Chapter 20 River
River
“As soon as the season is over, we’re gonna start filming. You can’t believe how much money the network is dumping into this. It’s like we’re gonna be printing cash.”
Zane slides one palm against the other, like he’s handing out Benjamins at a strip club.
I stare at him for what feels like the hundredth time, and wonder how the hell we were ever friends in the first place.
Was it him who changed?
Or me?
Maybe it was both of us.
We came in together as rookies. We were green, hungry, and ready to take the league by storm. We clicked right away. Same line. Same grind. Same goals.
But now?
Every damn word out of his mouth is laced with bullshit.
It’s tiring.
He’s sprawled across the bench in front of his locker, towel barely hanging around his hips, yapping loud enough for the entire room to hear. I pull my sweatshirt over my head, jamming my arms through the sleeves like the motion will keep me from losing it.
Even though no one is asking questions, he keeps yammering about his reality star dreams.
“The producers want to feature Nora in a few of the episodes. You know, give it a wholesome, family vibe. Viewers eat that shit up.”
My head snaps toward him as I scowl. “Your daughter isn’t a prop.”
He barks out a laugh and claps a hand on my shoulder like we’re still bros. “Relax, man. It’ll be good exposure. I’m sure Callie will be fine with it. And who knows? Maybe this little setup can be lucrative for all of us. Callie can play the part of jealous ex who just wants her man back.”
The muscles in my jaw go tight and my hand curls into a fist at my side. For a second, I can actually picture my knuckles crashing into his face.
Just once.
Hard enough to knock some goddamn sense into him.
Like he hasn’t hurt Callie enough?
Now he wants her publicly humiliated on national TV?
And to bring Nora into it?
Neither of them should be used as pawns in Zane’s next publicity stunt.
They deserve better.
Every time Zane opens his mouth, it becomes more obvious that he’s not worthy of either one of them.
He never was.
I close the distance between us before dropping my voice as he yanks on a pair of joggers. “Did you know the bakery’s struggling? If Callie’s the one supporting your kid, maybe you should do the right thing and help her out instead of being a selfish tool and only thinking about yourself.”
He scoffs like I’m being overly dramatic, and that pisses me off even more. “You think I’ve got extra cash lying around?” He grabs his cologne and sprays it twice. “I need to head out. We’ve got a photoshoot tonight, and Gigi’s hair takes, like, an hour.”
He winks at himself in the mirror before strutting out of the locker room. The door swings shut behind him as the silence settles like dust in his wake.
Oliver shakes his head. “That guy is on such an ego trip. If Gigi dumps him, he’d probably marry himself.”
Laiken lets out a low whistle. “That guy needs a reality check that’s not on TV.”
Jax’s brows furrow. “Did he really say he wants to put Nora on camera? On a reality show?”
“Yup,” Steele says, crossing his arms as he leans against his locker. “That’s exactly what he said. There’s no way Callie will let that fly.”
“There’s no way I’m going to let it happen,” I grit out. Just saying it makes my blood pressure spike.
Steele lifts a brow. “Is that so? You get a say in the matter?”
I meet his gaze without flinching. “Yeah. I do.”
Respect flickers in his expression before one side of his mouth hitches with amusement. “Does Callie know you’re making decisions for her now?”
“Nope,” I admit, “but she will.”
I’m done watching her carry the weight of everything while Zane coasts through life without consequence. And I’m done watching Nora grow up without the kind of steady, safe presence she deserves.
Zane might be her biological father, but let’s be honest, that’s where his contribution ends. I’m not going to sit back and let either of them pay the price for his failures.
Steele nods. “Good for you, man. She deserves someone who’s willing to step up.”
“Thanks.” I sling my bag over my shoulder, offer a quick goodbye, and push through the locker room door.
The second it clicks shut behind me, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I don’t have to look at the screen to know who it is.
Twin intuition is a legit freaky thing.
I swipe to answer. “Hey, Willow. What’s up?”
“Is everything okay?” She sounds like she’s on full alert.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Why?”
“I don’t know,” she mutters. “I just had this feeling you needed me.”
I huff out a quiet laugh. “Have I ever told you how unsettling that sixth sense of yours is?”
That comment makes her chuckle. “Welcome to being a twin. There’s something in your voice. You sound like you’re about to punch someone or profess your undying love. Which is it?”
“The situation is complicated,” I say with a groan.
“So,” she muses, “not hockey.”
I scrub a hand down my face as I step into the corridor. “Her name’s Callie, and she has a daughter. Along with an ex who doesn’t deserve either of them.” There’s a pause before I admit, “He also happens to be one of my teammates. Zane.”
The beat of silence from her end says it all.
“Damn,” she whispers. “You’re already in deep, huh?”
“I’ve been in deep for a while now. And there’s no way I can continue to sit back and do nothing.
Not when she’s carrying the weight of the world.
She and her daughter deserve better. They deserve someone who’ll show up for them every damn day.
Not just when it’s convenient and fits into his schedule. ”
Willow doesn’t joke or tease. “Whatever you need to do, I’m one hundred percent behind you. Always have been. Always will be.”
Just like that, the last of the tension leaks from my shoulders as I push through the exit and head toward the parking garage. “Thanks, sis. That means more than you know.”
“This woman must be really special to have you tangled up like this.”
“She’s so much more than that,” I admit. “You’re going to love her. And Nora? She’s incredible. Smart as hell, sweet as can be, and funny in that way that sneaks up on you. She’s got this little dimple when she smiles…”
I stop myself as a slow grin spreads across my face.
“I can’t wait to meet her. Hopefully soon. Like the next time you guys play Mav’s team. Hint, hint.”
“We’ll see about that. It might be a little too soon.” I click the button to unlock the truck as I step into the cold air of the garage before admitting, “I want them so damn much, but I don’t know if Callie will ever believe I’m not like her ex.”
“Then show her. Every day. Not with big promises, but with small things. Real things. Until she understands the difference.”
I jerk the door open, climb into the driver’s seat, and start up the engine.
Zane had his chance and he blew it.
Now it’s my turn.
And I’ll be damned if I let Callie or Nora slip through my fingers the way he did.