Page 75 of Off the Stick
I cover my mouth to stifle the giggle.
“He had you at his mad baking skills?”
I adjust my position in bed and pull the sheet up to my chin, allowing the thoughts of the sex I had with Dane to drift back through my head.
I had wanted to talk privately with Carm, so I called her early this morning before Lenni woke up.I was bursting at the seams to share all the sexy bits and details about my night with Dane.
And heavenly biscuits, what a night it was.
I clench my thighs together to rid myself of the ache that remains from the aftereffects of last night.From the delicious and dirty fucking Dane gave me.
This wasn’t the eighteen-year-old horny hockey boy I once knew.This was a man who’d grown and matured.Who had gained patience and endurance and learned some impressive techniques and tricks along the way.
I sigh.“It was more than the fact that he spent the day baking with us, Carm.Not only was he so sweet with Lenni, but oh my God, what he did to my body.I completely forgot I was someone’s mother and let that man do things to me that make me blush.He should receive an award for giving orgasms.”
“Oh, yeah?”She tips her head, a sassy gleam in her eye.“How many, Hal?”
“I lost count after three.”
She whistles.“Damn, girl.He’s come a long way since your first time.”
“Trust me, he’s as good with his stick in bed as he is out on the ice.”
“Atta girl.It’s about time you get to experience the amazing sex you deserve.”
We chat for a little while longer until Carmen says she needs to get ready to go to a study group, then make plans to talk later in the week.I’d asked her to come for Lenni’s birthday party, but she’s unable to get away right now, but promises to come visit over the holidays.
I roll to my side and set the phone back on the cradle, hoping Lenni will sleep in today so I can relax a while longer.Truth is, I need the rest because I did not sleep a wink in this bed with Dane.
The way he touched me left me breathless and restless for surrender of my body.He explored my breasts.My face.My stomach.My pussy.My entire body is craving its next hit of the Ax.I chuckle at my own humor and begin to doze off as I remember last night in bed with Dane.
37
Dane
Today is Lennon’s fifth birthday.
My daughter—who I just learned existed not even a month ago—is turning five.
The same daughter who still has no idea I’m her dad and thinks of me only as ”friend Ax.”The girl whose relationship to me remains something no one else knows about.Not even my parents.
I’ve become increasingly frustrated and impatient over this fact, but I haven’t pushed Halle to make the announcement.The longer we hold off, the more time that slips by where Lenni doesn’t know me as her dad.Time that she could get to know her grandparents and her aunts—my sisters—who would absolutely jump into their roles with arms wide open.
But Halle has her reasons for not telling Lenni about me, and no matter what I say to try and change her mind or resolve her fears, she keeps putting me off.
Her concerns are valid, but our perspectives different.I’ve done everything I can to build her trust in me and to show her she can count on me to be here for her and Lenni.Even if I have to move.
Because of my career, there’s always a possibility that I might have to move and won’t live near Lennon.But plenty of fathers—hockey players or not—deal with the problem of distance, and good ones make sure it doesn’t impact their relationship with their kids.
I wish I could guarantee Halle that I will always remain in Vancouver.If my career lasts as long as I hope, though, there’s a high probability that I will at some point not be a Viking.It’s just the way things are.Even now, although I’m currently under a five-year limited-trade contract, I could be put on waivers or simply be traded to one of the few places I’ve agreed to, and my contract goes with me.
But I’ve promised Halle that if that happens, I will always make Lennon my number one priority.And Halle, too, for that matter.I would move heaven and earth to keep our connection strong.
And that’s the truth.We’ve become almost inseparable these past few weeks and whenever I have free time—outside of practice, publicity, travel, and games—I spend it with them.
They’ve become my world.
And I’ve fallen—for a second time—for Halle.I just can’t seem to tell her this.I struggle with the wordsI love you.Up to this point, I’ve only told her I care deeply for her and Lennon.It’s a dick move and I know it.
