Chapter 46 Sienna
FORTY-SIX
SIENNA
My affair with the Bolts’ winger made the following week of travel more exciting than it had any right to be.
On the plane, we worked to find moments alone so we could press soft, urgent kisses against each other’s mouths.
We resorted to grazing pinkies during press conferences and sneaking glances during Gavin’s locker room speeches.
One evening, while he was out with the guys, I broke into his room and waited for him in nothing but his jersey.
When he returned, we stayed up all night teasing orgasms from one another.
That night on his couch, he told me he wanted to be my husband, and with every day that passes, I want it more.
I’m in love with him. I just haven’t told him yet.
Not that he’s said the words either. I just know it’s how we both feel. Before we can go down that path, though, we need a concrete plan for how to deal with our jobs and my family and Ollie.
Every night during the trip, he called his little guy, and more often than not, he’d ask to talk to me. Noah would pretend to send me a text, and I’d wait a minute or two before opening and closing the door and popping into the frame to say hello.
The two of them have become part of my every day, and I want a future with Ollie just as badly as I want it with Noah. They’re becoming my family. My oldest brother taught me long ago that family comes first, and that’s why my plan for tonight is an absolute no-brainer.
“You stole a plane?”
“I didn’t steal a plane.” I sigh. “It’s a Langfield plane, and I’m a Langfield.” With a sweep of a hand, I gesture to the private jet that I did, in fact, commandeer for the evening. “Ergo, it’s my plane.”
Noah chuckles. “I’m not sure that’s how it works, baby.”
As if the simple conversation has alerted him, Beckett’s name flashes on my screen.
Beckett: did you steal the Falcon?
Oh my god, he’s so dramatic.
Me: it’s our plane. I’m merely using it.
Beckett: Okay. For what?
Me: Ollie has a T-ball tourney tomorrow, and if Noah had to fly commercial, he’d never make it there and back before the charity event tomorrow night.
I bite my thumb, my pulse picking up as I wait for my brother’s response.
Shit. We’re still on the tarmac. If he contacts the pilot and grounds us, I’ll be royally pissed. It’s close to midnight already, and as it is, I’m lucky the pilot agreed to fly so late. I would have loved to leave earlier, but this was as early as we could get here after tonight’s game.
The tournament tomorrow should be over by noon, which means we’ll have no trouble being back in Michigan before the charity skate at six.
Honestly, it’s brilliant. And what’s the point of having all this money if we can’t help out our friends? Ollie is going to be thrilled, and that’s all I truly care about.
Beckett: why didn’t you tell me? Where is it?
I frown at the phone.
Noah bumps my arm. “What?”
I shake my head and give him a small smile. The last thing I want is to stress him out. I’ll make this happen one way or another. “Beckett wants to know where Ollie’s tournament is.”
Noah frowns. “Why?”
Good question.
Me: why?
Beckett: We’ll all come. You know nothing is more important than family. Besides, the Revs are always looking for new players.
I laugh.
Me: These kids are six.
Beckett: Never too early to prepare for the draft.
Before I can respond, the pilot comes over the intercom and warns us that we’ll be taking off momentarily.
I breathe out a sigh of relief. I guess he gave them the all-clear to fly. God, I love my brother.
I’ve always known that having our kind of money meant we could have almost anything we wanted. Deep down, though, I knew it couldn’t buy true happiness. That no matter how many houses or cars or jets we had, none of it would ever compete with having love and time with family.
Beckett was the first to really show us that. All of us, really. He and Gavin were so much more than typical big brothers. They went out of their way to make sure Brooks and Aiden and I always felt special and loved.
And Beckett doubled down on the point when he married Liv and focused all that love and attention on his family.
But today, money really did buy happiness. Ollie lost his mind when Noah showed up, and he’s been beaming ever since. That sight is one I’d pay millions to see again. God, what a moment.
“When are you going to tell your brothers?” Cat murmurs as the kids run the bases, warming up.
I didn’t know until we got here that Cat’s younger son, James, goes to school with Ollie and that the two play T-ball together.
They get along a whole lot better than Addie and J.J. Both are here today, pointedly ignoring each other. Eight-year-old drama is a riot. What I would give for life to be that simple again.
He’s probably pissed because she’s better than he is. She’s probably pissed because he’s a boy and will unquestionably get more attention on the ice because of that fact alone.
I side-eye Cat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She snorts and shakes her head. “Jay and I always did love the sneaking around part.”
Sometimes I forget that she and Jay dated behind her brothers’ backs, kind of in the same way Noah and I are.
