17. Bold Move
CHAPTER 17
BOLD MOVE
MILES
S he’s here? Delilah’s date brought her to a fucking game?
They’re not in the family section, so he must have tickets on his own. They’re not the worst civilian seats and unfortunately, I can see her clearly. She looks away after a moment and I hear the team celebrating around me.
“You know I got a goal, right? What’s wrong with you?”
Andrew stares at me and I blink.
“I’m just shocked. A minute into the game? We’re going to murder them tonight.”
“That’s the right attitude.”
I watch as he goes to skate by the bench of smiling faces and regain my composure.
I try not to look at her for the rest of the game and use the energy for my daughter as she sits with my family. She’s going there for the night since Delilah has no idea when she’ll be finished, which makes me think she’s planned her own sleepover.
The guy looks like a nerd to me. Clearly, he’s into Delilah, but I don’t see that vibrancy I’m used to with her. There isn’t any chemistry, and a sick part of me wonders if this is her rebound.
This team is here to give us a run for our money, and we all have to play tough. Our defense is on point, and we get to their goal more than they want us to, judging by their angry expressions.
When someone shoves our goalie and tries to make it look like an accident, there’s a lot of commotion as we all go to handle the situation hockey style. I get in someone’s face, remembering Lola is watching me and keep it civil. I don’t need a penalty and she doesn’t need to see her dad clock some goon in the face. Sure, Lola will know this is an aggressive sport, but later.
The refs separate everyone and send the initial player to the penalty box, and I grin as I skate past the other team’s bench. A few choice words are muttered towards me, but I quickly hop over the railing to reach our bench for a break.
“Got close there, Adams.”
Gabe looks at me, and I shrug.
“Nothing happened. Just a conversation. I don’t need my daughter seeing me in a fight at three years old.”
“You’ve been off since the beginning of the game. Everything good?”
How is he so good at reading people? It’s what makes Gabe an excellent captain until he singles me out.
“Yeah, we’re winning. What more can I ask?”
He lets it go to discuss something with the coaches and I take a long drink of water. We’re a few minutes out from the second period ending and I glance back to see Delilah looking at me with wide eyes.
“Is that Del?”
I look at Andrew looking up as he slides into the seat behind me.
“Huh?”
It’s time to play dumb and I watch him scowl.
“Who is the guy? She brought him here?”
“We’re a popular team and a lot of people come to our games. If she’s not in the family seats, then he has tickets. I didn’t see her sitting with Lola and Mom said Delilah has plans tonight.”
“A date at my game? He must have balls.”
Exactly.
We go back for a pep talk on the break between periods,and I focus on the words instead of Delilah. This game is everything right now and if Lola is safe, I don’t need to think about anything else.
Somehow, the other team takes control of the last period, and we lose by one goal. We’re all stunned and watch as they celebrate around their bench; I don’t miss the looks we get.
“What happened?”
Andrew is still in shock, and I glance at him.
“They got the upper hand, even with our lead and their penalties. It’s early in the season and we’ll bounce back. No worries.”
“She brought bad luck when she came here with that guy. It has to be that.”
I shake my head, and we file into a line to leave the ice for the night. I’m not happy about it, but I can’t react like her brother. Andrew would smell blood if I claimed Delilah in any way, shape, or form.
We have the talk everyone dreads and discuss what to do differently next time. There isn’t a team dinner and I walk slowly to my car. I don’t want to go home, but I’m not sure if Lola is still awake. If I go home, I’ll wait all night for Delilah like a psychopath.
I sit in my car and read my texts from friends and family, trying to console me over the loss. Mom invited me to their house for my favorite dessert. I start the engine and head right over. Her chocolate cake always makes everything better.
Lola is still awake but in her pajamas and she hugs me.
“Daddy? Lilah?”
“She’s out tonight, bug. You’re going to stay at Grandma’s house tonight.”
“Daddy win?”
“Not tonight.”
I set her down, and we take seats at the table for the decadent cake.
“They came on strong in the third. It would be a lot for any team.”
I smile weakly at Dad as he offers me a sympathetic smile.
“I know. I just thought we had it. They tried to shake things up with the goalie thing, but everyone walked away. We were supposed to win.”
“It was just the one goal, honey.”
“One goal is a lot, Mom.”
After dessert, I sit with Lola on the couch until she falls asleep curled into me. This little girl gives me so much light and I lean back with an exhausted sigh.
“I am taking her to bed, and I want you to use the guest room. You’re exhausted and I’ll make breakfast for everyone tomorrow. There are clothes in there from your old room.”
