Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Trajectories
~~Drakos~~
The trajectory of my life has changed completely.
A few short months ago, all I cared about was hockey, partying, and hooking up with random women.
Now I’m a dad and a homeowner, and I’ll have a live-in girlfriend.
This is the first time I’ve thought of Aria as my girlfriend, but she’ll be living with me in an exclusive relationship and sleeping in my bed, so what else would I call her?
Imagine that. I have a family, or at least the start of one.
And I have hockey. Life is pretty damn good.
It’ll get even better if the Icehawks advance to the next round, which is going to be tough, but not impossible.
We lost in Dallas, which brings the series to three losses and two wins for us.
One more loss and Dallas moves on to the conference finals while we vacation in Hawaii.
I love Hawaii, but I’d rather be playing for a title.
After our loss in Dallas, we flew home and arrived in Portland around 3:00 a.m.
Aria is waiting up for me, and I head that direction. Noah is sleeping, and we’ll have to be very quiet. I don’t want him to know I’m staying with his mom until we tell him the truth about me.
I drive to Aria’s apartment, looking forward to seeing her as I’ve never looked forward to seeing anyone who isn’t a relative.
Is this how it feels to have someone to come home to after a tough loss? We’d led up until the last minute, when Dallas scored two goals and won the game. This loss was brutal, but we’ll bounce back. We don’t have a choice. Regardless, nothing can dampen my high spirits.
I knock lightly on the door, but no one answers.
I try the doorknob. It’s not locked. Slipping inside, I leave my suitcase near the door and tiptoe into the living room.
The television is on with volume low. Aria’s bundled under a blanket and sound asleep.
I gaze down at her fondly, and a slow smile crosses my face.
She’s so peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful.
I’ve been around more beautiful women than I can count, yet none of them hold a candle to Aria.
The first time I laid eyes on her was way back when the team was introduced to the media before we played our first season.
Her natural beauty drew me in. My interest in her was short-lived once I read her initial scathing article attacking me.
Now our conflicts seem like years ago, and I’ve forgiven her.
She did what she did to put food on the table.
Maybe she sold her soul to the devil temporarily, but she came to her senses and did the right thing by refusing to further compromise her ethics.
I respect someone who learns from their mistakes and becomes a better person.
A wave of tenderness fills all my empty spaces, areas that’ve been barren since a bomb decimated my entire family. I never thought I might feel unbridled happiness again except on the ice, but I do. Right now, in this place, I feel as if I’m finally where I’m meant to be.
My heart feels full enough to burst in my chest. I’ve found my missing pieces in Aria and Noah. I love my son with every fiber of my being. I’d give my life for him.
And Aria?
I stare down at her sleeping form. She looks positively angelic, but I know better, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can look at her forever and never grow tired of gazing at that face.
Aria stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. I bend down and scoop her into my arms. She snuggles against my chest. She feels so damn fucking good, like I could do this forever.
And then reality hit me like a bolt of lightning from out of the blue.
I love this woman, from how she cares for Noah to her ability to put me in my place to her unbridled passion when we’re making love.
Making love?
I don’t recall using that term for any other woman in my life. All I did with them was fuck them. But with Aria, it was never just fucking. It’s always been more. And it always will be. We’ll make this work. I know we will as surely as I know my own name.
I carry her into the bedroom and place her gently on the bed. Stripping down to my boxers, I climb in next to her and wrap the covers around both of us. She burrows into my chest and cuddles against me. I’m content to hold her and listen to the steady sound of her breathing.
If I become homeless tomorrow, I’ll still be rich with Aria by my side. I’ve spent my adult life pursuing carnal pleasures and an elusive Stanley Cup, but nothing compares to this woman and what she means to me.
I love her.
I fall asleep with a smile on my face, a song in my heart, and excitement in what the future holds.
When I wake the next morning, Aria isn’t in bed, but the sheets are still warm, so she hasn’t been up long.
I check the time. It’s Saturday, which makes today the perfect time to tell Noah.
I’m nervous as hell about this. I’m pretty certain he’ll be thrilled, but there’s always that little niggling doubt.
I stroll into the kitchen where Aria is making waffles and drinking coffee. I grin like a kid on Christmas morning, put my arms around her waist from behind, and give her a long, sloppy kiss.
