Chapter 58
GAME TIME
Ledger
December…
I’m not a superstitious guy. But lately, since Aubrey’s been coming to the games, I’ve become a man of habit. When I hit the ice, I look to the stands, find her in her usual seat, then wrap my gloved hand around my other wrist ever so briefly.
A sign. Just for her.
She wraps her right hand around her left wrist, making the gesture back.
Then I play my heart out. Not for a place in the hall of fame, or for the next phase of my career, or for a top rank in the sport.
Just because…I love the game.
Tonight, when the puck drops, that’s how I play. The crowd roars as we win the face-off, then as I move fast and aggressively down the ice, weaving in and out of the Phoenix defense, angling for the puck.
I miss the first shot.
But so does Chase when it’s his turn.
I grit my teeth, narrowing in on the opportunities with every line change, dodging the bloodthirsty D-men on the other team.
Then, near the end of the first period, Chase spots an opening and passes to me, and just like that, I’m flying on a breakaway.
My heart rate speeds up as I get closer to the net.
The bite of blades cutting through ice echoes off the walls of the rink as I race toward the goal with the black disc. As soon as the puck leaves my stick, thunderous applause erupts.
And I choose to enjoy every moment of the goal.
* * *
Later, after the game ends with our victory, I leave the locker room hoping to meet my girl in the hallway, but someone cuts me off.
My father.
My shoulders tighten.
Of course he’s here. He broadcast the game tonight for the national network. He’s in his tailored navy-blue suit, no tie, his affable smile pasted on.
Tension slams into me, hard and brutal.
“Great game tonight,” he says, then claps me on the back.
Why the fuck am I so tense? He’s only ever wanted the best for me.
But maybe that’s the issue. After years of wanting the best, I’m just not that interested in it anymore.
“Hey, Dad,” I answer, glancing down the hall to the redhead in the white knit cap who has my heart in her fucking hands.
“Have you given any more thought to my suggestion? We can do a trial run at the house in my media room. Call some past games from YouTube for practice. Really make a go of it, so whenever you’re ready, we’ll get you a plum assignment in the booth.”
Damn, he has my future all mapped out.
I look to Aubrey, ten feet away, wearing my jersey. I don’t answer his question. Instead, I raise a hold that thought finger, “Be right back.”
I close the distance to her, my tension melting. “Come meet my dad. Well, come meet him again. Okay?”
“Sure,” she says with a smile.
That’s how things are with her. Easy. I’ve never felt so understood. So accepted.
I take her hand and bring her over to the man whose career has defined mine. “Dad, this is Aubrey. You probably remember her. Garrett’s little sister,” I say, threading our fingers together more tightly.
“Good to see you again, Mr. McBride,” she says, as friendly as ever.
Dad doesn’t miss a beat. “And you too. Garrett’s doing great. Making deals. He’s a terrific agent. Bet his little girls grow up to be hockey players too.” He’s always focused on business, the next thing, the big opportunities for everyone.
Aubrey’s smile is guileless. “Or maybe they’ll be farmers. Or pilots. Or museum security guards. You never know.”
He blinks. He’s not used to being told he might not know everything. But that’s my girl. She knows there’s more to someone than an expectation. She knows there’s always a choice.
“Maybe,” he says as if he’s not sure what to make of her. He looks to me, decisive again. “We can talk more about the offer another time.”
Actually, we can’t.
“No thanks,” I say, surprising myself by the strength of my conviction.
His brow knits. “No thanks?”
“I don’t want to be a broadcaster.” The statement feels like freedom.
“You don’t?”
Aubrey squeezes my hand, saying, Way to go, without words.
“Nah,” I say. “I don’t want to work in hockey when I’m done.” That feels wholly true too.
Another blink. Another awkward silence, then Dad tilts his head. It’s like life without hockey is completely alien to him. “What do you want to do?”
“No idea. We can talk about it more later.” I give him a quick hug. “Good to see you, Dad. But, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading out with my girlfriend.”
Then I leave with the woman I adore.
The woman who makes me better. Stronger. Calmer.
I steal glances at her the whole of the drive to her home. Dev’s out of town, so it’s just us this evening. I love our time together as a trio, but I love time alone with her too.
Though, we’re not truly alone. Puck Fitzgibbons is bouncing against the walls when we get home. He whines happily when Aubrey opens the door then whimpers as he jumps to greet her, then me, with kisses all around.
“You are such a lover,” Aubrey says, and I fall even more at the way she talks to our dog.
After we walk Puck Fitzgibbons, I show her how much I love my solo time with her, spending a good long time stripping off her clothes, laying her on the bed, and kissing my way down her body, starting with her earlobe. Then, I move to her chin. The hollow of her throat comes next.
The valley of her breasts.
Her soft belly.
One hip, then the other.
She’s writhing, arching, panting, and I haven’t even settled between her thighs yet. But I can’t deny her. I bury my face in her pussy and devour her sweetness till she’s coming hard and fearlessly.
Then I put her on her hands and knees and fuck her and spank her, giving her the good hard fucking she deserves.
I want to tell her soon she’s the love of my life. I hope she’s ready to hear that.
But while I like to do some things alone with her, there are others that involve all of us. Which means I need Dev’s road trip to end really fucking soon.
* * *
Two nights later, we gather at Dev’s place. He’s just returned to town and he’s seriously hungry and can’t wait to eat.
His words.
I’m drinking a scotch as Aubrey plates the dish Dev’s been cooking. It’s some new chickpea, kale, and tofu number that’s making my mouth water thanks to the rosemary in it.
“I’m still amazed you can cook,” Aubrey says, clearly impressed with his kitchen prowess.
He turns off the stove, then he wraps an arm around her waist. “Woman, I’ve got lots of skills. Haven’t I told you?”
I scoff. “Only five hundred times.”
“Can’t wait to try your dinner,” he retorts, knowing full well I can’t cook for shit.
“Fair enough,” I concede.
We sit at the counter and tuck in. The food makes my taste buds sing, and I moan in culinary delight. “Turns out I don’t mind having a chef,” I say.
He lifts his fork. “I wouldn’t mind having someone to take out the trash. You game?”
“Boys, boys,” Aubrey says as if breaking up a fight. “There are enough chores to go around. Just like there’s enough of me. You simply have to take turns.”
“Your favorite thing to do,” I say, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
“It sure is,” Dev says, kissing her other cheek.
As we eat, I’m still thinking about the conversation with my dad at the stadium the other night. I’m glad I told Aubrey my decision about post-hockey life, but if we’re doing this thing—this throuple thing—I can’t leave out one third of us. I need to tell my friend.
I set down my fork and look my buddy in the eyes. “I told my dad I didn’t want to go into the booth with him.”
“Damn!” Dev seems briefly surprised before he offers a fist for knocking. “Excellent.”
There. It’s that simple with Dev. Some things are, and for that I am grateful.
Aubrey lifts her glass of wine. “While we’re at it, I told my mom I never wanted to marry Aiden in the first place.”
Dev whistles, looking from her to me. “Look at you two being all emotionally adjusted and shit. I almost feel left out.” He strokes his chin like he’s deep in thought. “Do I have something I need to tell my parents?”
I laugh. “No, dude. You’d worked through all your emotional baggage by the time you were ten.”
But he stays strangely quiet, unusually serious.
Later that evening, while Aubrey’s sending birthday emails to clients, I leash up the dog and then motion for Dev to join me for a quick walk.
“There’s something I did talk to my mom about last week,” he begins. “Something I want to do for Aubrey.”
He tells me his idea, and the nice thing about falling in love with the same woman is that you can make plans for her together.