Chapter 14
Kieran
ICEHAWKS BITCHES
IRVING
SPEECH
SPEECH
SPEECH
brOTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER
we’re not in the locker room Theo
IRVING
we will be soon
LEWIS
holy shit
Ashford, are you going public with Emmy?
KIERAN
yeah, Layla caught a receptionist taking pics of us. thought I’d get ahead of the press
JOHNSON
fuck that receptionist
ELLINGTON
want us to take care of it?
IRVING
I can butter her up ;)
brOTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER
keep all your illegal shit off text messages
LEWIS
I love that I’m not the one getting scolded for once
brOTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER
Irving just texted and told me you want to break into her house and steal her phone
LEWIS
screw you Irving!
IRVING
sorry bro
I ain’t going down alone
O’CONNOR
can we wave to Emmy or will it freak her out?
KIERAN
a group of giant hockey players all rushing the boards to wave at a little girl?
yeah totally can’t see that ending in tears
O’CONNOR
we’ll go one at a time
IRVING
shot gun going first!
I’m the favorite uncle
KIERAN
who the hell said you were an uncle?
IRVING
me
duh
Adrenaline courses through my bloodstream the second my skates hit the ice, along with a hum of anticipation as my eyes cut to the group behind the home bench. Before I know it, the corner of my lip is lifting.
Last night I called Coach Anderson to ask for a favor—a fact which left him speechless because I’ve never requested one before, not once in my seven years of playing on his team.
And in true Ashford fashion—as he called it—I asked for a large one.
After Layla told me about the receptionist at the therapist’s office, I knew it was only a matter of time before my new life and Emmy’s horrid story were leaked to the press.
I’ve had such major life events be completely out of my control lately that I didn’t want this decision to be taken away from me too.
I want to tell the world on my own timeline, and although the receptionist is certainly hurrying me along, at least I’ll know that the tabloids and puck bunnies posting about Emmy and me are because I made the choice to go public first.
My publicist is about to get a hefty pay raise to keep the gruesome details under wraps.
No one needs to know how we were reunited, all they get to know is that she’s mine and I’m proud and happy that she’s in my life.
The last thing I want is Emmy to grow up and have her peers be able to Google the worst moment of her life.
Grayson skates up beside me, the number 33 flashing on his jersey next to my 47. “Are you ready for this?”
I blow out a breath, looking over to the home bench again.
Layla’s holding Emmy, who’s decked out in all the gear the guys bought her for the first game of the season.
Bella and Cindy flank them, along with Allie and Carlton, as if they’re all protecting my daughter, but as an added precaution, I bought out three rows of seats around them so they wouldn’t be disturbed.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I’m right here beside you. We’re all here beside you,” Grayson says roughly, flicking his chin at the home bench. “Every step of the way, Ashford.”
Nodding, I clasp him on the back in gratitude before skating off toward the home bench. Coach lifts his head, and while I’m beginning to sweat, my nerves getting the better of me, the bastard just smiles as I stop beside him, spraying ice over the boards.
“You feeling all right, Coach?” I ask.
“Better than all right.” He claps his hands together, making my brows rise.
I think the last time I saw him this cheerful was when we won the Stanley Cup.
He peers behind the bench before turning back to me, that smile all but glued on his face. “She looks like you.”
I can’t help but mirror his smile, my cheeks heating. Since when do I blush? “I’ve been told that a few times.”
“This is a good thing, Kieran. A marvelous thing,” he tells me.
“I believe so too, Coach.”
“Now, are you doing this before the game or after? Do I need to call security to prepare for a frenzy?”
I didn’t even think about that.
I thought about Emmy needing space and earmuffs for the sound.
The guys thought about all the adorable little clothes like scarfs and beanies that currently swarm her small frame, all black and white, representing IceHawks.
How could I have planned for everything but security?
I feel like slapping myself; some of the puck bunnies are borderline psychotic.
I turn to gauge her mood and whether or not this is too much for Emmy, but I’m stunned, my breath catching. Emmy is in Layla’s arms, her little fists up in the air waving frantically, a large smile spread wide as she—
My chest suddenly feels like it was hit by a truck.
Coach is calling my name, but I can’t hear him over the blood rushing in my ears.
Tears burn the back of my eyes as I skate forward, Emmy’s little lips moving a mile a minute.
