CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Cal
The hockey arena is a cacophony of chants and cheers, but over the noise I can still make out the clicking of sticks as the boys try to force the puck out of possession. That, along with the swishing of the skates on the ice and the clanking of the puck against the boards, are the best sounds in the world . . . well, aside from the little noises my girl made a few weeks back in Chicago. My mind is invaded by thoughts of Aspen’s sweet, seductive sounds and the way she looked at me through the curtain of her long, thick lashes as I laid her on that bed in the hotel room and explored the curves of her body with my hands and mouth. Fuck. I need to redirect my thoughts, pronto. The last thing I need is to be standing up in a crowd of parents, cheering for Tuck’s team with a raging hard-on.
I cup my hands around my mouth. “Let’s go, Tuck!” I yell out and clap as he takes possession of the puck and moves it down the left side of the ice. I take my seat next to Aspen, with her mom on her other side. Katherine listed her house with an enticing price to sell quickly. As soon as someone made an offer, she booked her flight. She flew in today and is here to surprise Tuck.
Tuck dekes, cuts, then passes to Williams, a defenseman. Williams passes the puck to Elija, the team’s right winger. Elija rounds the crease but is blocked by the opposing side, who gains possession. The puck is passed back and forth until it ends up on the weak side of the opponent’s defense.Zimmerman, the left winger, breaks out, then passes back to Tuck. Who knew a little league game would have me on the edge of my seat?
“I’m surprised your boy isn’t a goalie,” Aspen says to Ivan as he cradles his new baby girl in his arms. Aspen tosses her hand sanitizer back into her purse, then holds her hands out for Ivan to pass the baby. He carefully places Ivy into Aspen’s waiting arms, and fuck me, if seeing her cradling a baby doesn’t give me insight into what our future could look like. Aspen and Katherine fuss over Ivy as Aspen runs a finger along the baby’s forehead, then down her cute, pert little nose. A longing creates a tightness in my chest. I want to be a family with Aspen and Tuck.
“Trust me, Ivan tried,” Evie cuts in with a chuckle, pulling me from my daydream. “Elija kept skating out of the crease and into the middle of the ice to get to the puck, leaving the goal wide open. Plus, he’s too aggressive to be a goalie.”
My head jerks back to the ice when someone beside me gasps. “Oh, shit,” Ivan curses.
My brows pull down into a tight frown of confusion. “What happened?” I ask Ivan.
He nods his head in Tuck’s direction. “High-sticking. That kid jabbed Tucker in the neck,” he says. What the fuck?
Aspen, who’s still cradling Ivy in her arms, forces her attention back to the ice as Tuck grabs his neck. She passes the baby to Katherine and jumps to her feet. I do the same. She tries to shuffle around me to run down to the ice, but I intercept her, grabbing her around the waist and hauling her back to me. Aspen tries to wrestle out of my hold, but I pull her back tight against my front and speak low in her ear. “Angel, I know your momma bear instincts are kicking in right now, and you want nothing more than to run down there and check on him, but don’t. He’s okay; look at him.” She glances down to where Tuck stands. The ref is checking him over, and Tuck nods his head.
“You’ve never been a ten-year-old boy. If you go down there and fuss over him, you’re only going to embarrass him; his pride will be more bruised than his neck. He wants to look tough in front of his team, and he can’t do that if his mommy is down there fussing over him like a little baby.” Aspen turns her head to glare at me.
“Trust me.” I kiss her forehead. As Tuck shakes it off and begins skating, I guide Aspen back to her seat. The ref makes the call and sends the kid to the bin, and Tuck’s team goes into a two-minute power play.
Peering around us from the other side of Evie, Carter breaks the tension. “I’m getting a drink from concession; anyone want anything?” He’s asking all of us, but his eyes are trained on River.
She pulls her wallet from her purse. “Actually, a Coke would be good,” River says.
She leans around us, reaching out to pass cash to Carter. He refuses her money and leaves his seat beside Evie, making his way to the concession stand.
As the game continues, I watch the puck pass back and forth behind the opponent’s crease. Carter gains my attention when he comes back with two drinks and hands one to River before plopping his ass down in the seat next to her. Oh, this should be fun. I chuckle to myself, realizing his ploy. He obviously went to get drinks as an excuse to relocate to the seat beside River.
“I knew you would let me buy you a drink eventually.” His tone is playful, and his expression is mischievous.
“This was a one-off. Don’t get used to it.” River retorts, a waving her hand in the air. “Thanks, by the way.”
The dimples that our teammates have deemed as “the panty dropper” make their appearance when he smiles, and he tosses her a wink. “You’re welcome, Kitten.”
River rolls her eyes and growls, “Stop calling me that.”
In the years I’ve known Carter, he’s never pursued a woman to this magnitude, though he’s never had to. Women flock to him in droves. I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the chase or the fact that he’s the most determined person I know and can’t let her go. Either way, my bet is always going to be on him. Carter leans forward to focus back on the game, both elbows resting on his knees with his cup clasped in both hands.
