Chapter 9
NINE
Brian
“Hey, man, you looked a little green at the start of the game, but you skated like the Mr. Whiskers who used to kick my ass. Nice to have you back.”
Bobby “Bonesaw” Brassard sat next to me in the locker room Saturday night, unlacing his skates and grinning at me as I pulled my sweater off, wincing a little as my shoulder protested. I’d taken a hit into the boards late in the second period that was gonna require ice and a whole hell of a lot of ibuprofen.
“Thanks. It’s good to be back.” Another twinge as I dropped the sweater into the bin to be washed. “Mostly.”
Bonesaw laughed, which sounded like tires on gravel. “Yeah, everything hurts a little more every year, doesn’t it? Good thing I’m younger than you.”
“By what? A year. Fuck you.”
I couldn’t stop grinning as I took off my gear and headed for the showers. Half the team was already there, throwing good-natured insults back and forth. We’d won the game, which accounted for the laughter and smiles.
“Hey, Fiskers, you looked pretty damn good out there for not playing for more than a year.”
Brennan Budgell wrapped a towel around his waist as he stepped away from the dripping showerhead, and I turned on the one next to him.
I sighed as hot water poured over my head and body, working on relaxing muscles I hadn’t used in months. Fuck, that felt good.
“Thanks. Feels more like a decade, though.”
The nerves I’d felt before hitting the ice for warm-ups had made my stomach flip and my jaw tighten. I’d tried to focus on my pregame routine, but for a few minutes, all my brain could focus on was making sure I didn’t trip over anybody or my own damn feet.
The guys gave me space, though a few fans banged on the glass, calling my name and waving. Which helped make me feel more at home. Then I skated by the Zamboni entrance and caught sight of two familiar faces.
Maddy watched me with wide eyes and a smile, dressed in a Devils sweater with my number on the sleeve. Since I knew she hadn’t owned one of those before we left the house, I assumed Rain was to thank for the gift.
I had a lot to thank the woman for already, not the least of which was the way she treated Maddy. Even though Maddy had still acted moody and distant a lot of the time this week, Rain continued to treat her like she did everyone else, with that smile and?—
Fuck.
Not a good time to be thinking about Rain.
“Well, you didn’t play like you’ve been off the ice for a year,” Bren continued, thankfully forcing my thoughts away from a certain brunette. “You always stick-handled better than most of the guys in this league. Frankly, you were a pain in the ass when you played for the Animals.”
The unexpected compliment made me huff out a laugh, which died when I heard Rebel say, “Still is a pain in the ass.”
Rowdy’s younger brother turned on the shower across from me, effectively cutting off anything I would’ve said in response. Probably a good thing, because I honestly didn’t know what to say to him. He’d been icing me out since I returned. I knew we’d eventually have to settle our old shit, but that wasn’t happening tonight.
We’d managed to stay out of each other’s way since I’d returned, but we couldn’t do it forever. And I don’t know if Rowdy had talked to the coach or what, but Rebel and I hadn’t had any shifts together all game.
“Hey, Jedi,” Nolan Badini yelled at Rebel from the locker room, “nice fucking goal tonight.”
Blowing out a breath, I shut off the water and toweled off as I headed back to the locker room to get dressed. The conversation in the showers had turned to Rebel’s goal, allowing me to escape.
I fucking hated that Rebel and I were still not talking, but a lot of that had to do with Rebel’s fucking stubborn-ass streak. I’d gotten over the damn fight years ago. Rebel held on to a grudge like a dog with a bone.
Problem for another day.
I’d just finished dressing and toweling my hair dry when I heard, “Brian. Good game, man.”
Rowdy took a seat on the bench in front of my locker, dressed in a suit that made him look like a legit businessman, except for the hair to his shoulders.
“Thanks. Felt good to be out on the ice, though I think I’m gonna regret a few of those checks tomorrow morning.”
Rowdy’s smile widened. “You’ll get used to it again. That pass you made to Weller was a beauty. You haven’t lost your touch.”
“Let’s see how I play tomorrow. I’m kinda afraid I won’t be able to get out of bed.”
“You’ll be fine. You’re not that fucking old, Whiskers. You going out with the team?”
I shook my head. “I should probably get Maddy home. It’s getting late.”
“Dude, it’s like nine-thirty.” Rowdy laughed at me. “Besides, I think Maddy and my sister already made plans for tonight, so you might want to rethink that.”