She’s speaking.
My little girl is speaking.
And she’s talking to me.
Usually when I slide this uniform on, all I want to hear are the cheers of the crowd, the buzzing of our goals, and the roar of my teammates. Standing at the plexiglass, the arena fades into the background as the best sound to ever grace my ears reaches me.
“Daddy! That’s my daddy!”
Her large round eyes are locked on me as if I’m the only thing to exist, and it’s then that I remember she knows my jersey number, how her mom must have turned the TV to our games and told her that I was her dad.
My name is Kieran Ashford, I am a hockey player for IceHawks, I wear the jersey number 47, and as I take my helmet off, I stand unashamed as tears fall freely down my cheeks.
Emmy’s eyes widen, taking up half her face.
I’m waiting for disappointment to hit her next, for disgust or hatred, but it never comes. If anything, she squeals louder, screaming “Daddy!” with renewed vigor.
Tears shine in Layla’s eyes, the tension from last night long gone in this moment. She’s not the only one tearing up. The people surrounding her, my people, my friends and chosen family, don’t have any dry eyes.
A laugh bursts free from me, one full of joy as I clutch my chest, hoping I can keep my heart, beating a mile a minute, in its rightful place.
Layla whispers something to Emmy and points above my head, and Emmy and I follow Layla’s direction.
I find my face exploded across the Jumbotron, my cheeks and nose red, my black hair slicked with sweat.
Emmy is shown beside me on the screen, her smile wide and carefree, her baby teeth peeking through.
She claps her hands together and continues to point at me, that word mouthed on her lips once again.
Irving skates past me, hooting. “She called you Daddy!”
And before I know it, my team descends on me with hugs, surrounding me in one of the happiest moments of my life.
“Secret’s out!” Mitchel calls. “Ashford is officially a daddy!”
“Daddy Ashford!” Irving yells, and soon the entire stadium is chanting along with him.
I find Grayson through the chaos and see him already grinning at me. I can’t help but laugh, too. “Looks like you won’t be the only ‘daddy’ to go viral on the IceHawks team,” I tease, talking about the video that went viral of him well over a year ago.
He rolls his eyes. “Thank fuck! More than happy to share the title.”
Irving cuts through the throes, pouting. “I want to be a viral daddy.”
Shaking my head with laughter, I’m shocked that even Irving’s stupid remarks can’t dampen the mood.
Grayson rallies us together. “Now, who’s ready to skate?”
I look back one more time at Layla and Emmy, my smile so wide my cheeks burn. “I’m about to skate the best I’ve ever fucking played.”
Sweat slides down the nape of my neck as I pull my arm back only to bring it forward with a vengeance, slapping the puck to the side, right into Grayson’s awaiting stick.
The defense against us try their hardest, their legs pumping to keep up, but Grayson is a weapon on the ice and nothing can stop him as he flicks his wrist and sends the puck soaring into the net.
The goalie slaps his fist against the ice, roaring in frustration after letting a third goal sail past him.
The sound of the buzzer blaring across the arena is music to my ears as my team and I skate over to Grayson and crowd him, cheering and hooting in celebration.
“Let’s fucking go!” Irving roars.
Grayson shakes his head with a laugh as he skates by me. “Nice set up, Ashford.”
I bow low. “My services are always available.”
A snort rings out behind me but it’s not one of celebration; it drips with sarcasm and loathing.
By the way Grayson’s jaw clenches, I know exactly who it belongs to.
My eyes are rolling before I even face Chase Montgomery. “What is it now, Montgomery?” I drawl. “Still have a stick up your ass over IceHawks not wanting your small dick?”
Chase is in front of my face before I can blink, well, as close as he can get. He might act all mighty, but he isn’t as tall as me. I’ve got a good head over the prick, the one who tried to not only take Grayson’s spot on this team but also made disgusting comments about Drew.
“Shut your fucking mouth, Ashford.”
I can feel the darkness swirling in my eyes as I lean forward ever so slowly. “Or what.”
With gritted teeth, he spits, “You’ll fucking regret it.”
I skate backwards, pointing at him as I smile. “Nah, I like my mouth running just the way it is.”
Chase stalks me on the ice, a hard glint in his gaze.
Everyone in the league knows he’s dirty on and off the ice but I seem to be the only one that truly notices his evilness. It’s dark, soulless, and completely full of rage.
