Chapter 32
THIRTY-TWO
NOAH
Ollie’s never been on a private jet before, so, as is to be expected, he’s got a lot to say about the team plane. “I thought it would be bigger,” he muses as we stand side by side on the tarmac.
Hannah arranged for a car service to pick us up since both kids are traveling with us, along with all the luggage they require.
I don’t know how my sister did it, but she convinced Sienna to send her driver home and ride with us.
It’s the logical choice, of course, but my girl is stubborn, and she’s clearly doing everything she can to avoid me.
Even in the car, she chose the seat farthest from me and sat in silence the whole way.
Now, though, she pauses on Ollie’s other side and looks up at the plane too, like she’s seeing it for the first time. “I can’t wait to tell my brother you said that.”
Hannah giggles. “Beckett will cry.”
“But then he’ll want to get a new plane. And if so, maybe we can convince him to get one with a hot tub.” Daniel crouches down and holds out a fist for Ollie to bump. “Make sure you tell Gavin your thoughts on the plane size. Your uncle wants a new ride.”
Ollie shakes his head. “You guys are so weird. Who’d want to take a bath on a plane?”
The girls are already walking away, both laughing.
“Wait,” my son continues. He hasn’t stopped yammering since Jen brought him over this morning. He’s excited. “We have to walk up stairs? Where’s the long tunnel?”
I’ve always done my best to give Ollie honest answers, but damn does it get hard when he asks so many questions. “Let me grab our bags, and then I’ll explain.”
I’m tempted to catch up to the girls so I can maneuver my way into sitting near Sienna, but the luggage slows me down, and I’d rather not garner the attention of the guys or any of the coaching staff by running after her with Ollie in tow.
So I choose to take my time, trusting that fate will step in. Just like it did this morning when I discovered her in the elevator with Jen.
I only had a moment to celebrate before I noticed the apprehension in her eyes. By the way she was covertly studying Jen, I knew she’d run. Sienna’s good at that.
I’ll admit that her inclination to distrust me isn’t completely unwarranted.
Two nights ago, I told her I hadn’t been with anyone since her.
Yet my son, as well as his mother, who was standing mere feet from her, gave her reason to believe otherwise.
Until she hears the full story from me, she’ll wonder.
I’d happily tell her the truth. It’s just hard when she won’t talk to me.
I answer every question my little guy throws at me as we ascend the metal stairs and step onto the plane. Everyone we pass gives him a fist bump or waves, calling his name left and right. He’s beaming as we shuffle our way toward where I usually sit with the guys.
Every time he looks up at me with that grin, like this is the best day ever, my heart clenches. I miss him terribly when I’m traveling, so spending an entire week with him is an incredible gift.
As we pass the area where the coaches usually sit, Gavin lights up. “Ollie! We’re so excited you’re coming with us. Though my sister says you thought the plane would be bigger.”
Beside him, Sienna is already settled in. Two cups of coffee sit on the table in front of them, along with a leather zip-up folder, and the seats across from them are empty.
Ollie nods, his movements exaggerated. “Yes, sir. My mom always says that with all the money Dad makes, he should have a bigger place. So maybe rich people just like small things.”
Gavin throws his head back and laughs.
With a groan, I slap a hand over my face. Fucking Jen.
Still chuckling, Gavin points across the table. “Sit up here with us. The seats are a little bigger.”
Sienna hisses a breath, though she tries to cover it up by turning away.
I have to bite back a smile. Yeah, I knew fate would do me a solid.
Meanwhile, Ollie looks around. “There are a lot of big guys on the plane. Maybe you should put them here and we should go back there.”
Sienna snorts and elbows her brother. “I think he just called you small.”
With a fake glower, Gavin puffs up. “I may not be as big as Brooks and Aiden, but I’m six-one and two hundred pounds of muscle.” Then, with a glance at Ollie, he leans closer to his sister and mouths, “Oh, and I’m married to a twenty-seven-year-old.”
Sienna sticks out her tongue and angles away from him. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”
The two continue teasing each other as Ollie sits and I dig out his iPad and a couple of books. With any luck, they’ll distract him from butting into conversations for the next couple of hours.
Gavin may have found my son’s observations humorous, but they can be scalding at times. Jen and I have always encouraged his curiosity and critical thinking, but there are times when I wish I knew how to explain that he doesn’t need to share every thought that passes through his mind.
Sienna stares at her phone, pretending to be occupied while Ollie gets situated. Only when Ezra wanders over after the attendants have taken our drink orders does she look up from the device.
“Have you seen the winger from the University of Michigan?” he asks Gavin as he rests a hand on the back of his seat for balance.
“Huey Davis?” Coach muses.
Ezra smiles. “That’s the one. He’s got one hell of a dangle.”
“Can’t forget the flow either,” I chime in.
The kid is incredible on the ice, but his hair has made him famous. It’s wild how often SportsCenter plays clips of him walking out of a game shaking his damn head.
Gavin chuckles, but Ezra’s not listening. He’s too focused on Sienna. “What do you think about his dangle?”
