Chapter 34
Chapter
Lennon
The engagement party wound down early—another reason Coach had hosted it at the arena, no doubt. We knew what was at stake: our chance to win the championship. Life continued to ebb and flow around us, but we needed to stay focused on that goal.
The next week passed quickly—even with my mom’s last round of chemo—thanks to watching film and lots of practice and weightlifting. I hated to admit it, but I could feel the bruises from my tumble to the ice more than I would have ten years ago. The weights weren’t a problem, and my overall conditioning was excellent—I could beat the rookies in sprints. But as this season pushed into the playoffs, I was feeling my age, and I wasn’t sure how many more seasons I had in me. I wasn’t sure how many more I wanted to play. What a change of mindset this year had wrought. I was starting to see what retirement could look like, what I wanted it to be—more time with my family, more time with Vivi.
I hung up the phone as I settled back on my mom’s couch. Vivi had been getting Mom ready for bed. Mom hated that she was so weak after her treatment, but Vivian had a gentle, no-nonsense way of working through ordinary tasks that made them more palatable.
“Hey, fiancé,” she said as she plopped on the couch next to me. She wore a pair of mid-calf leggings and a flowy tank top. She looked relaxed, and I liked her that way. She leaned closer and kissed my throat then wrapped an arm over my chest and threw her leg over my thighs. I couldn’t help but grin at having Vivian so close.
“Who were you talking to?” she asked.
“First, how’s Mom? Really?”
Vivi patted my chest as she nuzzled into my neck. “She’s good , Lennon. She’s doing everything she can to get back to healthy, and it really seems to be working.”
I blew out a breath. “So…Dr. Carmichael wasn’t overstating her current situation?”
She shook her head. “She wasn’t. I think your mom’s going to live a healthy life for a long time.”
“She’s been so upset since her hair fell out…”
“I know. That’s a hard part of this process.” Vivi squeezed me. “It’ll grow back, though. And your mom won’t have any cancer cells left.”
I took a deep breath, easing tension out of my shoulders. “You’re right. I know you are. It’s just…”
“She’s your mother, and you’re worried about her.”
“Exactly.”
We were quiet for a while. I kissed her temple because I could. “I was talking to Camden Grace.”
Her eyes went wide. “Really?” she breathed.
I frowned, not liking how dreamy her expression had become. “Do you like him? Because he’s happily married.”
Vivi grinned. “I think there are many women and probably quite a few men who enjoy looking at him. Plus, his voice is very pretty, too.” She flicked my lower lip, making me aware I was pouting. “Stop that. I love you, and I’m very, very happy with you. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t fan-girl all over Camden Grace.”
“Now I’m not sure I want to work with him.”
“I think you want to work with him,” Vivian countered.
“Yes. You’re right. He called now, before we’re in the playoffs, to bounce off some ideas.”
“So…where will you fit into all of this?” she asked.
“Wherever I want,” I told her. “He’s building the apparatus. Then I get to decide if I want to take over a leadership role or simply be a spokesperson. Either way, I get to do something worthwhile and improve lives of dogs and people.”
She snuggled against my side. At least it no longer hurt too much. That was key since we had a game tomorrow. “That’s so cool. Do you know what you want to do?”
“Not yet. I figure you and I need to work that out.” I hesitated. “I have one more year on my current contract. Then I can retire.”
She sat up and tucked her legs underneath her. “Is that something you want?”
“Six months ago, no. Now…” I sighed as I scrubbed my hand over my face. “Practices have gotten harder. I’m taking longer to recover.”
“Aw. Poor big man. Are those bruises bothering you?”
“Yeah,” I grumbled.
“I won’t say you should have iced it?—”
“Thanks. I love you,” I said.
She leaned forward and kissed my cheek. With my beard shorter, I could feel the heat and softness of her lips. I liked the sensation. A lot. There were many firsts, seconds, and fiftieth times with Vivi that I liked a lot.
“Lie down, and I’ll give you a massage,” she said.
“That could lead somewhere naughty,” I said even as I stood and helped her up so I could lie down on the couch. She settled her cute little butt on mine, and I smiled, liking the idea of Vivi straddling me.
“But it won’t because we’re at your mom’s place,” she said sternly.
I sighed because she was right. Then I moaned as she slid her hands down my back to the knotted contusion on my ribs. It didn’t hurt, exactly, but I needed a moment to breathe through to the release of tension. “Oh, I meant to tell you. That house I was interested in is definitely going up for sale.”
Her hands stilled, resting lightly on my sides. “What?”
“We can go look at it tomorrow morning, before I have to head in for the game. It’s in Cormac’s neighborhood, near Hana, too. The place is bigger than here with a bigger yard to get you that dog you don’t think I know you’re stalking.”
Instead of denying it as I’d expected, she lay along my back, the heat from her body warming my muscles further. She rested her cheek on my uninjured shoulder and wrapped her arms on either side of my torso. I loved her affectionate nature, and I realized she hadn’t been able to express her love for anyone this way in a long time.
“You think the puppy would get along with Belladonna?” she asked.
“Of course.” I lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. She closed her fingers around it, making me smile. It was the little things, really, that made me so damn happy.
In a quick move, I reared up, snagged her from my back and tucked her gently into the cushions before settling atop her. I shifted my hips so my erection pressed against her softness. “Now this is absolutely the best massage of my life.”
She wound her arms around my neck. “Not going there . You were talking bigger houses and yards and fur babies.”
I rocked against her softness. “I’ll give you any type of baby you want, Vivi.” I kissed her long and slow and sweet—the way she deserved.
“I…just want you right now,” she said.
I chuckled as I trailed my lips down her neck. “You’re going to be a great mom.”
“I’ll start with a puppy. I can’t mess that up too badly because I’ll love her and feed her, and she’ll love me back.”
“I’ll help you with anything you want.”
She tilted my head up so I met her gaze. “I know.”
“So…bigger house, adopting a dog together, planning our future post-retirement.”
“Oh, we are, are we?” She rolled her hips up to tease me.
“Damn straight we are.” I turned serious. “I want us to be set up—you doing what you love, us finding new hobbies and passions together.” I stilled because we really couldn’t take this any further right now. “I want to be involved in the day-to-day work of the foundation,” I told her.
She smiled at me, all soft and full of love. “That’s a wonderful idea, Lennon. Just wonderful.”