Chapter 27
ALLY
“Do we have the snacks?” Lucas asks for the fourth time since we got back from the store—even though he was there and saw what we bought.
This child and his snacks; he loves them. Pretty sure he’d skip meals if it was allowed, so unfortunately for him, a lot of the snacks we got were a little healthier.
Although we definitely splurged and got Gushers and Fruit Roll-Ups because they’re delicious.
“Yes, buddy, you were there. I promise you we have snacks to eat while we watch the game. I’m just finishing this chapter, and then it should be time to get your jersey on,” I tell him, and his entire face lights up.
He loves to watch his dad play, but he loves to wear his dad’s jersey more than anything.
I get that though. I loved wearing it, too. But now when I think about myself wearing it, I don’t think about a hockey game. No. I think about being chased and then eaten out within an inch of my damn life while my ex screamed at me over the phone.
I only wish I had recorded it—all of it. Would’ve been a hot moment to look back on, Wilson screaming at me, me screaming Cooper’s name—pretty poetic if you ask me.
“Can I put it on now?” he says excitedly, and I smile as I look down at my book. “I know where it is!”
“You do? Go grab it then, bud!” I tell him, letting him scurry off to go get changed. I dive back into this book I’ve been reading that I just can’t get enough of. Who knew reading about a cop dating a firefighter could be so hot, but damn this book brings the heat.
A few minutes later, my bookmark is placed and the TV channel has been changed, right as Lucas comes running down the stairs, jersey on and a black shirt in his hand.
“Whatcha got?”
“Something for you. Daddy’s jerseys are dirty and mine won’t fit you, but Daddy has this you can wear, and then we can be twins,” Lucas says as he passes me the shirt. The soft, worn fabric slips through my fingers like butter.
“Thanks, buddy; let me go change and then we can sit down and watch the game,” I say, and I see the moment he starts to talk, but I beat him to it. “I promise you I’ll grab the snacks on my way back—you just relax while we get ready to watch your dad.”
His whole body seems to get excited the second I mention snacks.
It’s hilarious, but he gets up on the couch in his usual spot, grabbing a blanket and getting comfortable while I head to the bathroom to go change.
The shirt is so comfortable—very big, hitting me mid-thigh so the shorts I’m wearing make it feel almost inappropriate.
Tucking the shirt in, at least in the front, I feel much better about what I’m wearing.
He is definitely not getting this one back, especially because it smells like him, a masculine, clean scent that I can’t seem to get enough of.
When we were talking about tonight’s game, Cooper asked if I’d put Lucas down but stay afterward to spend some time with him once he got home from his game.
I’ve done it before, but somehow this time it felt different… and not in a bad way.
I liked the excitement I felt, the way the butterflies fluttered in my stomach.
Realistically, I know it’s because I’m Lucas’s nanny, and it makes sense since Cooper won’t be home until late tonight, but knowing I’ll get to hang out with him after his game has me excited, even if it’s just for ten minutes.
Maybe we can even play two truths and a lie again...
Heading out of the kitchen, I grab our tray of snacks and drinks and head back out into the living room to join Lucas.
“Look, Miss Ally! It’s starting! I see Daddy!” he says excitedly, clapping as the camera pans to Cooper, standing in the goal and looking handsome as ever.
I see Daddy, too.
“Are you excited to watch?”
“So excited,” he says, biting his lip like he’s thinking. “Are you sure I can’t stay up to watch the whole game?”
“I’m sure buddy. It’ll be way too late for you by the time the game is over. But your daddy did say that he would come tuck you in when he got home, so he’ll let you know how the game went then, okay?”
“Promise?”
“I promise. Now enjoy these snacks before I feel guilty and make us an actual dinner,” I say, and we both giggle.
Sitting back with Lucas to watch the game, I grab a blanket and cover myself before snatching up the bowl of popcorn and bring it closer. The game feels like it takes only a second to get through the second period, but at the same time, it feels like forever.
It’s been a battle, but they are showing up exactly how they were supposed to.
Florida lost, so everything centers on tonight’s game.
If the Firebirds win, they’re in the playoffs.