Perhaps I learned it from the foster home, the soulless eyes of young boys who grew up with such hatred in their hearts they went on to spread their misery, having experienced torture from far too many people.
It’s why it doesn’t shock me when he suddenly grins, coming to a stop in front of me and spraying ice across the length of my body.
“Got a little one now, Ashy?” He tsks, shaking his head.
“You have to be so careful with them, especially when they’re at such a young age.
Accidents…they seem to be magnets for them.
” He shrugs as he moves backwards toward my home bench.
“Wouldn’t want something to happen to her. ”
My jaw snaps shut so fast I swear I hear a crack.
He’s goading you.
He can’t hurt her.
He can’t touch her.
He wants you to lose your temper.
Grayson skates up beside me. “What the fuck did he say?”
My hands are clenched so tightly I’m worried I’ll splinter my stick. “He said I need to be careful with Emmy because accidents happen so easily.”
Grayson’s head snaps up, murder in his gaze, but nothing will come close to the way I look as I watch Chase Montgomery lift his hand and wave to Emmy.
I see red.
Fuck keeping my cool. Fuck a penalty, fuck the sin bin. I’ll savor every penny I’ll have to pay for the fine I’m about to get.
“Stay the fuck away from her!” I roar before I throw my entire body weight at him and slam the bastard into the plexiglass.
I can hear the arena’s collective gasp, the murmurs and the screams girls let out at the sudden violence. The refs blow their whistles but I ignore them.
I yank Montgomery’s helmet up. He’s smirking up at me, his plan working exactly how he wanted. But this fucker needs to know exactly who he’s dealing with.
“If you so much as look toward my daughter I will end you,” I growl with such venom his grin begins to fade. I pull him even closer. “Threaten her or use her against me and you’ll be leaving here in a body bag from the accident I make you have.” My eyes narrow. “And that’s a fucking promise.”
The black and white stripes of the ref’s shirt comes into my peripheral and right as they reach for me, I shove the scum away, raising my hands in surrender as I back off.
The ref blows his whistle right beside me, his face red. “Ashford, penalty box, now!”
I can’t hold back my smirk. Damn, even the ref doesn’t mind me body slamming him. I hope the league starts to hate him as much as every other player does. Hell, even his own teammates aren’t skating over to help the bastard up. They probably know it was deserved.
Chase Montgomery rises, along with his temper. “Are you fucking kidding me? He should be booted out of the game for that bullshit!”
The ref blows his whistle again, silencing him. “I make the calls in this game, Montgomery, not you.”
“That’s bullshit!” he roars. “I’m not the one with a temper problem!”
I quirk a brow. “Really? Then why are you the only one screaming like a fucking banshee?”
He snaps his head to me. “Don’t fucking goad me, Ashford, or I really will stick to my word and make something happen.”
Grayson slaps a hand on my chest, holding me back just as I’m about to lunge for the sick fuck.
“Did you just threaten another player’s daughter in front of a referee?” Grayson asks, deadly calm.
Chase shrugs. “No threat.” He turns to the ref, holding his chest in innocence. “Did you hear a threat come from my lips? I’m just talking about making the team lose.”
The tension between us all heightens to such a feat even the arena can feel it. They begin chanting—demanding more violence.
“FIGHT!”
“FIGHT!”
“FIGHT!”
“That’s bullshit and you know it,” I growl.
Grayson shakes his head before turning to the ref. “You need to do something. He’s threatening one of my player’s family members.”
The ref eyes Chase before his shoulders slump in defeat. “Sorry Crawford, but I didn’t physically hear him say he would harm a family member.” His eyes narrow before he points at Montgomery. “But one more bad word out of your mouth and you’re out of the game. Got it?”
Un-fucking-believable.
This is why he’s known for being dirty in the league and yet never gets thrown out. He’s fucking smart with his words.
Fucking prick.
My nostrils flare as he smiles at me.
“Of course, I’ll show the best sportsmanship there is.” He holds out his hand. “Shake on it, Ashford?”
Shrugging off Grayson’s touch, I skate past Chase slowly, like a predator closing in on their prey. “I know your type, Montgomery.” Lowering my voice, I let him hear every drop of animosity I have for him. “And I wouldn’t shake your hand even if it was made of water and I was on fire.”