Chapter 21
GINA
“You are looking at the new official PR director for the Los Angeles Champions hockey team!” Haddy enters the house, arm raised, doing her pageant wave.
“What?” I hop up from the couch, where I’ve been swiping through grooming cuts for Spanky. “Congratulations! And I gotta say, it’s about damn time.”
“Well, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to take a full-time job with Lucy so small and nursing, but we were able to reach an agreement where I can bring her with me if I need to or work remotely.”
“You’ve been doing so much free marketing for them, I would imagine they’d give you anything you wanted.”
“The location really was the holdup.” She walks over to plop beside me on the couch. “It’s kind of a haul to get from here to the arena. I’m surprised the guys do it every day.”
“Blame it on Mav. He’s the one who insisted on living with us.”
“And bringing all his teammates with him.” She leans her head on my shoulder, looking at the pictures on my screen. “Are you still thinking about that Best in Show prize?”
“Not really.” My voice is quiet as I swipe over to pictures of pure breeds.
A noise comes from the crate, and Spanky jumps to his feet. Then he looks all around like he’s lost something.
“What’s he doing?” Haddy’s brow furrows, and she looks at me.
“I think Spanky the towel thief is missing his new lady friend.” We watch as he walks over to the steps and looks up to the second floor.
“I’ve never seen a dog pine for another dog before. They’re not even compatible breeds!”
My lips twist, and I think about it. “A blood-poo?”
“Gigi.” My cousin makes a barf-face. “That sounds like a medical condition.”
I fall to the side, holding my stomach as I laugh-groan. “It sounds like you’d better call 9-1-1, stat!”
“You made me throw up in my mouth.”
“Hang on…” I type on my iPad quickly. “I’ve got it—a Bloodhoodle.”
My cousin’s nose wrinkles. “That’s not much better.”
“Oh, I like this one… a Poohound!”
“No.” She shakes her head. “It sounds like it does nothing but poop. Or search for poop.”
“A Snooperdoodle?”
“Yes.” She holds up two thumbs. “That’s the one. Snooperdoodle.”
“The only problem is I’m pretty sure Ladybird’s fixed.”
“Well, Spanky doesn’t need to know that. I’m not even sure he’d be the best daddy doodle.”
“How dare you?” I pretend to be offended. “Spanky would be a very attentive daddy doodle!”
“He’s a spoiled-rotten rascal, and you know it.” She elbows me in the side, as she hops off the sofa. “I’m not saying it’s all his fault, but he is a lot like his uncle Mav.”
“Uncle Mav likes to praise him when he’s being naughty.”
“Uncle Mav is going to be one sad camper if he’s left in this house all alone. You’d better track down a dog for him before you leave.”
“Who said anything about me leaving?” I press my lips against the smile trying to curl them as I return my attention to the screen.
“You know it’s true. Now I’ve got to get back to my own little poo.”
“And baby, too!” I call after her.
She waves heading out the door. “See you in a few hours!”
Owen
Did you get the gift I sent you?
A huge smile splits my cheeks when I see his words on my phone. My insides have been all zippy and swoony ever since our brunch-turned-fight-turned-make-up slash make-out session in the park.
Yep. That’s what it was! In front of God and everybody.
Even though we weren’t exactly hiding our feelings before, we’re really not hiding them now. We haven’t said anything to Maddie just yet, but I know it’s coming. We’re just letting it all unfold naturally.
When the three of them join us for dinner now, I love that Owen will put his hand on my waist and lean down to kiss the side of my cheek.
Or he’ll put his arm around my shoulders when we’re sitting on the couch watching a movie.
Or he’ll reach up and hold my hand if he’s sitting and I’m standing beside him.
It all has me walking around with a goofy grin on my face and a glowy light in my eyes.
Gina
Do you mean the bag with the purple, white, and black jersey inside with a 13 and the name Stone on the back?
I grin, biting my bottom lip as I watch the gray dots bouncing on the screen.
Owen
That’s the one.
Gina
I’m modeling it in the mirror right now.
Holding up my phone, I take a selfie of me wearing Owen’s jersey along with my black leggings and white turtleneck and send it to him.
Owen
Hot. Can’t wait to see you in it tonight… and out of it later.
Gina
I can make that happen. (sly emoji) Although, it’s too bad Mav won’t have anyone in his jersey.
Owen
Mav’s got plenty of jerseys out there. Tell Shortcake I’ve got a puck with her name on it.
Gina
She’ll be so excited—see you soon!
The guys are on the ice warming up when we arrive a few hours later. Lucy and Maddie are in their Daddy jerseys with Gavin and Owen’s numbers on the front, and Heather and Haddy are in Stone and Knight. I’m in my new Stone jersey, feeling proud and a little shy.
