Chapter 47 Noah
FORTY-SEVEN
NOAH
As soon as the last out is called and the little boys all scream because they won their first tournament, I’m rushing toward my son.
Throughout the entire game, whether Ollie was chasing after a ball or swinging and missing, he’d turn and look for me on the sidelines.
And every time, the way he lit up left my chest expanding.
The boys are going wild with excitement, chanting and celebrating their win.
But my kid would have been just as happy if he’d lost today.
My presence here was enough for him. But the smile on his face now?
It makes me happier than any win I’ve ever had a hand in securing.
I’m glad I’m here. Ecstatic, really. And I have Sienna to thank for it.
On instinct, I reach for her hand, eager for her to join me as I rush to hug my son. But realization slams into me, and I pull back just as our fingers brush.
We can’t touch. I can’t show her or anyone here how much she means to me. And that hits in a way I’m not comfortable with.
My disappointment over that is momentarily forgotten as Ollie launches himself at me.
“Daddy, we won! I can’t believe you’re here.
This is the bestest day ever. Can we get pizza?
And ice cream?” His eyes are wide and his cheeks are flushed with exertion and joy.
“Can we go to the park? And then tonight, can we watch a movie?” He doesn’t even pause to catch a breath before turning to Jen.
“I can sleep at Dad’s tonight, right? Because he’s here and he’s never here for my games. Please, Mom?”
My heart cracks at the desperation in his voice. My son shouldn’t have to beg to spend time with me.
Fortunately, Jen is ready with an answer, saving me from having to disappoint him before I disappear again. “Sorry, bud. We promised Nana we’d come over for dinner, remember? But Dad is picking you up tomorrow. I’m sure he’d be happy to take you for ice cream then.”
Ollie’s face falls. “Nana’s house smells like moldy cheese.”
I pull him in tight and whisper, “We can have all the ice cream and watch Spiderman tomorrow night.”
He gasps and rips himself from my hold. “Sienna’s here. Can she come over for ice cream and Spiderman too?”
Jen raises a brow, tamping down on a smile.
Jen may be the only person who knows exactly who Sienna is to me.
As soon as I realized that she would be spending time with Ollie, I told Jen about her, as well as my hopes for the future.
We agreed years ago that if I dated anyone seriously, I’d talk to Jen before introducing that person to him as my girlfriend.
“We can ask her,” I tell him.
With a fist pump, he darts for her. When he flings himself at her and she wraps her arms around him, my smile grows.
“She flew you home to be here?” Jen stares at the two of them, a genuine smile on her face.
Relief washes over me. We may have had the conversation, but this is the first true interaction Jen has witnessed. “Yeah, she knew how much I wanted to be here.”
“That’s sweet.” She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “Just—”
The reticence in her tone causes dread to build in my gut, but she puts me out of my misery quickly.
“Just be careful. Ollie is really attached, and it looks like you are too.”
“As far as he knows, she’s just my neighbor and my friend.”
Jen huffs. “Nothing gets past that boy.”
With an uncomfortable laugh, I drag my hand down my face. She’s not wrong. “Got it.”
“I want this to work out for you,” she says, her tone softer. “But until you guys go public and have really tested this relationship, I’d rather he not get any more attached. It’ll hurt him if it doesn’t work out.”
Frustration mixes with understanding. I get it, but…
“There’s no testing this relationship. She’s it.
She’s the one I’m going to marry. I didn’t say a word when you told me you planned to marry Ted and raise my child with him.
I jumped through the hoops you set to make it work and I moved halfway across the country so he could accept a job offer. ”
Her eyes go wide and she sputters.
Before she can put her thoughts into words, I hold up a hand. “I’m happy we’re here. Boston is my home too. But so is Sienna. And for the last six years, I’ve proven to you that I’d do anything to keep Ollie well adjusted, happy, and safe. The last thing I’d ever want is for him to get hurt.”
“I know.” She gives me a conciliatory smile.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. And for the record, I’m happy you’re happy.
She seems wonderful. Truly.” Her gaze turns to the field where Sienna and Ollie are chatting.
“I’ll take him for pizza and ice cream with the team and have Ted take Lily to dinner at his mother’s. ”
“Thank you.” I blow out a breath, relieved that he won’t be completely let down. That he won’t miss out on anything more. Then, while Jen wanders off to find her husband, I stride toward my two favorite people.