Noah rushes onto the field and lifts Ollie over his head, the two of them wearing matching bright smiles. My heart pangs at the sight. I’d love nothing more than to be out there with them. To be more than the nice boss who made this happen for a player she respects and appreciates.
The sneaking around has been fun, yes. But that excitement is tarnishing. Now I just want everyone to know he’s mine. I want to be part of his little family. I want more.
Cat leans forward, getting into my line of sight, her jaw unhinged. “Shit. It’s more serious than I thought.”
I nudge her. “Shh, we’re not talking about this.”
“Not talking about what?” Beckett asks from where he’s leaning against the railing overlooking the small field. He showed up with all the kids, as promised, as well as Liv and Deogi. The dog is a massive thing that slobbers everywhere, and all the kids keep trying to ride him like he’s a pony.
“About Liv’s dress,” I say quickly. “I want you to be surprised.”
Beckett hums, his focus back on the field. “Works for me. She’s so excited. I really appreciate it.”
A genuine smile creeps up my face. “I appreciate you asking. Seriously. I forgot how much I missed designing.”
My brother nods like he’s more than aware of that.
The boys are walking off the field, warm-ups apparently over, when my phone buzzes, so I check it quickly. It’s an email notification, and the name of the sender instantly kills my good mood.
“What’s wrong?” Beckett asks as I scan over the contents.
I scoff. “Ezra is just updating me on contract negotiations.”
My brother turns to face me completely, his expression shrewd, like he knows there’s more to it than that.
I sigh, annoyed. I don’t know how to handle this, but I hate to ask for help.
I hate to give life to the digs about nepotism that pop up here and there.
Yet he’s my big brother. He trusts me, but he’s also more than willing to talk through any issues I have.
“He says Noah’s agent is asking for too much money.
He wants to trade him and bring on this new kid in his place. ”
Beckett crosses his arms, his brow furrowed. “We worked hard to get Noah. He’s the best sniper in the NHL.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “Thank you. That’s exactly what I said.”
With his tongue pressed to the inside of his cheek, he studies me. “You and Noah have become quite close.”
I shrug, playing it off. “He’s Hannah’s brother and my neighbor.”
The ump announces the start of the game, and my brother turns his attention back to the field.
“I think it would be a mistake to let him go,” I say, standing firm.
He smirks but doesn’t turn to look at me. “Thought you didn’t know anything about hockey.”
I’ve already dug the hole, so I might as well keep going. “I know enough to know he’s one of the best players Boston has ever had. And you brought me on because you trust my opinion, right?”
He finally turns, his lips twitching. “We did.”
“So I think we should keep him.”
With his mouth set in a straight line, he lowers his head. “That’s Ezra’s decision, really.”
“Right, but maybe we could help convince him?” I suggest.
“How?”
“Maybe at the gala? Have both Ezra and Noah sit at our table. Show Ezra the chemistry he has with Aiden and War. We all know that kind of connection translates on the ice. And it can’t be easily replicated.”
Beckett shrugs. “Hmm, I suppose it’s worth a try.”
I straighten, resting my hands on my thighs. “Yes. I think so too.”
Liv calls Beckett’s name as Deogi drags her toward the playground, the twins running ahead, and he takes off without a word.
When it’s just the two of us, Cat squeezes my arm. “Smooth.”
I glare at her. “Not another word out of you.”
Eyes dancing, she feigns zipping her lips shut, then turns back to the game.
Jay, who’s apparently the coach, is kneeling, with the group of boys surrounding him.
It’s cute how they all watch him, eyes wide, eating up his every word.
He holds a hand out, and the boys all pile theirs on top.
Then, on the count of three, they scream, “Go Hawks.” As the boys disperse, Jay stands and winks at his wife.
Beside me, Cat nibbles on her lip, her cheeks pink. Damn. After twenty years, they’re still infatuated with each other.
Their love is the kind I hope Noah and I will have. Despite how successful both Cat and Jay are, both would admit without hesitation that the family they’ve created is by far their biggest accomplishment. And at the center of that is their marriage.
Instinctually, I scan the fence around the field for Noah. With a pair of aviator sunglasses on and wearing athletic shorts and a black T-shirt, he looks beyond hot. A total zaddy. He’s on the sidelines, cheering for Ollie, who is walking up to bat.
Cat might be right. My plan for changing Ezra’s mind might not be the best way to go about it, but I have to do something. I’ll gladly make a fool of myself if it means my boys keep smiling like they are right now. If it means I have a shot at the happiness my best friend found with her husband.