Page 77 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

I’ve always known Alex was an incredible kid. Smart and kind, just like Auden. But, part of me was still worried about what his reaction to the news of his mom and I. Because I didn’t want things to change, and most importantly I didn’t want him to be upset that I kept our relationship from him.

The relief I feel that he’s actually okay with this, and even maybe happy about it? Unfuckingdescribable.

“Are you really fine with this? Your mom and me?” I ask.

I knew the moment that Auden said she wanted to tell Alex together, that I wanted a moment alone with him. Not just because I wanted to make sure he wasn’t just telling Auden what she wanted to hear, but because, for the past eight years, he’s been the man of the house. He’s been protecting his mom, putting her first. Even as a kid. And I needed him to know that I wasn’t going to be stepping in and taking her away from him. That I respect his relationship with his mother.

I love Alex, as much as I love Auden, and maintaining our friendship is important to me. Having mutual respect is important to me.

Alex doesn’t immediately answer; he sits back and crosses his arms over his chest, thinking about the question. “Please don’t hurt her.”

I’d rather rip the heart from my chest. I cherish our friendship and would never want to jeopardize it.

“I will never hurt her, Alex, I’ll never hurt either of you,” I tell him, turning fully toward him. “I love you both, and the only thing that I want is for you both to be happy, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”

When he leans in to hug me, I see the unshed tears in his eyes as he looks up at me, and my heart fucking squeezes. Fuck, I hate him crying as much as I hate to see tears in Auden’s eyes. I’m so gone for these two. They have me wrapped around their fingers, and they don't even realize how deeply they own my heart.

“I know my mom has made a lot of sacrifices for me, Ash. She does everything for me, and nothing for herself. I’ve never seen her smile like she does when you’re around. So I want you to stay around. I just want her to be happy.” His eyes are red-rimmed from crying, and the sincerity behind his words hits me in the chest.

“I know, kid, and I’m giving you my promise as a man, and as your friend, that I will never hurt her. I will do everything I can to make her smile. Both of you. I’m not going to step in and try to take her from you, Alex, or try to be your dad. That’s why I wanted to have this one-on-one talk with you, so I could let you know my intentions. Man to man.”

He looks down at his lap, nodding. As silence hangs between us, I worry that I’ve said something wrong until he looks up at me with tears fresh on his cheeks. “W-what if maybe I want you to be my dad one day? I-I-I think I’d like to have a dad one day. All my friends have one, and I always wondered why I didn’t have a dad. Do you think maybe you could be my dad someday, Ash? You’re already my best friend.” His lower lip trembles slightly, and that’s when I just fucking lose it.

My guy.

Standing, I walk over and I pull him into my arms. “That’s up to you and your mom, kid, but if that’s something you both agree to, then I would be honored to be your dad. When you’re both ready, I’ll be ready. I’ll always be your best friend, Alex, no matter what happens. You’ll always have me here because I’m never leaving. Do you hear me?”

“Okay, Ash.”

We stand like that for a moment, Alex clinging to me like a second skin, his tears wetting my shirt, and I realize just how much shit he’s been through, had to endure. How much they both have, and I vow to never let them go through it again.

From this moment on, I’ll be Auden’s anchor in a storm and the kind of man that Alex can look up to. And I damn sure won’t break my promise of never hurting either of them.

They’re mine. My family. Part of me can’t believe that fate aligned, and our paths crossed, but what I do know is that I’ll never let them go.

No matter what.

The next week passes as if…nothing happened, and that’s the thing that stands out to me most. Yeah, I can openly press my lips to Auden’s while she cooks dinner, or wrap my arms around her while we watch a new show with Alex on Netflix, but everything is the same as it has been.

We simply shifted quietly into a routine that included no longer hiding our feelings, and our life remained the same.

Quiet. Happy.

We did move my stuff into Auden’s room permanently, and then spent every night wrapped in each other once Alex had gone to bed.

I’m so goddamn thankful that I told her how I felt. Told her that I was in love with her. Made them mine.

My first game of the regular season is in a few days, and I hate that I’m going to have to leave them. Auden has work, and Alex has school, so it’s not as if I can bring them along with me, but fuck, I wish that I could. I know Auden’s worried about me being on the road, and what being a professional hockey player means for our relationship, but I’m trying to reassure her in every way that I can. I surprised her and Alex with new iPads, so we can FaceTime on a bigger screen than her tiny phone. I want to talk to her every damn night I have to spend out of our bed, and I just want to reassure her that nothing will change between us.

Hell, I even pre-set the DVR to record my games today to make sure they’ll be able to watch them, even if Auden has to work or Alex is at Callum’s.

I did get Alex, Auden and MJ tickets for the season, and I can’t wait to see them sitting in the sidelines, watching me play.

“I love this,” Auden whispers quietly, sinking further into my arms as the warm, soapy water of our bath climbs higher on her body. My fingers are in her hair, rubbing gentle circles in her scalp, while her head rests on my chest.

She had a long day today, and the only thing she asked for was this. To be close to me, for me to hold her.

As if she even had to ask.

---