Chapter 45
FORTY-FIVE
JJ
“But why couldn’t Addie come with us?”
Antsy, I drum my fingers against the wheel as we pull up to a stoplight.
I’m excited for time with my little girl and for family skate with all the guys, old timers and current players alike, along with their families.
But Adeline and I have big plans tonight, and it’s hard to focus on anything but that.
I’m desperate to make every detail perfect.
I have to get at least one fucking thing right. We deserve this. We’ve earned this.
I glance in the rearview mirror at my little girl.
She’s wearing her pink Langfield jersey over a white turtleneck.
Her blond curls are in two braids that I’m damn proud of.
I perfected the style after watching Adeline do them for years after practice.
“She’s picking up Josie. She told you that.
” And I’ve told her the same thing at least four times since we left the house.
Arms crossed, she looks out the window, pouting. “She’s supposed to be on our team, not Josie’s.”
I chuckle. Avery is just as possessive of Adeline’s time as I am. It’s adorable.
She absolutely would have come with us if we weren’t trying to hide how very much we’re settling into being exactly that: a team. We’ve taken Avery skating a few more times over the last week so that she’s prepared for today, and I’m pretty sure she likes skating with Adeline more than me.
Honestly, Adeline has become such an integral part of Avery’s life that it makes sense that she’d be confused about why she isn’t with us.
I wish she was with us just as desperately.
I’ve reached for her across the center console at least three times, only to find air.
It’s like she’s a ghost in the passenger seat. We’re both missing her.
But we’ll see her in less than a half hour, and then tonight, I’ll have her all to myself.
“Are you excited to sleep at Mimi’s tonight?”
My parents will be at Holiday Skate, and then they’ll take Avery home with them after. My dad helped me with tonight’s arrangements, so he knows what a big deal it is. He did something similar for my mom years ago, and Mom still gushes about it.
I’m just so damn excited to see Adeline’s reaction.
“Yeah, they’re coming to see me skate, right?”
“Yup. They can’t wait.”
“And you’ll record it and send it to everyone else?”
I look at her in the mirror again. The hope in her blue eyes hits me straight in the chest. “Yes, Aves, just like I always do.”
She nods, content with my answer, and peers out the window.
She’s stopped asking about Tabitha. Maybe it’s a bad thing, but for me, it feels like a step in the right direction.
She shouldn’t be tormented by a woman who doesn’t care enough to even call her own daughter, but I still worry.
When it comes to Tabitha, it’s always better to worry.
Avery asks me whether Adeline is here twice on the way from the car to the rink. I remind her that she had to stop at Josie’s, so she couldn’t have beat us. She isn’t thrilled with that answer and sticks close to my side as we approach my teammates.
When Bobby spots us, he gets down low. “Hey, Aves, whatcha wearing?”
She frowns up at me, her little hand tucked into mine. “Can he not read?”
Bray throws his head back and roars. “Dammit, I don’t want kids, but I love yours.”
Avery beams at him.
“I can read. I just thought maybe you’d want another one.” Bobby twists at the waist and procures a giftbag from behind him, then holds it out to her.
I eye him, laughing. What an idiot. “You bought my kid a jersey?”
He shrugs. “She’s the team’s kid. She should have all our jerseys.”
Avery shakes her head, her little lips turned down. “Nope. I’m only on Daddy and Addie’s team.”
Bobby looks up at me, eyes widening. Then he gets to his feet and leans in so only I can hear him. “Nicely done, JJ. Didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Avery, say thank you for the gift,” I remind her, ignoring his comment.
“Thank you for the gift. However, I only wear Addie’s jersey, so unfortunately this will just sit in my drawer.”
Bray coughs out another laugh. I swear the guy has laughed more in the last two minutes than he has in the last year. “Brutal. I fucking love you.”
I glare at him. There’s no way I want him getting on board with the ducking bullshit, but I’d appreciate it if he’d at least try not to curse at my child.
He holds up his hands, cringing. “My bad, Aves. You’re a cool one.”
“Thanks,” she chirps. “But I’m not wearing yours either, Cap.”
He just laughs harder.
“What’s all the noise about?” a deep voice says from behind me.
Bray straightens and his smile grows. “Hey, Dad.”
I’m not a small guy by any standard, but being in the presence of this legend instantly makes me feel like a little boy standing on the other side of the boards watching Tyler Warren play hockey.
He was a presence. An attitude. A leader.
