Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
West
We land in St. Louis around two in the afternoon, and I have a limo pick us up.
It’s not about showing off so much as spoiling Serena.
I don’t think she fully understands how much she brings to my life.
Much of it is intangible—how peaceful it is to cuddle before we fall asleep, or the companionship when we cook together—but I feel it.
Enjoy it. Hell, I’m starting to crave it.
“This is a big car!” Joey exclaims excitedly.
“It is.” Serena grins as she glances at me. “You didn’t have to get a limo.”
“I wanted to. I thought we’d have some fun since this is technically our first date, first vacation, first everything.”
“Not everything,” she murmurs, playfully batting her eyelashes at me.
I hate that we still haven’t gone out on a proper date, but it’s coming. As soon as we get back from St. Louis. We start the second half of the season with a week of home games, so I’m coming up with a plan.
In the meantime, I want us to have a good time. I have a few gifts for both Serena and Joey, but I’ll wait until we get to the hotel to give them to them.
“See the arch?” I ask Joey as we go through downtown and point to it in the distance.
“What is it?” he asks curiously.
“It’s called the Gateway Arch, and it’s more than six hundred feet tall.”
“Six hundred feet!” His eyes widen. “Cool!”
“You want to go up to the top?”
“Yay!” He bounces in his car seat happily.
“I got tickets for us,” I tell Serena. “We can settle at the hotel and then walk over.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She’s gazing out the window, a sweet smile on her pretty face.
We’re not staying at the same hotel as everyone else, and I did that by design.
For one thing, I wanted to be closer to the arch, and we’ll have a view of it from our room.
And for another, I’m hoping that by staying somewhere else I’ll be less likely to be recognized.
Not that I mind, but I’m hoping Serena and I can have a modicum of privacy on our first trip together.
As a family.
The thought is a little jarring because a month ago I didn’t even know her.
Now I’m calling her and Joey…family. My family.
And I still haven’t taken her out on a proper date.
How fucked up and backward is this? I have to do better and stop treating her, and Joey, like they’re temporary distractions. They’re part of my life now.
I need to make sure I show it, especially this weekend.
My buddy Banks Christenson, from my old team, is going to be here so I’m looking forward to seeing him again, introducing him to Serena, maybe spending a little time together since I don’t talk to him much anymore.
That’s another part of the situation with my ex that sucks.
Banks is like a brother to her, and though he never took sides, there’s no doubt our friendship has suffered.
Obviously, my trade to Atlanta doesn’t help either, but we’re not tight like we used to be so it’ll be nice to just hang out. I’m sure Aspen and Serena will get along so that’s one of the bonuses of coming to the All-Star weekend, even if I’m not playing.
“Oh my God, West!” Serena’s eyes are round as saucers as she looks around the suite I booked for us. “This room is bigger than my apartment!”
“I thought we’d splurge since we’ve never traveled together before.”
“This is amazing—look at the view!” She stands by the window staring and then spins around to throw her arms around my neck, kissing me soundly. “Thank you. I love this.”
“You’re welcome.” My arms close around her and I’m just about to kiss her more deeply when I feel something touching my legs. Little arms wrapping around my thigh, and a warm body pressing in. Like he’s joining us.
Ah, hell.
I reach down and scoop him up with one arm, holding him between us. “You ready to go see the arch, big guy?”
He claps his hands. “It’s six thousand feet high!”
Close enough, little man.
“Six hundred feet,” Serena gently corrects him. “Let me change my shoes since we’re going to be doing a lot of walking.”
“I’ll get the stroller,” I say. We had to bring his car seat and the stroller, which seems like a lot, but in reality it just makes our lives easier. This way, Joey has somewhere to crash if he gets tired.
“You ready?” I ask Serena once she’s packed a bag for Joey.
“I’m ready for anything,” she announces.
I love the sound of that.
We spend a fantastic afternoon at the arch and then walk around the area. We have dinner at an Italian place I’ve eaten at before and then make our way back to the hotel. We’ve just gotten into the lobby when I hear someone call my name. I turn and grin at Banks.
“Hey!” I walk over to him and he pulls me into a hug.
“Good to see you, man,” he says.
“How’s it going?” I ask, glancing down at the sturdy little toddler hugging his leg. “Holy crap, look how big she is!”
He laughs, lifting his daughter. “You don’t remember Uncle West, do you?” Maisie shyly buries her head in his shoulder.
“She was still a baby when I left,” I say quietly.
“It’s been a while and they grow fast at this age.”
“I can tell. How’s…the boys?” I’m referring to his best friends from college, men who are like family to him. Including the man who took Briar away from me.
“All good. Royal is a dad now, had a baby girl. You know Briar had another baby—a little boy. And Dash and Willow are expecting as well.”
“Not Atlas?” I ask, referring to his billionaire friend.
“Lily’s on tour. They’re saying in the next two years.”
“Glad everyone is doing well.”
“What about you?”
“I’m good. I met someone.”
“Yeah?” He grins. “Is she here?”
“She is.” I look around but Serena has wandered into the gift shop. “I’ll introduce you in a minute.”
“I’d like that.” He pauses. “Are you happy?”
“It’s still new, but yeah. I’ve been keeping things casual but I can’t do it anymore. I don’t want to.”
“You deserve to be happy, West.”
“You sound like my buddy Bodi.”
“He sounds like a smart guy.” He pauses again. “Did I tell you Aspen’s pregnant with a little boy?”
“No! Congratulations, man. Is she here?”
Before he can respond, I hear my name and Aspen comes running across the lobby and then throws her arms around me.
“It’s so good to see you!” she says warmly. “You look great.”
“Thanks—you look pretty good too.” I turn, looking for Serena, who’s come out of the gift shop but is hanging back, holding Joey’s hand. “Babe! Come meet my friends.”
She slowly walks over to join us with a friendly but reserved smile. “Hello.”
“Guys, this is Serena. And Joey.” I slide my arm around her. “Babe, this is Banks Christensen and his wife, Aspen.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she says, her smile growing warmer.
“And this little terror is Maisie,” Banks says, tickling his daughter and making her giggle.
“I’m familiar with that level of terrorism,” Serena says with a laugh.
“How long have you guys been dating?” Aspen asks.
“A little while,” I interject, opting not to get into specifics. “This is her first trip to a hockey-related event like this, figured I’d throw her in the deep end.”
We all chuckle.
“You’ll be fine,” Aspen says to Serena. “In my experience, everyone is welcoming. Especially at events like this where team rivalries are essentially put on hold.”
“You guys want to get breakfast tomorrow before we head out?” I ask.
“We were planning to keep it simple because it’s going to be a long day,” Banks says, “but if you’re down with either room service or the hotel restaurant, I’d love the chance to catch up.”
I glance at Serena. “You okay with that?”
“Of course. Whatever you want to do.”
I slide my hand into hers as we make plans to meet up in the morning.
We separate at the elevators, and I lean over to kiss the side of Serena’s face. “I’m glad you got to meet them. Banks was my best friend on the Vipers.”
“You must miss him.”
“I do. But I’m lucky to have met some great guys on the Thunder.”
“Is it always like that? Where you leave your friends, the roots you set down, and then just start over?”
“I’m not sure, honestly. Professionally, I only played for the Vipers until this season. But some guys get traded every couple of years. We adapt, I guess. I don’t think the friendships end just because of geographical distance, though.”
“Do you miss the team?”
“I miss some things,” I admit. “But now that we have a new coach, it’s a lot better. And honestly, I’m playing great with my new teammates, so I’m happy. Happier than I thought I’d be—and there’s more to it than hockey.”
She gazes up at me with a sweet smile. “You make me happy too.”
I have to admit it feels really good to hear that.
Because these feelings I’m having are starting to go way beyond good sex and companionship.
They’re starting to become meaningful in a way that’s both surprising and intense. She’s become an integral part of my life without even trying and she fits in seamlessly. At my house. With my friends and teammates. Even in my kitchen, which is a big deal to me.
From the outside looking in, I should take my time and be more cautious, but I don’t want to.
I just want her.