Chapter 27 #2
“Why are we watching this? I can’t understand a damn word they’re saying?” Granny asks, rocking back and forth in the new rocking chair Aiden bought her a week ago.
Completely immersed in the show, I shove a handful of popcorn into my mouth. “I can’t really understand them either, but I have this theory that if you immerse yourself in something long enough, things will begin to click.”
“Hmm.”
“What was that?” I ask, casting a glance her way.
“I didn’t say a damn thing.”
Rolling my eyes, I look back at the TV. “You didn’t have to. You know you’ve never been one to filter your mouth. If you have something to say, stop beating around the bush and just say it.”
“I’m beginnin’ to think yer a bit sassier than ya let on. I’m just hummin’ is all. Now tell me what’s going on here.”
“Okay, so this guy right here, Damien . . .” I point at the screen.
“I think he was a detective or something in the past . . . anyway he’s on the run and protecting this girl .
. . she’s the daughter of a woman he was in love with .
. . anyway, you see this chick right here?
That’s Agent Lazo. It’s about to be lights out for her. ”
“How do you know that?”
“I learn best by watching and listening. I think I’m starting to catch on,” I say, grabbing another handful of popcorn.
“Kinda like you watched yer dad for twenty-some-odd years.”
I pause with the popcorn halfway to my mouth and gape at her. “Who’s being sassy now?”
“I’m not bein’ no such thing. I’m just sayin’ ya need to take that job is all.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“Says who?” she asks, leaning forward, curiosity marring her expression. “Because the way Aiden talks—”
“Aiden says a lot of things, Granny. Doesn’t make them true.” I wave her off.
“Well, I don’t know a damn thing about hockey, but I know what I saw on the TV, and I could tell you knew what you were doing.”
“You only say that because you don’t know a thing about hockey. Now, shhhh. I need to pay attention,” I say with a mouthful.
She grumbles something under her breath as the front door opens, and the guys come in with Jade running right past them.
“Daddy let me skate today!” Jade says, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “He found these pretty pink skates in the closet at work.”
“He did?” Granny asks.
“Yep. And guess what? They fit me perfectly. He won’t let me bring 'em home ‘cause they’re not mine. We just borrowed 'em. Daddy says he’s going to buy me my own skates so I can be a hockey player when I grow up.”
“Oh, yeah? What position do you wanna play?” I ask, smiling down at her.
“Goalie. Just like Seany.”
Aiden rolls his eyes. “Of course.”
“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, man.” Sean laughs and squats down in front of Jade, tilting her chin to look at him. “If you’re gonna be a goalie, you have to squint your eyes like this.”
He squints, and she squints back.
“Yeah. That’s it. You gotta give a really good mean mug. Purse your lips like this.”
She does as he instructs.
“Good, now scrunch your nose and growl really loud like this. Grrrrrr.”
“Grrrrrrrr.”
“That’s it, mija. You’ll be the best darn goalie anyone’s ever seen.” Sean laughs and ruffles her hair, then turns to Aiden. “Sorry, Brodie, she was born to be a goalie.”
“Eff off. She’s gonna be a winger.” Aiden pats Jade on the back. “Go take your stuff to your room and wash up for supper.”
Smiling, I watch Jade run out of the room and stand to grab my bag.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Aiden asks.
“Of course.”
“Good.” He nods and heads out of the living room, calling over his shoulder, “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
I plop back down on the couch, and Sean takes a seat next to me. His hand slides onto my thigh, and his thumb brushes back and forth as if he’s trying to offer me some semblance of comfort. I hate it when someone says they wanna talk, then they leave you hanging in anticipation.
My brows pinch together. “Do you know what this is about?”
“I do,” he says, and the fact that he’s smiling should tell me I have nothing to worry about, but it doesn’t douse the flames of anxiety burning in my gut.
I glance over at Granny and she smiles. A few minutes later, Aiden strides back into the room with a hefty stack of papers and hands them to me. I catch the petition for his name to be added to Jade’s birth certificate. “This is amazing, Aiden. I’m so happy for you.”
“Keep going,” he encourages.
I flip through page after page, not understanding a single bit of the legal jargon, but then I come across a page with my name. I cast a quick glance up at Aiden, before focusing back on the document.
In the event of my death, incapacity, or inability to care for my minor child, Jaiden Elaine Brodie, I hereby nominate, Hannah Jenkins, Jade’s godmother, as the sole legal guardian of her person and estate . . .
My hand flies to my mouth, and I gasp. Tears blur the words on the page until I can barely make them out.
“Will you be Jade’s godmother?”
My nose burns. My chest aches. And my voice shatters on his name. “Aiden . . .”
Launching myself off the couch, I throw my arms around my best friend.
“Yes,” I choke out, clinging to him. “I’m so honored. You don’t even know how much this means to me.”
“I do know, Han-Han,” Aiden murmurs softly, squeezing me extra tight and rubbing my back.
“Since she doesn’t have her mom, she needs you .
. . and . . . and you need her. I know it's not the same for either one of you. I know there’s no replacements, but maybe you both can bridge the gap for each other. ”
A sob breaks past my lips.
“I love you, Aiden. Thank you.”
“Love you too, Han.”
“Daddy!” Jade’s tiny voice carries down the hall. “I can’t reach the soap!”
Aiden snorts a laugh and releases me.
“I better grab her stool from the kitchen. She was helping with dinner last night.” He starts toward the kitchen, but glances back at us from over his shoulder. “Thank you both.”
I peer up at Sean as he stands with a shit-eating grin on his face. “We forgot to mention I’m her godfather.”
“Poor girl. Aiden! You can’t do that to her,” I joke.
Sean turns to me, his jaw dropping in mock horror. “You better take that back right now, Rebel.”
I toss my hand in the direction of where she is. “What are you gonna do when she’s a teenager, huh? Steal her phone and track her down? Stalk her?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Uh-huh.” I laugh, knowing damn well he’s lying.
Jade’s giggle carries into the living room, and that sound . . . God, that sound just mends the heart.