Covered in tattoos like Brayden, he could absolutely pass as his biological father, when in reality the two share no DNA.
He’s in a black long-sleeve Boston Bolts shirt and he’s wearing his hat backward like Bray, his smile bright. “JJ, Bobby, and Avery.” He kneels in front of my little girl and thumbs toward us. “These guys giving you trouble?”
“They don’t understand that I will only ever wear Addie’s jersey from now on and I’m not on the team.” She huffs like the idea is ridiculous. “I only just now learned to skate.”
War’s eyes jump up to me. “Did you? Does that mean your dad will bring you down to my house to skate on the pond? I even have pretty string lights set up, and my wife loves to bake this really good French toast casserole that’s the perfect breakfast at dinnertime.”
Avery looks up at me. “Can we, Daddy?”
I squeeze her shoulder. “Sure thing.”
“You just tell me a date,” War says, focused on me now. “I’m sure Josie and Scarlett would love to host a whole family night at the house. Between Cam and me, we’ve got enough bedrooms for everyone.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He shakes his head. “Forget that nonsense. We’re Bolts. I’ve told you to call me War.”
I know and I do it in my head, but it’s so intimidating to say out loud.
Bray chuckles low again. He knows exactly what I’m thinking.
And I prove him right as I stutter out a “Yes, sir. I mean War, sir. Thank you, sir.”
I roll my eyes at myself.
“How’s coaching going?”
War coaches his other son’s high school team, and word is that he and Daniel Hall’s son are entering the draft next year.
He shifts, sticking his thumbs in his pockets.
Instantly, I can feel Avery staring at his fingers. They’re covered in tattoos.
“Daddy,” she whispers.
I shake my head.
“But Daddy.” She tugs on my pants. “He’s got drawings on his hands. Can I get drawings on my hands?”
Brayden and War let out matching chuckles. “Your kid’s a riot,” War says.
I roll back on my heels. “Don’t I know it.”
“Coaching is good,” he says. “It’s my last year, so I’m soaking it all in.”
“What are you going to do next?” I ask.
With a shrug, he scans the arena. “It’s hard to come back here and not want to just come home.
Then again,” he says, what looks like wicked delight flashing in his eyes, “it’ll be the first time in eighteen years that my wife and I have had the house to ourselves.
We might just hang out naked”—he mouths that word, and Avery doesn’t notice, thank fuck—“all day and night.”
Brayden groans. “Come on, Dad. I’m at work.”
Chuckling, War throws an arm around his son’s back. “Let’s go find your brother. He wants you to take him around again.”
As the two of them disappear, Avery squeals and runs toward the door.
I don’t have to look to know who she’s spotted.
But I do anyway, eager to set my eyes on her myself.
And when I do, I nearly stagger back. Adeline’s black pants are so tight they’re molded to her long athletic legs.
Her white sweater looks soft to the touch, and those lips I love to obsess over are painted red.
Her long dark hair is down and blown out, probably in preparation for tonight.
She looks like a fucking Charlie’s Angel walking our way.
“Jesus, Addie Langfield cleans up nice, huh?” Bobby mutters under his breath.
The guys aren’t used to seeing her like this. While she dresses in suits after games just like the rest of us, she keeps her hair braided.
Right now she looks like a runway model. My fucking runway model.
“She certainly does,” I agree.
Bobby waggles his brows. “So you and her?”
I clap him on the shoulder and squeeze. “Now’s not the time to figure it out.”
Then I head toward my girl, hoping like hell I can make it through the next few hours without giving us away. But damn, those red lips might just be my downfall.
“Look at you.”
Avery does the smallest of spins, showing off what she and Adeline worked on the other day. The two of them are surrounded by Josie, her sister Scarlett, Savannah, and Vivi, and they’re all cheering Avery on.
“I appreciate your help getting her here,” Gavin says, smiling.
When he asked me to mention the family skate to Vivi, I told him I thought it would probably mean more if he actually invited her. He said he already had but she’d been noncommittal.
I get that he wants the chance to see her in person to work on their relationship, so I agreed. It’s a good plan. But he’d have to move away from the boards to enact it, and so far, he’s only stood here watching.
“She looks like she’s having a good time.”
“They all do,” my father says, coming through the gate. He sidles up next to me and surveys the scene. “Adeline’s so good with her,” he says softly.
Gavin doesn’t miss the comment. Leaning forward, he scrutinizes my dad, then me. “Something I should know?”