She grasps her right wrist and rubs her thumb over the inside of it, staring Ezra down. She doesn’t cower. I’ll give her that. “I’m unfamiliar with that term.”
The GM’s smarmy smile makes my hackles rise, so I jump in to play down her response. “That’s understandable. I doubt any of us could tell the difference between shantung and silk. We’ve all got our strengths.”
The moment Ezra chuckles and says, “Yeah, I definitely know nothing about fashion, so it’s in my best interest to stay out of the industry altogether,” my gut plummets, and I know I’ve fucked up.
Sienna offers a fake-ass smile. “Then I guess it’s a good thing no one has asked you to, then. Now,” she says, straightening in her seat, “if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to use the bathroom.”
Fuck.
Ezra gives us a halfhearted wave, then shuffles back to his seat.
Across from me, Gavin puts a hand on his sister’s forearm and lowers his head. “Just stick to the plan.”
She stands and crosses her arms, silently waiting for him to move out of her way.
I should go after her. Apologize. Fix this. Tell her the truth about Ollie.
But a plane full of our coworkers and peers is not the place.
Then again…I take in my son, who’s enraptured by the video game he’s playing, headphones on, then study Gavin.
As if he can sense that I’m itching to get up, he nods. “You can walk around. I’ve got him.”
I’m not sure he’d be so keen to offer his help if he knew that my goal was to seek out his sister.
Rather than allow the guilt to settle in my stomach, I stand and dip my chin, then stride for the back of the plane.
Halfway there, Aiden catches sight of me and lights up. “Miss us?”
I roll my eyes. “Yup. Couldn’t go five minutes without you.”
Brooks opens one eye. “Shh, sleepy time.”
I mimic zipping my lips and walk away, happy to be given an out to go wait for Sienna. Once again, not only is the universe helping me, but her own damn brothers are too.
The guys have all settled in, most sleeping or watching a movie, noise-canceling headphones in place.
With as little downtime as we get, players tend to use flights like this to recharge.
Whereas the people up front, the coaches and managers and owners, use the time for business, going over lines, discussing trades, and in some cases, showboating.
Fuck, it guts me that I helped Ezra do just that.
The door to the bathroom swings open, and I use Sienna’s momentary surprise to my advantage and grasp her elbow, pulling her to the back galley and out of sight.
“What the hell are you doing?” she hisses.
I place my hand over my lips to quiet her.
Her eyes go murderous. “You going to try to kiss me again? Get my panties wet?” She scoffs. “I’m not interested. In case you couldn’t tell out there”—she flings an arm out—“I’m fighting for my job, and I’m failing at it. The last thing I need is for word to get out that I’ve slept with a player.”
“I just want to talk,” I urge. “I want to explain my history with Jen.”
She huffs, and I swear steam comes out of her ears. “I don’t care.”
She’s so freaking gorgeous, even when she’s pissed off and pushing me away.
But I can’t get lost in our chemistry. Not now. Not when I have important things to say.
“You do care,” I snap back. “And it’s important to me that you know the truth.
” I suck in a breath, waiting for her to shut me down.
I’m shocked as shit when she remains silent, scrutinizing my face, but I gather my wits quickly and get on with it.
“I met her before I met you. She was pregnant before I met you. That’s why I was on that trip.
Hannah sent me because I was freaking out over the idea of becoming a father.
Because she wanted me to have a few days of peace before my life got turned upside down. ”
Her eyes widen and dart around the galley, like she’s piecing it all together.
My chest tightens. Fuck. Is it possible I’m actually getting through to her?
Maybe not, but I take a risk and step closer anyway, cupping her cheek.
Then, voice low, I give her the complete truth.
“Jen and I were never in a relationship. I never felt for her what I feel for you. I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you.
” I brush my thumb over her beauty mark, wishing I could press my lips to it instead.
“And I haven’t been with anyone since you.
You have nothing to be insecure or jealous about. ”
Sienna blinks at me, her expression unreadable. Dammit, I wish I knew what she was thinking. But for now, I take solace in the ability to touch her. She hasn’t backed up, and she hasn’t swatted my hand away. That has to mean something, right?
“I’m not jealous. I’m—” She blows out a breath, her body going stiff. She takes a step back, as if she’s only now noticed my hand on her face.
Her jaw hardens and her glare returns, suddenly making it clear what she’s thinking. She’s pissed. Definitely at me and maybe at herself for allowing me to get so close.
“My entire life fell apart last year,” she says.
“I’m clawing my way back from a depression that I hope you never understand.
I lost everything.” Her voice warbles on the last word, but she pulls her shoulders back and continues.
“My company, my designs, my ability to do the one thing I’m good at.
Now, I’m finally feeling a little like myself again. ”
I reach for her hand. “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
She pulls her hand back and holds it up, keeping me in place.
“We can’t keep doing this. You’re going to blow up both our lives.
” The pain in her voice, the desperation, guts me.
I had no idea how difficult her life was while we were apart, and the thought of her suffering makes my chest tighten uncomfortably.
So when she storms past me, I let her go.