My brain couldn’t compute that immediately. “Plans? What plans?”
“Rain told me you can pick up Maddy at her place. They headed out a few minutes ago, with Krista leading the way.” Rowdy’s grin softened. “Krista was saying something about a girls’ night, but they were already out the door, so I didn’t get all of it. Rain said to stop by on your way home to see if Maddy wanted to go home with you, but if I know Krista, she’s gonna get her way.”
I got Rain’s address from Rowdy then headed out. I’d never been to Rain’s home, and honestly, I was curious as hell. I’d imagined getting invited inside Rain’s house at some point. Imagined what we could do all alone. I hadn’t factored in two kids being there.
Probably better to have chaperones so I didn’t make a fool out of myself and do something I couldn’t take back.
When I pulled up to her house, I had to smile because this place looked like Rain. It was just fucking adorable. A small Cape Cod on a side street filled with other small homes, each one different in its own way.
Rain’s house was stone, with a bright blue door and two large windows on the first floor, where light spilled out onto the small patch of yard. I pulled into the tiny driveway and parked in front of Rain’s garage. I could barely hear music coming from the house and when I walked up to the door, I saw Maddy and Krista dancing around the living room.
Maddy actually looked happy. Carefree. Like the kid she was supposed to be.
I didn’t want to walk in there and interrupt. Didn’t want to disrupt Maddy’s fun.
Dammit, I should’ve called before rushing over here.
Wind whipped down the street, the cold piercing my clothing and making me shiver. I couldn’t stand out here all night. I just needed to make sure Maddy wanted to stay. And that Rain was okay with the company.
I knocked on the door and immediately heard someone running toward the door. I was smiling when Krista flung it open, curls a wild halo around her head and her smile so wide it had to hurt.
“Mr. Whiskers! Are you here to party too?”
I don’t know how anyone could resist that smile. “I don’t know. Am I allowed to join?”
“Of course. Everyone’s allowed to join.”
Then she grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. Maddy stood to the left, staring at me like I’d caught her doing something she shouldn’t. I hated that she felt like she wasn’t allowed to have fun.
“Hey, Mads. You have a good time at the game?”
I saw her gaze go to the bruise on my jaw, where I’d taken an errant stick to the face, before she nodded.
“You okay, Uncle Bri?”
“Ooh, you got a boo-boo, Mr. Whiskers. Rowdy gets those too sometimes.”
“I’m fine. Doesn’t even hurt.” But it would tomorrow. I knew that from experience. The girls didn’t need to know that though.
“I can get you some ice for that.”
Rain spoke from somewhere behind me, and I turned to see her staring at me, her expression not giving anything away.
“Nah, I’m good. I’ll go home and put some on.”
“But Maddy can stay, right?”
Krista looked up at me with the biggest puppy-dog eyes I’d ever seen. The girl was good.
I looked at Rain. “Rowdy mentioned something about girls’ night…?”
“We’re gonna have cookies and hot chocolate and watch a movie.” Krista started dancing around again. “Momma said it was okay if I could stay. But I want Maddy to stay too.”
“Mads, you wanna stay?”
Shit, I knew as soon as the words were out of my mouth that they were the wrong ones. The look of guilt that flashed across my niece’s face made my stomach roll. Dammit, I didn’t want her to feel guilty for having fun.
“Brian, why don’t you let me get that ice for you? Mr. Whiskers can hang out for a while with us girls, right?”
Was that going to help or hurt the situation here? I hadn’t wanted Maddy to feel like I was pawning her off on Rain, but I wanted her to build friendships. That’s why I’d moved us here.
Even though it wouldn’t be permanent. But I had told myself I wasn’t looking that far ahead. I just needed to focus on the now.
The growing smile on Maddy’s face made up my mind. Krista started dancing again, which made me smile. Which made my jaw ache.
I raised a hand to rub at it while nodding at Rain.
“Sure, he can stay,” Krista said. “He can be a princess for a night.”
My brows rose as I watched Krista twirl in front of me. “And what do I have to do to be a princess?”
“Well, he definitely needs a tiara.” This from Maddy, who looked like she was trying not to laugh.
“And a boa!” Krista shrieked at an ear-piercing level then shot off like a cannon up the stairs. Then from the top of the stairs, she shouted, “Maddy, come help.”
When Maddy glanced in my direction, I gave her a quick nod and a wink, which made her lips curl in a true smile. And made me feel like I’d gotten this part right. But it left me alone with Rain, her expression making me wonder what I’d just agreed to.
