Page 68 of Played
But seeing as how I had her in my fucking guest room because I couldn’t sleep with her in my own bed, I had no cause or right to do that.
I drop my gaze to her throat, where the necklace is hidden beneath her sweatshirt.
And damn if that need doesn’t flicker, scratch at me.
Fuck.
“He’s such a happy little boy,” Adina says, and I look across the table at her, faintly surprised and thankful that she echoes some of my thoughts. It drags me out of my fucked-up head. “That’s a testament to you as a father.”
“He’s been through a lot,” I murmur. “Sometimes I wonder how much he really understands. He was just three when he lost his mother. I think he’ll really grasp it when he’s a little older and begins to see the difference in how our family looks compared to other kids’. Still, between me and his grandparents, we try to compensate and hope he doesn’t lack any love.”
She nods. “He seems so friendly and open. I don’t know that much about kids, but I was one. To me, that’s a sign that he’s secure in who he is, and that comes from being so well loved and protected that he’s confident in himself.”
She falls silent, and her words stroke something in me, soothing a worry that’s never far from my mind. Even with the support of Nate and Caroline, being a single father is hard. Being unexpectedly and cruelly thrust into single fatherhood is even harder. And I’m always anxious that my inexperience and fumbling will negatively affect him.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
Again, she nods and tilts her head. “Speaking of his grandparents, I met them last night after the game. They brought Khalil down to the stands to see me.”
“Yeah, they mentioned it.”
An emotion passes over her face, there and gone too fast for me to catch and decrypt.
After a moment, she inhales a deep breath, and her gaze flickers to the remnants of the fish sandwich and fries she ate, before lifting to me again.
“I don’t think they cared for me,” she says carefully.
“Don’t take it personally.” For a moment, I considered evading the truth or dismissing her observation. But she’s a smart woman; she would peep that lie for what it was, and besides, there’s no reason to hide the truth from her. It’s not like she and my in-laws will be running in the same circles. This thing between us is just that—between us. Not anyone else’s business but ours. “They’re very ... protective of Khalil.” And possessive. “He’s their only grandchild, and they have a tough time accepting anyone new around him. Especially if they don’t know them.”
“Especially if that person is a woman.” A small smile lifts the corner of her mouth, but it bothers me. There’s nothing humorous in it.
“That’s probably true. But I wouldn’t know for certain, since I’ve never brought another woman around him, other than my teammates’ wives.”
Adina glances away from me again, and her throat works on a swallow. I almost tell her not to read too much into that, but I’m not that much of an asshole. Well ... actually, I am. But I don’t want to be that toward her. Besides, I made my position clear on what this is between us. There’s no need to repeat it.
“I can understand their hesitation and reserve. I can only imagine if I was in their position, I would feel the same.” She goes quiet again, and after a few seconds, shakes her head and returns her pretty brown gaze to me. A more genuine smile ghosts across her mouth. “When I first saw Khalil, I thought he was your mini-me. But after meeting his grandmother, I can definitely see he shares her features too.”
“Yeah, he does. Which pisses my mother off to no end, since I’m a replica of my father. She says everyone edged her out of her own grandson.” Her soft laughter joins mine. “It’s tough on her because she still lives in Halifax and doesn’t get to see him but two or three timesa year, when I take him for a visit after the season ends or she and my sister fly here.”
“Canada?”
I smirk. “You trying to tell me you didn’t google me, ma?”
“No.” She balls up her face. “Okay, yeah, I did. But,” she adds over my snort, “I only read about your career, not your personal background.”
“Okay.”
“I’m serious.” She laughs, holding up her hands. “I didn’t. Going farther than that would’ve meant ...”
I hike an eyebrow. “That you were interested?”
She smacks her lips, scowling at me. “Well, yeah. It meant exactly that.”
Chuckling, I return my attention to the play area, checking on Khalil. It doesn’t take long to scope him out. He’s found himself a friend—a couple of them. A little girl and boy scramble after him in one of the tubes, and their laughter and loud chatter can be heard all the way inside the restaurant. My son has never met a stranger. I’m both proud of and nervous about that.
“If your mom is back in Canada, I’m assuming you were born there. How long have you lived in the States?” she asks.
“Seven years. I was twenty-three when I left the Edmonton Oilers and joined the Pirates. Another thing my mother’s still pissed at.” I snort. “Hockey is serious for us Canadians. Hell, I have friends who stopped talking to other family members because they switched up on teams. We don’t play that shit. And for me to leave the Oilers for the Pirates? Yeah, I’m lucky I’m her only son, otherwise she wouldn’t even acknowledge me on the street if I passed her.”