“Maybe we should get Heather a Murphy jersey to wear?” Haddy’s lips twist as she surveys our outfits.
Just then a group of four females runs down to the plexiglass divider, jumping up and down and waving… and all wearing Murphy jerseys.
“I think Mav’s going to be okay,” Heather says with a laugh, nodding in their direction.
“Miss Gina is wearing Daddy’s jersey tonight!” Maddie stands on the seat in front of us, putting her hand on my shoulder. “Does that mean you like Daddy best of all now?”
My throat tightens, and I cautiously smile. “Is that okay?”
Her little eyes slide left to right, then just as fast, she nods really hard. “I think that’s super okay!”
She does a little jump, but I catch her around the waist. “Easy there, want to walk down and get your puck from your dad?”
“Okay!” she shouts.
I straighten, looking up to see Owen skating over to say something to Mav. His long dark hair sticks out from beneath his white helmet, and I hum a sigh watching him maneuver expertly across the ice.
The guys skate away from each other. Owen skates backwards as Mav nods and points, and I don’t know why he seems so much sexier to me now. I guess it’s because of everything we said. I want you… so much.
He turns and looks up at us, and when our eyes meet, my whole body heats right up. I lift my hand to wave, and a big smile breaks across his handsome face. It makes me laugh, and I take his daughter’s hand.
We walk down the stands, a little to the right of the quad of girls giggling and waving at my cousin. Owen skates up to where we are, doing a hockey stop and sending an arc of ice against the boards.
Our eyes meet briefly before he looks down at his daughter, holding up the puck.
Maddie holds her hands over her head, jumping up and down, and yelling, “Daddy! Daddy!”
He grins, holding the puck over the top of the plexiglass. I reach up and take it from him. Our fingers brush, and I swear it sparks.
Maddie continues jumping up and down, her blonde hair bouncing around her shoulders as she waves the round, rubber disc at him.
He blows her a kiss, and she pats her hand to her lips over and over again, blowing her own kisses back to him.
They’re so adorable, and I think about how long they’ve been doing this together. I think about being part of this family. I think about making this family a part of my own.
I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. My big, over-the-top dad has always been my most fervent supporter, the most concerned person for my happiness, the biggest defender should I need it.
Owen is all those things for Maddie, and I want to join our hands and be a part of this circle of love like I saw in my vision, sitting in the yard with that silly spirit-dog, watching the stars swirl above us.
Looking up, I notice his eyes are on me, and Owen presses his fingers to his lips before extending them in my direction. My cheeks heat, and I quickly do the same. His chin lifts, and he turns, skating back to the rest of the team.
“We can go to our seats now!” Maddie grabs my hand, walking ahead of me through the stands to where Haddy and Heather are waiting.
Haddy holds Lucy against her chest facing the ice, and the baby seems to understand at least a little of what’s going on. Her blue eyes are wide, and she has a big smile on her face as she kicks her squishy baby legs.
We’re at our seats, and I turn around to see Gavin at the plexiglass divider, waving at his baby girl. Lucy kicks harder and squeals a laugh.
“Do you think she knows it’s him?” I lean forward to follow her gaze down to her dad.
“I’m almost sure she does,” Haddy says. “I don’t know why else she’d be squealing so much. She’s a total daddy’s girl.”
“She hasn’t had much choice in the matter.” I wave at Gavin, who’s watching his two ladies with the most smitten expression.
My heart squeezes, and I think about the conversation I had with Heather not so long ago, what I want… what I hope to have.
Haddy nudges my arm, nodding in the direction of the ice. “Someone’s got his eye on you.”
Owen skates across center ice, and sure enough, his eyes are locked on me.
A smile breaks across my face, and I hold up my hand to wave just as the Champions’ signature mix of Queen songs begins.
“Gav and Mav! Gav and Mav!” The crowd chants around us, and airhorns go off as Mav skates around to slap the puck straight past the goalie’s shoulder.
The Jumbotron lights up with Make Some Noise, but it’s not necessary. The place explodes. Air horns blast all around us, and we’re all jumping up and down screaming.
They’re facing off against the Atlanta Frost, which is Mav and Gav’s old team, and they were keyed up heading into this game. My cousin is on fire as always, but tonight Owen has managed to get two pucks past the goalie as well.
We’re down to the final period, the game is tied, and I’m holding my breath as Owen flies across the ice in front of us. He only needs one more goal.
My hands are clutched together in front of my lips, and Maddie stands on the seat right beside me, her little hand on my shoulder.