“You’re going to look good in a tiara and pink boa..”
I walked across the room to where she was leaning against the doorjamb that led to the kitchen.
“I’m more partial to purple. Do you think we can negotiate?”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen. You’ve been taken hostage for the night by a tiny benevolent dictator.” She nodded her head toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you sit. I’ll get you that ice.”
She turned and headed toward the fridge in the small kitchen at the back of the house. I followed because, well, I’d rather be with her. No-brainer. Looking over her shoulder, she didn’t seem surprised to see me there. Actually, her smile widened.
I shrugged. “I figure if I stick with you, they can’t gang up on me. I’m afraid I’m going to end up with pink fingernails tonight.”
As she grabbed a reusable bag out of a drawer and filled it with ice, she said, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll look lovely in pink.”
“How do you know what color my underwear is?”
Her eyes flashed up to mine, wide and startled, and I cursed my malformed sense of humor.
Christ, I was an idiot.
Then she laughed, one of those deep belly laughs that made me want to kiss her so I could feel her lips tremble against mine with the force of it and drink in some of her joy. Instead, I forced myself to stay where I was and return her smile.
Overhead, I heard the girls running around then I heard pounding on the stairs, and finally, they appeared in the kitchen. Krista held a mound of things with feathers and bows and sequins. And Maddy held a delicate tiara with a smile on her face that I’d never be able to refuse.
Yeah, I was gonna wear the damn tiara.
An hour later, the girls had fallen asleep in a pillow fort in front of the fireplace and the TV, leaving Rain and I sitting on the couch, exhausted.
I held a fresh bag of ice to my jaw and a can of soda in the other hand. Rain held a mug of hot chocolate with enough sugar in it to keep her up all night. Then again, both the girls had had the same hot chocolate, and they were out cold.
“Did you secretly spike their cocoa with something to make them sleep? I didn’t think they’d ever shut off.”
Rain chuckled and took another sip. “You sure you don’t want some? I make a killer hot cocoa. Just ask the girls.”
“I’m not sure I’d be able to fall asleep tonight if I drank that. And I’ve got a game tomorrow. You sure it’s okay they stay tonight?”
“Of course.” She waved my doubts away. “Krista spends nights here all the time. Unless you’re worried about?—”
“No.” I shook my head. “Not worried. Not at all. I just know you have to work tomorrow too.”
She shrugged. “I like having them here. Krista is like a little ball of bright light. Always glowing. I’ll take them into town for breakfast at the bakery then drop Maddy off after that. If that works for you?”
“That’s fine. I’m just surprised.”
Honestly, I was kind of shocked Maddy had wanted to stay. Then again, maybe she needed a break from me. It’d been an intense week, with moving and starting a new school and all the shit that went with that. I couldn’t blame her for wanting a night off.
“She seemed to have a good time at the game,” Rain said, then covered a yawn with her hand. “Sorry. It’s not the company.”
“I should go.”
I didn’t want to though. I wanted to stay and talk to Rain. Hell, we didn’t even have to talk. I’d be happy to just sit and stare at her. But that would be creepy and weird, wouldn’t it?
“No. Please stay. Just for a little.”
She reached across the cushion and touched my arm, her fingers sweeping across the bare skin on the inside of my wrist. Heat spread from that point of contact, traveling through my body like quicksilver, and my gaze fixated on her hand. And then I started to imagine what her hand would feel like on the rest of my body.
Several long seconds passed before her fingers twitched, and she pulled her hand away.
“I know there are a couple of games on. My Leafs are playing tonight in Calgary.”
Our gazes met again, and I grinned. “Still hoping for a miracle, huh?”
“It’s gonna be their year,” she said, optimism in her smile. “I can feel it.”
I laughed because the Leafs hadn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967. But Leafs’ fans began every year with the same hope.
“Said like a true fan. At least Ovechkin got a ring so I’m good for a few years.”
“Still a Caps fan, huh?”
“Always and forever.” Her smile made me nod. “Yeah, I can watch the Leafs get their asses kicked.”
Her nose wrinkled just before she threw her napkin at me. It barely made it halfway across the cushion. “Like to make a little wager on that?”
“Sure.”
“If the Leafs win, you owe me dinner.”
“And when they lose?”
She shrugged. “I’ll buy you dinner.”
“You’re on.”
No way in hell I was turning down that bet. I won either way.