“Good morning.” Contentment spreads through me. If I had any doubts about Aria and myself, they’re fading quickly.
“Good morning. What time did you get in?”
“About three.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because you looked so damn cute sleeping.”
She rolls her eyes, and I chuckle.
I nuzzle her neck. “Aria?”
“Yes?” She cranes her neck to look up into my eyes. She clearly picks up something in my tone, and she’s puzzled.
I break into a broad smile because this is the moment. “I love you.”
“What?” She stiffens and turns in my arms, gaping at me in sheer horror or surprise or shock or what? I experience a fleeting moment of fear. What if I’m wrong? What if she doesn’t feel the same? What if? What if? What if?
I gather my courage and repeat my declaration. No turning back now. “I love you.”
“You love me?” She shakes her head, as if in denial.
“I do.” I utter two simple words that I mean with every fiber of my soul. I hold my breath while my heart pounds. What if I’ve miscalculated? I’m putting myself out there, allowing myself to be vulnerable, and hoping to the heavens Aria is on the same page.
She’s silent for a long while and not looking me in the eye. Both red flags that tie my stomach into knots. I don’t recall ever being so terrified in my life.
Aria moves into me, placing her arms around my neck. Her gaze meets mine, and I have my answer. It’s plain as day shining in her eyes, but I need to hear it from her lips.
“Well?” I prod.
“Well what?” The brat’s teasing me.
“What’s for breakfast?” I tease right back.
“Who needs food?” She smirks and stands on tiptoes to kiss me. I’m more than happy to oblige. She still hasn’t said it, but she will. My confidence surges because I saw it in her eyes. A person can’t fake that look.
“Ewwww. Yuck.” Noah groans, and we jump apart and whip around to face him. He rubs the sleep from his eyes as he stands before us in Icehawks pajamas. “Why are you kissing my aunt?”
I consider my answer and opt for the truth. “Because I adore her.”
Noah perks up. “You do? Are you going to marry her?”
“Let’s not jump ahead that far,” Aria rushes to reply before I do.
“Why else would you kiss her?”
“Uh, because it’s what two adults do when they like each other.”
He frowns, obviously a little confused and uncertain what’s going on. Of course he’s off-balance. He hasn’t seen us together like this, and it might come as a bit of a shock.
Aria’s quick glance in my direction says more than words. Now is the time. I’m nervous, but I’m excited. “Noah, sit down. There’s something Drakos and I need to tell you.”
He climbs onto a tall barstool at the counter.
Aria seats herself next to him, while I stand on the opposite side of the counter.
He’s troubled yet hopeful, while I’m literally sick to my stomach with unreasonable fear he might reject me.
My instincts say he won’t, but I can’t help but fret.
I force a confident smile on my face and wait for Aria’s cue as to which one of us should do the talking.
She nods in my direction. She’s letting me tell him, which is appropriate, I guess.
Noah stares at me with the innocence of a child behind the eyes of a kid who’s seen too much too early. I close my eyes briefly, gather my thoughts, and face my son.
“Noah, I knew your mother.”
“You did?” I can tell by his astonishment that this is the last thing he’s expecting to hear.
“Yeah, not really well, but we spent some time together.”
He nods with the utmost seriousness, as if he understands the gravity of what I’m about to tell him.
“There’s no easy way to say this, but I’m your dad.”
Noah shakes his head. “You can’t be. My dad is dead.”
Aria and I stare at each other. Neither of us expects this penalty hit.
“He’s not dead. I’m your dad, only I didn’t know it.”
“You’re wrong. My mom wouldn’t lie to me.” Okay, this is awkward. Panicking, I look to Aria for help. She’s at a loss as much as I am.
“Noah, honey, Drakos is your dad.”
“No! My mom would never lie.” Noah jumps off the stool and runs to his bedroom, slamming the door.
“That went well.” I try to lighten the mood with a joke that falls flat.
Aria isn’t amused. “Give him a while to think this through.”
“I have to go to practice. I’ll come back in a few hours.”
“That’s a good idea.”
I leave with a much heavier heart than I had when I entered this apartment hours ago. It’s as if my newly found family is slipping from my grasp. I’m holding on with all I have, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough.