14. Shane
Chapter fourteen
Shane
White house, mansions, and fishbowls.
The rest of the day goes as I predicted—my family loves Aubrey. I could tell she was a bit shy at first, but she’s now coming out of her shell and joking along with them. I couldn’t have asked for anything better on my birthday.
I listen as Eden describes our vacation home in the Swiss Alps with enthusiasm to Aubrey.
She’s planning a family trip for all of us to go on once the hockey season is over.
Eloise, Phoebe’s eldest daughter, quickly steals my attention as she runs through the room, hiding in one of the corners beside the couch.
The kids have been playing hide and seek around our home for the past hour and seem to really be enjoying themselves.
It is a big house after all, which means there are millions of different hiding places.
But it does make me wish we had a game room for them to play in and go wild.
I know once the baby comes, I plan on having a playroom for her or him, but something for the older kids would be nice, too. I’ll have to look into that soon.
The chime of the doorbell sounds around the room, causing me to frown since I wasn’t aware we were expecting any more guests. But the fact that the front gate didn’t notify me of a new incomer gives me a pretty good idea of who it could be.
I stand, excusing myself as Aubrey smiles at me, following my footsteps a few seconds behind. “Do you have any idea who it could be?” I smirk with narrowed eyes at her.
“No, not one bit.” She bites her lip as her cheeks turn a pale pink. That’s how I know she’s lying.
Just as I’m about to pull the door open, my phone notifies me that someone is at the gate. I don’t take the time to look at the cameras to see who it could be and simply let them through, then turn the knob and swing the door open, revealing exactly who I anticipated. The Storm brothers.
“Happy birthday, old man!” Jessie, the youngest, slaps me on the back as he steps in then greets my girl.
“Happy birthday, brother.” Jason, the second born, yet tallest and biggest out of the three, comes in. He gives me a hug while also slapping me on the back, just like his brother.
When Julian steps up next, he keeps his hands in his pockets as I grin widely at him. “You know I do not indulge in that preposterous behavior.”
“Ah, come on. You can’t even give your best and only friend a hug on his birthday?” I joke, knowing he won’t budge as I widen my arms for him.
“We shook hands this morning, I believe that was enough for one day.” He frowns solemnly.
Sometimes, I wonder why we’re even friends. But he’s the greatest guy I could ask for, and I wouldn’t trade him up for anyone.
“Yes, about that, you didn’t feel the need to mention this earlier?” I raise a brow at him.
“I was given strict orders against it by a certain young lady.” He scowls at Aubrey who giggles softly beside me. “And for future references, Miss Ford, I would like to inform you that I am not fond of people telling me what to do.”
“I see the ice king hasn’t changed over the years. I’m surprised you even managed to get him out of his icy fortress.” A voice I wasn’t expecting to hear comes from behind Julian as he turns his glare on my ex-wife and childhood friend.
I frown, baffled by the sight of her on my front steps. “Hailey? What are you doing here?” I then face Aubrey with worry. “This wasn’t my doing, Angel,” I clarify, not wanting her to think I invited my ex-wife over for my birthday.
Aubrey takes a step closer to me, placing her hand on my bicep as she gives me that loving smile of hers. “I know, I invited her.”
My frown deepens. “You did? Why?”
“Because she’s your friend and means something to you, Shane. I don’t care about your shared history. If she’s important to you, then she has a place in our lives, certainly on your birthday.” She leans in, pressing her lips to mine.
When she goes to pull away, I slip my fingers through her hair, refusing to let her go just yet as I slant her head to the side and deepen the kiss. My body and mind are quickly overcome with emotions at this thoughtful, selfless, beautiful woman in my arms.
“You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, Angel. Our baby and I are so lucky to call you ours,” I whisper against her lips as I feel her melt in my arms.
Hailey gasps at our side as I unwillingly pull away from Aubrey and find her with her hand over her mouth, Julian no longer standing beside her. He must have headed in while we were kissing.
“Oh my God! You two are having a baby!?”
Aubrey looks to the both of us with a muddled expression. “You didn’t tell her?” she asks me.
I shake my head. This baby is ours, and it simply felt wrong to call up my ex to tell her. My Angel smiles with understanding then looks at Hailey. “We are.” She places a hand over her still smooth stomach and I rest mine over hers.
“Aww! Congrats you two!” Hailey hugs Aubrey first, then does the same to me as she whispers in my ear, “I’m so happy for you, Shaney. You deserve this.”
“Thank you.” I smile, letting go of her.
