6. Six
Six
Avery
I lace up my skates, the familiar action calming my nerves. The rink bustles with energy as my teammates warm up. I’m not ready to participate in a bout just yet, but I’ve resumed going to practice. It’s great exercise and the friendships are the best.
I take a deep breath, trying to focus on the defensive moves we’re working on, but my mind keeps drifting back to Diego and how he got me to let go of all of my defenses.
If only my ex hadn’t cut our outing short. Before his call, I’d never been so relaxed my entire life.
“Earth to Avery!” Beatrix waves her hand in front of my face. “You okay? You seem a million miles away.”
I shake my head, forcing a smile. “Sorry, just… distracted.”
Beatrix pulls me away from the team and we skate the perimeter. “What’s got you so wrapped up?”
For a moment, I consider brushing her off, but the weight of my secrets feels too heavy to bear alone. “I met someone,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper .
“The guy from the cigar shop?” Beatrix asks.
I bite my lip, hesitating. “He’s amazing. He wants to do everything for me. He’s so attentive and gorgeous. But…”
“But what? Sounds perfect to me.”
“I’m not being honest with him,” I confess, guilt gnawing at my insides. “About my past.”
Beatrix’s expression softens. “About your ex?”
I nod, fighting back tears. “I’m terrified of what might happen if he finds out. And it’s not just Diego. There’s Bane, too.” The floodgates open. “When I’m with him and Evie, it feels like we’re a real family—something I’ve never had.”
“But your brothers…”
“They’ve taken good care of me. But I mean a real family… parents who love their kids,” I whisper, the words hanging in the air between us.
Before Beatrix can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the chatter. “Surprise!”
I whip my head around to see Diego striding toward us, looking impossibly handsome in his leather jacket and jeans. My heart does a little flip, joy and anxiety warring inside me.
“I’ll be done in just a minute.” I’m unable to keep the smile off my face as I skate toward him. He dropped me off and is supposed to pick me up, but he’s a few minutes early.
Diego grins, pulling me into a quick hug over the divider wall between the roller rink and the carpeted spectator area. “Thought I’d check out this roller derby thing you’re so passionate about. Maybe even try it myself.”
I raise an eyebrow, amusement shoving my worries aside. “You? On skates?”
“How hard can it be?” He winks.
His enthusiasm for life and experiences makes me want to be the best version of myself possible. I want him in my baby’s life as a positive influence.
“Oh, this I gotta see,” Beatrix chimes in.
I spend the next hour giving Diego an impromptu skating lesson. He’s clumsy but eager, and clings to my hand like a lifeline. The physical contact sends sparks through me, but also causes me to think about my feelings for Bane. Several other teammates have unconventional relationships. Could we?
“You’re a natural,” I tease as he wobbles around the rink.
Diego pulls me closer, his breath warm on my ear. “I’ve got a great teacher.”
At the beginning of Diego’s lesson, I was acutely aware of my teammates’ curious glances and whispered comments. Part of me swelled with pride to be seen with someone like Diego. No longer a single mom, with nothing but a horrible ex.
But another part shrinks from it, not wanting to get too attached.
Now we’re alone. He pins me against a wall, reminding me how good he is with his mouth, and how thick his cock is as it’s pressed between us.
“Since I’m basically a pro after my first lesson with you, I’ll take you out for hot cocoa.”
He’s so damn cocky and carefree. I wish I could channel it.
As Diego orders from the food truck that serves cocoa and other sweets, my blood runs cold. There, across the street, sits my ex on his motorcycle. His eyes are laser-focused on us.
Diego doesn’t notice. He takes the drinks from the vendor and steps to the side closer to my ex. I pull him to a table the other direction, out of sight.
“Everything okay?” Diego asks.
I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as brittle as it feels. “Yeah, just a little chilly. There’s less wind over here.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket. With trembling fingers, I pull it out.
My ex’s text message hits me like a punch to the gut.
I’ll get a court order for a paternity test. You can’t hide forever.
“You don’t look so good. Want to take these home?”
I lean back to glance around the food truck at my ex who’s still there. I don’t want him to figure out where I live now.
“Actually, could we hang out here for a bit? I’d love to hear more about that mixology workshop you went to… or tried to go to.”
He tells me about not mixing creams and acids like fruits. There’s so much more to mixing drinks than I knew. I listen but my attention is split, one eye always on Roman .
Every minute feels like an hour as I wait for him to leave, until finally, he revs his engine several times and speeds away.
“What was that all about?” Diego laughs at the noisy exit.
“Some people think they’re the center of the universe.”
As we climb onto Diego’s motorcycle, I decide that I’ll come clean when we get home. If they’re going to hold my ex against me, I would rather find out now before I get too invested. And certainly, before the kids can get hurt by a separation.
The warmth of Bane’s living room envelops me as I step inside—a welcome relief after the chilly ride. Diego excuses himself to go write down a recipe idea he got while talking to me about mixology.
Evie’s squawks fill the air. Bane is pacing with her, his brow furrowed in concentration, and for a moment, I feel a sense of camaraderie. Parenthood is no joke. Been there too many times.
“Hey,” I say softly, approaching. “Need a hand?”
“You’re a lifesaver. She’s been cranky all afternoon. Your little one went right to sleep.”
“You should have called.” I take Evie into my arms, her small body instantly relaxing against me. I start to sway gently, a lullaby escaping my lips before I’m even aware of it. Evie’s cries melt into sniffles, then silence.
“How do you do that?” Bane asks, a hint of awe in his voice.
I shrug. “Instinct, I guess.”
His smile is like a reward. “It’s more than that. You have a way with kids, Avery. ”
“Most days I feel like I’m failing,” I whisper, still swaying with Evie.
“She’s out,” Bane whispers. “And yeah, I know what you mean. Being a parent can strip away every success. But then sometimes it gives back in bigger ways than you can ever imagine.”
“It’s wild like that.”
Bane nods, his gaze softening as it falls on Evie. “It’s terrifying, the responsibility. Every decision, every action… it all matters.”
“We just do our best to do right by these tiny humans who depend on us. Especially while I was doing it without a partner. I don’t know what I would have done without my brothers, and now you.”
My connection to Bane is hitting hard.
He takes Evie from my arms, careful to keep her sleeping form nestled against his chest. Our hands brush, an electric current passing between us. I swallow, suddenly hyperaware of how blue his eyes are, how his scruff accentuates his strong jawline.
He leans in close, and my pulse quickens. “Thank you, Avery. For everything.”
Beary falls softly to the ground as Bane pulls away. I grab the toy and follow him to Evie’s bed. Tucking the stuffed animal in with her, I stand, suddenly coming face to face with Bane.
His body heat draws me in. Our fingers touch. Next thing I know, his lips are on mine. My body’s responding with no less enthusiasm than it did for Diego.
Diego, who could walk in—but I can’t bring myself to care.
Bane’s kiss is sweet, tender and full of unspoken emotions. Then suddenly, he pulls away, his eyes filled with apology. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
He glances at Evie and turns to leave.
My heart is racing. “It was nothing. A mistake.”
I turn to leave, but Diego is standing in the doorway.
Have I ruined everything?
“We just got carried away. Won’t happen again.”
Can he sense the confusion in my lie? Can Bane?
“Right.” Diego disappears down the hallway.
I rush out, heading the other direction and lock myself in my bedroom.