head against my shoulder. I glance at Mia and find her watching us with puppy dog eyes—round and soft, filled with emotion. I swallow hard over the lump lodged in my own throat. “What are you guys making?”
“Mia loves to bake, so we made brownies!” Tella exclaims, lifting her head as she wiggles in my arms. I release her, carefully letting her slide down until her feet hit the ground. She grabs my hand and tugs,pulling me over toward the stove. “Look!” She points at the glass door.
Mia comes beside us as I half bend down. As she reaches past, her shirt lifts up her side and her hip brushes against my shoulder. My breath catches and I immediately look at the stove as the light flickers on.
On the middle rack is a pan of brownies that look like they’re about ready to come out. “They look delicious,” I say, slowly standing back upright as my gaze collides with Mia’s.