My heart twists as they smile and chat easily with one another. Ollie is beyond smitten with Sienna. Just like me.
Beckett beats me to them, his oversized dog dragging him around and stopping to lick Ollie’s face. My kid laughs and pushes at the beast unsuccessfully, so Sienna kneels and helps him escape. As Beckett tugs on the leash, his eyes stay fixed on the two of them, his expression thoughtful.
Jen’s right. We need to get ahead of this. We need to tell her brothers and hope like hell they’re okay with our relationship. Because I’m not giving up any of this. We’ll be a family, Sienna and Ollie and me.
It’s the only future I’ll accept.
After the charity skate, we’re forced to spend the next few hours rubbing elbows with donors. The whole lot of them are pompous assholes who donated so they’d feel important rather than because they actually want to do any good.
At least Sienna is here too. If I can’t be with my son tonight, then I might as well show Ezra I’m a team player and want to remain one.
I’ve been distracted all evening, though. After the comment Jen made this afternoon, I’m fixated on coming up with a plan to move my relationship with Sienna to the next phase.
The one where people actually know we’re in a relationship.
My phone buzzes, and when a text from the woman who’s constantly on my mind pops up, I can’t help the smile that hits my lips. Without reading it, I scan the room, looking for her. When I don’t find her, I frown and tilt the phone close before unlocking it.
Sienna: Wanna know a secret?
The smile is back again.
Me: From you? Always, butterfly.
Sienna: I’m feeling a little needy. And cold.
A shot of lust rushes through me, heating my blood and making my cock swell.
Me: Needy for what?
Her answer comes in the form of a photo. Hissing, I study it, memorizing every detail.
Somewhere in this hotel, there’s a hot tub.
And Sienna is in it. The image is dark, making it impossible to see beneath the bubbles.
She’s wearing a teasing smile, her hair piled on top of her head, with little wisps of it clinging to her damp skin.
Her cheeks are flushed and her green eyes glitter with all sorts of naughty thoughts. Fuck, I need to find her.
“Long day, huh?” Ezra’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Not only because I don’t like the guy, but because he’s getting in the way of my plans to leave and finally get to my girl.
But I force a grin and play the game. “Yup.”
“You seemed a little off on the ice tonight. What did you think of Davis?”
I bite back a scoff. Is this guy really asking me what I think of my potential replacement?
I’m not an idiot. I know they’re considering drafting him, and they haven’t accepted the terms for my contract extension.
After today, it’s clear that if I want to remain a Bolt, I need to listen to my agent when he tells me to lower my salary expectations.
“He’s a good player,” I concede. “A little wet behind the ears, but as long as he doesn’t let the noise surrounding him get to his head, he’ll get the hang of it.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.” Ezra slides his hands into his pockets.
“I’ll let you get to bed. Going back and forth to Boston must have taken a lot out of you.
” He lifts his chin, feigning curiosity.
“How’d you manage that anyway? Seems like flying commercial would have been tricky in such a short window. ”
I keep my expression neutral. He clearly knows I took the Langfield jet and he’s either trying to catch me in a lie or force me to explain why Sienna would arrange that for me. “You’re right. I’m beat. But I’d do anything for my son and for the Bolts, so I’m happy I could make it work.”
Ezra’s brows arch in surprise, though there’s calculation there, like he’s not happy that I sidestepped his question. “Have a good night.”
I book it out of there, keeping my head down so I don’t catch anyone’s eye. The last thing I need is to have to lie to Brooks or Aiden or Gavin about where I’m off to. Can’t exactly tell them I’m on my way to do very dirty things to their sister in a hot tub.
As soon as I hit the lobby, I pull out my phone.
Me: Where is this hot tub?
Sienna: The roof.
I don’t respond. She knows I’m coming for her.
“You just going to stare at me, or you going to get in here?”
Her smirk is just as sassy as her tone as she pushes up onto her knees, revealing a red bikini top reminiscent of the one she wore that first day in the Bahamas. Fucking perfection.
I pull my T-shirt over my head and slip off my shoes. I stopped by my room on the way up and changed into a pair of board shorts.
“I don’t know. We’re staying in a hotel with the team you oversee and I play for. You think this is a good idea?” Even as I remind her of why I shouldn’t get in with her, I walk toward the bubbling water.