My phone pings again with a new notification as Hailey finally wanders into the house.
Aubrey laughs at my puzzled expression. “You should probably just leave the gates open for now, there’s a few more people set to arrive shortly.”
I do as she says and wrap my arms around her once I’ve put my phone away. “You did all of this for me?”
“You said you don’t really celebrate your birthday except with your family. I wanted to make your day special surrounded by all our loved ones,” she says ardently. “I hope that’s okay?”
“How are you mine?” I wonder to myself in disbelief at everything she’s already done for me.
“The same way you’re mine.”
We kiss once again as four more cars that I recognize park along the rest of the stationed vehicles.
“You bitch! You didn’t tell me you lived in the fucking White House!” Veronica laughs as she comes up the steps followed by her two men. “And here I thought I was fancy with my mansion. It looks like a freaking fishbowl compared to this!” she exclaims as she throws herself in my girlfriend’s arms.
“Thanks, Kitten.” Noah frowns at her, holding up a large closed-up cake box in his hands that does not look light.
“I mean, she kind of does have a point. Look at this place?” Gabriel laughs at Noah’s side. “That’s the difference between the rich and the wealthy.” He whistles looking up at our home before coming in to hug me. “Happy birthday, Coach.”
“Happy birthday,” Noah says next.
“Thank you, thank you.” I smile gratefully.
“Please, head inside. We’ll be there soon,” Aubrey tells them as the Hayes family reach the landing.
“Hi, Coach. Happy birthday.” Cecilia releases her son’s hand as she hugs me with a peck on my cheek, then goes over to Aubrey.
Silas steps up next with a wide grin on his face as he hugs me and slaps my back. “Damn, Coach. Doesn’t it feel nice to get old?” he jokes.
“I’m not entirely sure about that.” I chuckle.
“Well, at least we have a little beauty at our side to keep us young.” His smile turns to his wife who blushes slightly as she heads in with Dante.
“That I can agree to.” I look over at Aubrey who bites her lip as she turns red.
Next are Aubrey’s parents, who step out of Emma’s SUV. Andrew rounds the car to the back passenger seat and unstraps Gracie from her car seat. Silas steps aside as they join us at the entrance.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Thank you for coming,” Aubrey says as she hugs each, then looks behind them like she’s expecting someone else, and I know exactly who she’s looking for. “They’re not coming… are they?”
Nancy gives her daughter a mournful smile as she places her hand on her arm and squeezes. “I’m sorry, baby. Emma really tried. We all did.”
Aubrey’s eyes fill with tears as she takes deep breaths, trying to keep it together when she desperately wants to break down.
I’ve seen her like this more times than I’d like over the last two weeks.
I’ll find her staring out the window with tears in her eyes, completely lost in thought, or crying over some batter as she creates new recipes.
“Oh, sweetie…” Her mother steps closer to take her in her arms, but Aubrey steps back, lifting her palms to her.
“No, it’s fine. I’m fine… I don’t know why I expected… I’m fine.” Her voice cracks at the end, and I pull her to my chest, cradling the back of her head as she cries softly against my shirt. Her skin is prickled with shivers and cold to the touch from the frigid February air.
I freaking hate this for her—she shouldn’t be punished when she did nothing wrong but fall for me. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. And I’m sorry to say this, but your brother is being a self-centered ass.”
“Oh, and he knows it. We’ve told him as much,” Andrew says, placing a hand on his daughter’s back. “But we brought the little princess instead, hoping that might compensate a bit.”
Aubrey pulls back, wiping her eyes as she reaches out for Gracie, cuddling her in her arms. “Hi, princess. I’ve missed you so much.”
“An Bey.” Gracie wraps her little arms around Aubrey’s neck.
Morgan and Clay arrive next on the steps, with a baby carrier each.
Their twins are soundly asleep in the little seats.
It reminds me that I’ll need to start stocking up on everything baby related.
I know we still have time, but I want to be prepared in advance and give Aubrey fewer reasons to stress.
“Why don’t you all head in with the kids and get out of the cold?” I tell Aubrey, rubbing up and down her back. “We’ll help Burkley bring in the rest of the things,” I say as I notice his trunk wide open, probably filled with baby gear for the twins.
“Okay,” she says, turning to face me and kissing my cheek before they go inside.
Silas, Clay, and I make our way down the steps and over to the car. “How are things going with Ford on your end?” I ask as I take a folded-up playpen from Clay’s hands.
Silas sighs. “It’s… going. He’s no longer giving us the silent treatment, so that’s a start.”