At the end of the second period, the Firebirds are up one to zero, and it hasn’t been from lack of trying on the Knights’ part.
They’ve had thirty-two shots on goal already, and Cooper has been working overtime, but hot damn he’s come through.
It’s so impressive watching him, the ease with which he can pivot, changing directions in the blink of an eye, yet somehow his eyes are always on that little black puck knowing exactly what move to make before anyone else would even know they need to make one.
Lucas was impressed too, although he didn’t make it through much of the game.
He was about to fall asleep on the couch at the end of the first period, so we decided to do his bedtime routine during intermission.
After quickly brushing his teeth and reading him a book, he went down like a dream, and I was back on the couch, snuggled in with the popcorn as I watched the rest of the game.
It was exhilarating to see, truly the most fun I’ve ever had watching hockey because I was so invested.
I wanted them to win for many reasons, of course.
I mean, my uncle’s the coach, and my sister’s the athletic trainer, so of course I want them to win.
But the joy I felt when I saw Cooper manage a shutout in such an important game…damn it was awesome.
I pull out my phone and text congratulations to the group chat with Quinn and the guys. They just added me to this chat recently—well, Quinn did—and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me smile. It may have taken years, but I feel like I’m finally finding my people.
Yeah, I should’ve always had my sister, but I can’t undo the past. All I can do is move forward, and I’m done wasting energy apologizing for something I’ve already served my time for.
As for the rest of the group? Especially Cooper? People always talk about how nice it is to have friends you’ve known your entire life, and how you should hold onto them.
And they’re right.
But they forget to mention that the people we find in our late twenties, early thirties…the people we find once adulthood has kicked our ass once or twice…those are the people who help us get back up and adjust our crown, reminding us that we can do the hard fucking things.
In my case, that came in the form of a single dad and his son. Sometimes I think it’s too good to be true. But it’s hard to be worried when Cooper seems so committed to spending time together, whatever that time looks like for us.
They won.
He kicked ass.
After turning off the game once the guys left the ice, I found myself moving from one thing to the next, anything to make the minutes pass faster until Cooper walked through the door.
I won’t say I was too excited to sit still, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing, and if I didn’t keep moving, I’d lose my mind staring at the clock.
I was so excited that I started cleaning, picking up the snacks Lucas and I had and making sure that the living room was cleaned up before moving on to the kitchen.
Once everything was tidied, I looked at the time and realized it had only been forty-five minutes since the game ended. Frig. I still have at least an hour until Cooper will be back.
Looking around, I decide I want dessert. Unfortunately, the only recipe I know how to make by heart is chocolate chip cookies, so I’m not going to be that creative.
Oh well, if either of the guys complain about chocolate chip cookies instead of some Oreo cookie crumble bullshit, then I guess I just won’t share my cookies with them. More for me.
After I’ve collected all the ingredients, I decide to be brave and pour a glass of bourbon for myself.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it the other night, and maybe it’ll give me some courage to have some more fun later.
Looking down, I notice my shorts are covered in butter residue, probably because I used them as a napkin while I was eating popcorn.
Ugh, that will stain.
Slipping my shorts off, letting my t-shirt act like a dress, I rinse them off in the sink before setting them to dry on the counter.
I turn on my favorite playlist and start measuring ingredients, letting my body move to the music. With every sip of bourbon, my body gets looser and looser, and before long, the cookies are in the oven and I’m sitting on the island drinking bourbon, waiting for my shorts to dry.
Hopping off the counter, I grab the bourbon and give myself the smallest refill, knowing I want to have one more when Cooper gets home.
I pop the cookies out of the oven and then hop up on the counter next to them because, hello, easy access.
I pull out my phone and start scrolling right as I hear the front door open.
Of course, the moment I think I’m safe with Lucas asleep in his room and at least an hour until Cooper gets home early and I’m officially caught with my pants down. Refusing to move, I stay perched on the kitchen island, my drink in hand as I wait for him to make his way in here.
It’s not long until he’s walking in, hanging his keys on the hook by the door. He looks at me, grinning when he sees what I’m doing. “You look cute as fuck in my shirt,” he says with a smile, his eyes gazing into the living room as he searches for Lucas.