Directing my focus back to the ice, Tuck rears back to shoot the puck. The goalie moves to the right as Tuck fakes him out and sends the puck into the left side of the goal. We all jump up at the same time, cheering loudly as the siren goes off. Tuck skates around the ice as his teammates pat him on the helmet in celebration.
The puck is back in play; Zimmerman is battling against the boards with the boy who hit Tuck. Elija skates up and checks the kid. The boy turns and bows up to him. Elija pushes him while mouthing off. They’re in each other’s faces. Before anyone has time to gain control of the situation, the boys are scuffling, and both fists are flying. The refs blow their whistle several times, but the boys don’t stop. The linesmen break them apart and throw them both into the box for a five-minute major penalty.
Aspen leans back, glaring, and crosses her arms tight against her chest. “That’s what he gets for messing with my kid.”
I chuckle as River gawks at her with wide eyes.
Aspen must feel River’s stare of disbelief because she turns her head in River’s direction. “What?” She shrugs. “Don’t look at me like that.” She stretches an arm out and points toward the ice. “That boy is a bully. We’ve played this team once already, and he always plays dirty. What he did was dangerous, River. He deserved whatever he got. That’s what enforcers do. They keep dirty players in line. He stood up for Tucker.”
“He’s not just a bully on the ice; he’s a little prick at school too,” Evie says.
River slightly rears her head back. “They’re only ten!”
“Yeah, but that’s hockey, River. I think that’s actually the boy’s favorite part of hockey. Just ask Carter.” Ivan cuts in, chuckling.
Carter leans back, stretching out both legs in front of him. These seats are not the most comfortable for someone who's six foot three. He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “It’s not like I love to fight. Think of it like this: If someone went after Aspen, how would you respond? Would you let someone mess with her or put her in danger?”
“Of course not.”
“Exactly. My job as an enforcer is to protect my star player from being targeted with dirty hits. Elija did the same thing. What that kid did to Tucker was clearly intentional if what everyone’s saying is true. Elija was doing his job,” Carter beams at her.
“How are your teeth so perfect?” River blurts. “I mean . . . I . . . I’ve seen your fights. I’m just surprised you don’t have any missing,” she stammers.
Carter laughs and leans forward in his seat. His eyes flick back and forth between hers as he observes her. “Awe, Kitten. You actually pay attention to me?”
She lets out a snort. “Absolutely not; forget I even asked.”
“To answer your question, three and a half years of braces and a life with permanent retainers, but these four . . .” He beams at her with his gleaming white teeth and taps on the four implants, “. . . are fake.”
I shift my attention away from them and glance at the clock as time runs out. The game ends with a score of three to zero. We jump up, cheering for the boys as they stand in a line and slap hands with the opposing team.
As everyone collects their belongings, Katherine passes Ivy back to Ivan. “It’s been a decade since I’ve had a baby around to cuddle.”
She rubs a knuckle down Ivy’s cheek, then lifts her head up to meet Ivan’s eyes. “Thank you for letting me hold her. Lord only knows if this one will ever bless me with another grandbaby.” She jerks her head toward Aspen.
“Mom,” Aspen groans. Her cheeks flush with a pink hue as she shakes her head in embarrassment.
Katherine playfully knocks her shoulder with Aspen’s. “What?” She chuckles with mischief in her eyes. “I’m just being honest. I miss having a baby to spoil.”
Aspen rolls her eyes and snorts a laugh.
We walk down the stairs toward the locker room, where we’re to wait outside for the kids. The double doors burst open, and a group of rambunctious preteen boys spill out. Tuck and Elija are among them, and they race to us, playfully shoving each other out of the way to gain the lead. Tuck looks up, and his face completely lights up.
“Mamaw, you’re back! Are you staying this time?” He runs to her embracing her in a big hug.
Laughter and raised voices echo around us as Tuck’s teammates roughhouse and chase each other around the stands. Parents mill around talking to one another as they collect their kids.
Katherine hugs him tight. “I sure am, kiddo. You know what? I have the best idea! Maybe your mom could ride back with Cal. Think we could convince her to let us borrow her car so just the two of us can celebrate your win with some ice cream?” She winks at him.
I’m all for this plan. We had three away games last week, and I just got back last night from another one. That, combined with River moving into her own place and not being around to watch Tuck so Aspen can sneak over, has given us no alone time these past couple of weeks. Though I did sneak over late last night because I was dying to see her, I didn’t stay long. Katherine is trying to use discretion around Tuck, but his eyes zero in on my fingers intertwined with his mom’s, and the corners of his mouth tug into a grin. Fuck! I wasn’t thinking, and clearly, she wasn’t either. I don’t know why she hasn’t told him we’re together yet.
“Is my mom your girlfriend?” He sings songs mockingly. Aspen quickly tries to pull her hand from mine, but it’s already too late, and I’m not letting her go. It’s apparent that he already knows or at least suspects.
