Chapter Seven
Spike
I’m not normally the type of guy who lets feelings get in the way of my goals. My focus has always been the same: hockey first, everything else second. It’s how I’ve made it this far, how I’ve kept my head above water these past months. But lately, it’s harder to stick to that order. Because every time I look at Emma, I feel something that scares the hell out of me.
She’s more than I expected. More than I deserve. And that kiss on New Year’s Eve? That was a mistake. A damn good mistake, but a mistake all the same. I can’t let myself go there again. Not with her. Not when the boys are involved. They need stability, and Emma’s been that and more. I won’t risk screwing it up by letting my feelings get in the way.
I need to focus on hockey and the boys. The season’s in full swing, and we’ve got a long road ahead. I can deal with everything else when it’s over. That’s the game plan.
The locker room’s buzzing with energy as I lace up my skates. Simon’s giving Viktor a hard time about his pre-game rituals while Ryan trying to mediate with that calm, dad-energy he’s got going on these days.
“Hey, Spike,” Simon calls out, leaning against the bench. “You’ve been awfully quiet lately. Got something on your mind, or is that just the way your face normally looks?”
“It’s my game face, jackass,” I reply, keeping my tone even. I’ve been around these guys long enough to know that any hint of personal stuff will get picked apart like a carcass in the desert.
“Sure, sure,” Simon says, grinning. “Or maybe you’re thinking about that pretty nanny of yours. What’s her name again? Emma?”
“Drop it,” I warn, but it only makes him laugh.
“Oh, come on. We all see the way you change when you get a text from her during practice. You can say it’s about the boys, but it didn’t fire up until the new nanny started. You’re not fooling anyone, Spike.”
“Leave it alone,” Ryan says, stepping in before I can snap back. “Let the man focus. We’ve got a game to win.”
“Fine, fine,” Simon relents, holding up his hands. “But if you ever need advice, you know where to find me.”
I shake my head, but I’m grateful for the distraction. He’s not wrong. Emma’s been on my mind more than she should be. I just have to remember—hockey first. Everything else can wait.
By the time we hit the ice, I’ve managed to push all thoughts of Emma to the back of my mind. The game is what matters right now and I’ve got a job to do. The crowd’s roaring, the adrenaline’s pumping, and for a few hours, it’s just me, my team, and the ice.
But then, during a timeout, I glance toward the stands and see them. Emma is sitting with the other family members, Sam on her lap and Charlie beside her, bouncing with excitement. My chest tightens, and for a moment, I forget to breathe. They’re here. She brought them.
“Hey, Spike,” Duke says, nudging me. “You good?”
“Yeah,” I say, shaking it off. “Let’s finish this.”
The rest of the game passes in a blur, and when the final buzzer sounds, we’ve secured the win. I skate off the ice, my heart pounding, and not because of the game. I’ve never been so eager to get into the locker room and out of my gear.
The locker room is buzzing with post-game energy. We won, and it wasn’t just a win—it was the kind of game that reminds me why I love hockey. But my mind’s not fully on the victory. It’s on Emma and the boys. Seeing them in the stands tonight was like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. Knowing they were there, cheering me on, made everything sharper, better.
I lean back against my locker, unwrapping the tape from my wrists. The guys are still riding the high, loud and obnoxious as usual.
“So, Spike,” Duke drawls, tossing his gloves into his bag. “Your little fan club seemed pretty into the game tonight.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. “Shut up, Duke.”
“I’m serious,” he says, smirking. “Emma looked like she was having a good time with the other WAGs. Getting pretty cozy, huh?”
Simon chimes in, his grin wicked. “You’ve got to admit, man, it’s a good look on you. The kids, the nanny…the whole package.”
I shake my head, refusing to take the bait. “She’s great with the boys. That’s all there is to it.”
“Sure, sure,” Ryan says, winking. “That’s all there is to it.”
The guys laugh, and I shove my gear into my bag, ignoring them. They don’t know how complicated it is, how much I’ve been wrestling with my feelings. Emma’s not just great with the boys; she’s incredible. But the timing is wrong. The stakes are too high. I can’t afford to mess this up—not for me, and definitely not for the boys.
After the game, the team usually separates into two groups. The single guys who are looking to party and the family guys who head out to spend time with their wives and kids. I’m joining the second group for the first time.
We head to their usual spot, a family-friendly pub. Tonight, Emma and the boys are part of that dynamic, and seeing them here, fitting in so seamlessly, makes me sweat. I need to keep these two parts of my life separate, but how am I going to do that without coming across like an asshole?
Emma’s sitting with the other wives—Paisley, Tilly, Avery, and Tuesday. The boys are at the kids’ table, crayons and chicken fingers keeping them entertained. From my spot near the bar, I watch Emma laugh at something Paisley says, her cheeks flushing a little as she shakes her head.
I’m halfway through a beer when Duke sidles up next to me. “You’re staring, man. Might want to reel that in.”
“I’m not staring,” I mutter, taking another sip.
“Sure you’re not.” He claps me on the shoulder, grinning. “Just don’t screw it up, okay? She’s good for you and the boys.”
I don’t respond, mostly because he’s right. And that’s exactly why I’m trying so hard to keep my distance.
“So,” Tilly says, dragging out the word as she leans toward Emma. “What’s it like living with Sexy Spike?”
Emma nearly chokes on her drink, her eyes wide as she looks over at me. “I…what?”
The other women burst into laughter, and I can see the tips of Emma’s ears turning red. She must realize I can hear their conversation because Tilly isn’t being quiet. I have to admit that I’m more than curious about her answer.
“Come on,” Paisley teases. “He’s hot, and you know it.”
Emma shakes her head, laughing nervously. “He’s great with the boys. That’s what matters.”
“Uh-huh,” Avery says, smirking. “Deflect all you want, but we see the way he looks at you.”
“And the way you look at him,” Tuesday adds with a wink.
Emma’s laugh is a little louder this time, clearly an attempt to cover her embarrassment. “You’re all ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” Tilly says, her grin mischievous. “But if you ever need a night off, I’d be happy to babysit the boys. Give you a chance to, you know, have some fun.”
That’s my cue, and I say, “That’s a great idea. Let’s plan it for a night we don’t have a game. Duke can help wrangle the little guys.”
Tilly spins to look at me, her smile widening. “Deal.”
Emma’s eyes narrow slightly like she’s trying to figure out what was just agreed to. Before she can overthink it, I lean down, my mouth close to her ear.
“That way, I can take you out for a proper date,” I whisper.
Her eyes snap to mine, wide and uncertain, but there’s a spark there, too. A flicker of something that makes my pulse kick up a notch.
The conversation around us moves on, but Emma stays quiet, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her napkin. I don’t push. We’ve got time to figure this out. And for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to what’s next. So much for trying to stay focused on the game instead of the girl.