They turned my old room into Lola’s room since it’s big enough for furniture and her toys. The guest room is small, but all I need is a bed.
“You want me to sleep at your house?”
“It beats you driving this way. Calm a mom’s worried heart. Please?”
“Okay. Fine. I’ll stay.”
This way, I don’t have to wonder when Delilah will get home. It’s a win for me, unlike the game tonight.
I sleep well considering I’m not home in my enormous bed listening to the sounds of the country at night. My parents live in town, so it is an urban sound, but I didn’t hear too many of them.
When I wake up, the house smells like coffee and bacon. My stomach growls and I rise, pulling on a sweatshirt before making my way to the kitchen.
Lola is at the table like a queen with her juice, babbling as Mom cooks a big breakfast. When she sees me, she gasps and reaches her arms out.
“Daddy!”
“I stayed here too, bug. Grandma made me do it.”
“Forgive me for wanting to keep my son safe.”
Laughing, I look at my daughter.
“How did you sleep?”
She always rests well here, and I think it’s because Lola knows how loved she is. When she asks about Delilah again, I realize Lola feels safe around our nanny, too.
“Lola sure misses her when she’s not around. You struck gold with that girl.”
“Delilah is a great nanny. I’m sure she enjoyed the break last night and you know I love when Lola is with you guys.”
“Brynn saw her with a guy on the upper level. Was she on a date?”
Jealousy floods me and I settle Lola back into her seat to keep myself busy.
“No clue. I just know she asked you to bring Lola to the game.”
Mom watches me closely as I get some coffee.
“Need any help?”
I look at Mom as she grins.
“You want to help with breakfast? That’s new.”
“I feel bad just watching you go at it on your own. I know Lola is learning to cook, but I don’t think she’s at your level yet.”
“Is she?”
Mom looks at me with a smile.
“Age appropriate. She helps Delilah a lot.”
“That’s sweet. It’ll be fun when she can help me out.”
We eat with everyone, and it brings me back to the days of being younger and living here. I wouldn’t want to go back there, but I enjoy being reminded how outstanding my family is, especially with Lola. She needs a solid set of grandparents and that’s one thing I’ve given her.
Lola wants to play with Brynn, so I pour some more coffee and sit on the couch. There is practice later, but I’ll figure out what to do with Lola then. I’m sure Delilah will be home since my schedule is written on the calendar on the fridge.
I sent her a text before leaving to see if she’s available for Lola tonight.
D: I’m your nanny, aren’t I? Of course I’m here.
M: Noted. I’m bringing her home soon.
When we get there, Lola runs in, screaming Delilah’s name as I watch with distaste. Why does she have to love her so much?
I walk into the kitchen to see the girls hugging like they haven’t seen each other for years. Delilah looks at me over Lola’s shoulder and I see her eyes narrow for a moment.
“Is there a problem?”
I challenge her to answer since she can’t be upset because I didn’t come home last night. She was on a date at my game.
“Of course not. When is practice?”
Her voice sounds clipped, and I shake my head at her.
“It’s at two since we don’t have a game tonight. After last night’s train wreck, it might run long.”
“That was a tough loss. I’m sorry. They pushed you guys the entire game.”
Delilah smiles sadly and I want to let my mind empty of all the thoughts I’ve cycled through, but Lola is here.
“Did you enjoy it otherwise?”
“Miles. I didn’t plan on that, but Colton got tickets. I didn’t know how to tell him no.”
“Just so you know, Andrew saw you. I’d expect a call soon.”
“Great.”
“I am going to get ready to head out and work out with anyone that is there early.”
“I’ll have leftovers for you when you get back. Lola and I are making salmon and veggies tonight.”
“Fishy?”
We both look down at Lola and I can’t help smiling. She’s learning more than I ever anticipated.
I dress for the drive and hop into the car. I have no idea if she was home last night, and she’s wondering where I was. That much is obvious. I should tell her I stayed with my family, but Lola might take care of that for me tonight.
I get in an hour workout before hitting the ice, sweaty and sore. It’s as hard as we all thought it might be, and the focus is on what happened in the last minutes of the game. We stopped trying and it bit us in the ass. Gabe pushes us along with the coaches, and I almost drop when they said to go home and get some rest. Tomorrow is game day and an early practice.
I drive home and find the house to be dark. There is a plate wrapped in foil in the fridge, but I don’t know if I have the energy to heat it up. I settle for some water and the idea of buying breakfast on the way to practice tomorrow, heading to my room for the hottest shower my body can stand.