Dad, always my hero, answers for me. “It’s just nice that Avery has a female in her life who cares so much. Her mother—” With a low growl, he shakes his head. “Anyway. Adeline is a good influence on her.”
Beckett skates up to the other side of the boards with Dec and Beck in tow. They’re both pretty good on the ice.
“Why you all over here?” he grouses. “This is a family skate, no?”
Before I can respond, the most beautiful laughter floats across the ice. Adeline has Avery in her arms and she’s skating backward quickly, making Avery laugh hysterically.
My heart hammers at the sight of them. It squeezes tight and then grows ten sizes. That’s my family right there.
“I’m going to—” I point.
All three of them are smiling, watching as well.
“Come on, Gav. Take Dec and we’ll go get your girl to skate with us,” Beckett says.
My dad wanders away too, looking for Mom.
I head toward my girls, taking off quickly and building up speed.
Adeline spots me, and her smile grows, the competitive side of her flaring to life. “Look Avey, it’s Daddy. You think he can catch us?”
Avery throws her head back, cackling. “No, girls are faster!”
I love that she thinks that. Adeline is going to give so many little girls like her that same type of inspiration.
But right now, I need to get my arms around them, so sadly, I’m going to have to prove them wrong.
“Maybe sometimes, but this daddy is itching for a hug from his daughter because she’s about to leave. I’m going to use my superpowers to beat Adeline this time.”
Laughter bubbles out of Adeline. “No fair.”
I speed up, ensuring that we’re headed to a mostly empty part of the rink. While I trust this woman with my life, she’s skating backward with my kid in her arms, and I don’t take chances with Avery.
She slows slightly, no doubt thinking of Avery’s safety too, so I catch up to them quickly. Locking eyes with Adeline, I nod, and we both slow. Then I wrap my arms around them both.
“Caught you,” I yell. The hug is quick. I make a big show of the moment so that it looks like this is just part of the game rather than an opportunity to brush my nose through Adeline’s hair and inhale her for one perfect moment.
Or squeeze her hip gently, telling her hello and I’m excited for tonight without uttering the words.
The connection only lasts a moment. But I live for our moments.
“You sure did,” Adeline says, almost breathless.
“Can Addie sleep over with me at Mimi’s?”
“No, baby.” Chuckling, I press a kiss to Avery’s cheek. Then I hold my arms out.
Adeline stretches her arms out, passing my little girl to me. She’s not so little anymore, really, so skating around with her for the last two hours, mostly carrying her, much to Avery’s delight, has probably been exhausting.
I’ll make it up to her tonight. I’ll massage every inch of her body. And then kiss every spot.
“But why?” She sticks out her bottom lip, pouting at Adeline. “Do you want to sleep at my Mimi’s with me?”
With a soft smile, Adeline presses a hand to her back. “I always want to be with you, Avery, but I have plans tonight.”
“You do?” she says, voice filled with almost wonder.
Adeline’s eyes meet mine for a second, full of affection, then she focuses on my daughter again. “I do. I’m going out with my best friend.”
My little girl perks up in my arms. “Who’s your best friend?”
“So many questions,” I say. “Come on, say good night. You’ll see Adeline in the morning, okay?”
“You promise?”
Adeline cups her cheek, moving in a little closer. “I will always come back. Okay? You and me and Daddy, right? We’re a team?”
Avery’s little body relaxes in my arms. “I told everyone that. I’m not a Bolt. I’m Adeline and Daddy’s.”
Adeline’s eyes widen, and for a moment I worry she’s freaking out, but then her lips quiver and tears form on her lashes. She wraps her arms around Avery and presses a kiss to her cheek. “You sure are my girl. I love you. Have a good time with Mimi and Pops.”
It takes another half hour for Adeline to say goodbye to our friends, then she heads out. I wait about ten minutes, chatting with the guys a little longer, planning to meet her down the street so no one sees us leave together.
I’m so damn anxious for the rest of the night to get started. I can’t wait for her reaction. In a rush, I take off down the hall toward the elevator. I’m about ten feet from it when a loud whimper echoes off the walls.
“You bitch,” a deep voice growls. “Thought you could ruin my career.”
My head snaps toward the locker room. I’d know that voice anywhere. What the fuck is Dirk doing here?
I throw open the door and storm in, and when I find Adeline pinned against the wall, Dirk’s hands around her throat, a blinding rage takes over.