I shrug. “I don’t know, Tuck. I think that’s up to your mom.”
The ball is in her court; it’s not my place to tell him we are together.
She clears her throat, and her face turns a pretty shade of pink. “Umm . . . maybe we should have this discussion at home?”
“You’re holding hands, and your face is as red as a tomato.” Tuck shifts his heavy equipment bag further up his shoulder. I release Aspen’s hand and take it from him. “So . . . are you?” He asks again.
Aspen glances at her mom with skepticism. “Are you sure you’re okay to drive in this big city without getting lost?” She asks, attempting to change the subject.
Tuck cuts in. “And I did walk in on you two kissing in the kitchen in the middle of the night.”
Aspen's eyes pop wide, and her head snaps back to Tuck. “Y—you what?”
“You two were kissing by the fridge. It was gross.” He dramatically shivers his body, then shoves his finger down his throat, making a gagging noise.
“You were supposed to be in bed.” Aspen nibbles on her bottom lip; it’s a tell that she’s uncomfortable with this conversation.
Tuck lifts his left shoulder in a shrug. “Yeah? So were you.” He chuckles. “I needed to use the bathroom and went to the kitchen for a drink, but after seeing you two, I wasn’t sure I could keep anything down. So, I just went back to bed.”
Carter’s laughter rings out, amusement glittering in his eyes.
Aspen rubs the palms of her hands down her face in embarrassment. “Okay, Tucker. That’s enough.”
I laugh as I pull her to me. “Come here.”
Aspen groans, gripping the front of my shirt in both fists; she briefly buries her face in my chest.
When she turns her head toward her mom, I release her. “Okay, so back to you taking Tucker . . . will you be okay—”
“Aspen Ryan Taylor, what do you think GPS is for?” She waves her hand around in the air. “Now you two go on. Shoo. I want to spend some quality time with my grandson.”
A frown tugs at my brows as I study Katherine. I’m surprised and confused. Ryan? As in Ryan West? Aspen was named after her father? That’s something I never saw coming. There is no way Katherine would have named her daughter after a man who abandoned her, or that she herself wasn’t fond of. I keep that filed in the back of my mind. It’s definitely a conversation worth having at another time.
Aspen hugs Katherine. “Thanks, Mom.”
Her mom whispers something in her ear.
Aspen blushes again. She reaches into her purse, pulls out her keys, and places them in her mom’s waiting hands.
Carter saunters over, wrapping me in a hug. The hug isn’t a side hug or a handshake man hug. It’s a full-on hug. “I’m so proud of you, bro,” he says as he pulls back, slapping me on the shoulder.
We say our goodbyes, and I place my hand at the small of Aspen’s back, guiding her to my truck. Reaching into my jeans pocket, I grab my keys, spinning them around my finger as we walk through the parking lot. The cold air hits my face as Aspen quickly wraps her coat tighter around her.
“What did your mom say that caused you to look embarrassed?” I click the fob, unlocking the truck.
“Nothing important.” She reaches out and opens her door. I slam it shut. She turns to me, shocked, as I back her up against the door and cage her in, pressing my body tight against hers.
“One would think you’d know better than to open doors when I’m around. Call me old-fashioned, but that’s my job, Angel.”
I take her lips between mine in a sweet kiss before reaching around her and opening her door. She climbs in, and I pull the seatbelt over her, clicking it in place before tightening the strap to make sure she’s secure. Her eyes give a dramatic roll.
Gently, I take her face in my hand and turn her head toward me.“Did you just roll your eyes at me?”
Her lips slowly turn up into a mischievous grin. “And what if I did?”
“Behave.” I nip her bottom lip before shutting the door.
I want to tie her down, edge her, and torment her body until she’s whimpering and begging to come. When she sasses or rolls her eyes at me, those actions make me itch to spank her ass and punish the sass right out of her until it’s dripping all over my fingers . . . or my cock. I have a proclivity for kink. And the way Aspen’s eyes lit up when I praised her, or the way her thighs rubbed together when I told her I wanted to spank her ass red, tells me no matter how inexperienced she may be, that she has them too.
Let’s not forget about all of the smutty novels resting on Aspen’s shelves . . . I mean, the girl is into some dark romance shit. I have social media too, you know—thanks to Teagan. And I now follow one person—Aspen. The shit Aspen comments on some of the posts . . . and the fact that for months now, I’ve been snagging novels from her room without her knowledge to read when I’m away lets me know she’s into the same things I’m into. What? Don’t judge me. I wanted to see what my girl likes. Eventually, I learned to read those books in my hotel room because sitting on an airplane next to a teammate while I’m sporting a raging hard-on is not my idea of a good time. The more books I read, the more I realize that she’s been a brat and pushed my buttons on purpose. My dick hardens at the thought. I’m ready to fuck her the way she’s never been fucked before. But I want our first time together to be slow and tender, easing her in a bit before I unleash.
I round the back of the truck and adjust myself in my pants before jumping in and taking her back to my place.