Chapter 37
Thirty-Seven
Storm
Lips tingling, I adjust my cup and try to focus.
Unfortunately, considering that most of the blood in my body is currently in my dick—same as it’s been for the last weeks, but most especially over last two weeks that Poppy and I have be all in on each other—adjusting my cup doesn’t really do anything.
I’m hard and uncomfortable and aching.
Turns out it’s challenging to sneak in personal adult time when trying to build a relationship with my six-year-old, and working to regain the woman I love’s trust and helping her with her bar, and remodeling my childhood home with my brother, and being roped into all sorts of Cedar Hollow shenanigans all while prepping for the season, something that involves lots of gym time—and today, ice time.
Because Holly’s going to be watching.
And Poppy.
For the first time in several seasons, I want to play hockey.
No, I want to kick ass in hockey.
So, I’ve been hitting the gym and today I’m getting on the ice, and even though my woman just laid a kiss on me that left me with an aching dick, I’m grinning.
Because I’m taking my time.
I’ve lost too much with my girls—no way will I rush anything.
And even though Poppy and I are stealing kisses and touches and I’ve coaxed her to an orgasm several more times, I haven’t let her return the favor.
When we finally go there again, I won’t rush it.
Even if my balls are very much not on board with my plan.
Still, it’s kind of fun, sneaking around, making out, falling asleep (and waking up) in each other’s arms, so I’m not complaining.
Much.
I watch Poppy climb the metal bleachers at the Cedar Hollow Ice Center—or maybe it’s that I’m watching her ass as she joins Clover and Holly on the top bench.
Clover’s scowling, probably because she tried her damndest to get out of coming here this after, but Holly used her powers of persuasion (and adorable gray eyes) to coax Clover into joining…and obviously succeeded.
Shep is already on the ice, likely trying to impress her.
But my teammate has made little progress with The Enforcer.
Little progress is the theme of the moment—because nothing much has changed between Rain and Riley either. They’re ignoring each other and pretending that Gertie Walkins didn’t see them making out at the Inn the other day.
Thank God, I’m not the only Harrison in the Cedar Hollow Gazette.
And Rain is about as amused as I am—or as I was.
Because it’s certainly much more fun to see headlines not about me.
CAUGHT OUT IN THE RAIN? DON’T WORRY RILEY SANDERS KNOWS HOW TO STAY WARM
Paired with a shadowed image of Rain and Riley cuddled up under the eaves of the Cedar Hollow Inn, rain pouring down around them as they locked lips.
RECLUSIVE WIDOWER MIGHT HAVE FOUND NEW LOVE
That one came with a newcomer named Angela Rhodes showing up suddenly in town. She’s surly and stubborn enough to give Gertie and Clover runs for their money…but apparently has a soft spot for Everett, who owns the bookstore in town.
How do I know this?
Consider me properly indoctrinated into the Cedar Hollow Gossip Circle.
But my favorite headline of late?
THE ENFORCER SHOWS NO SIGN OF BENDING TO GRUMPY HOCKEY DEFENSEMEN
Coupled with a photograph of Shep glaring as he left Clover’s flower shop.
And there was more Shep news in the paper, namely that he made another apology to Poppy—though instead of picking up more shifts at Sully’s and schlepping more Cedar Hollow Kisses, it was to somehow convince the city council to make rocky road the official ice cream flavor of Cedar Hollow.
Poppy liked that even more than him being behind the bar at Sully’s.
Especially because he secured Pop free rocky road for life at Scoops.
My teammate is insane, but when he uses his powers for good…
Yeah, he’s pretty likable.
“Oof,” I grunt, my side stinging as my “likable” teammate launches a puck at me. I turn, glare at him. “What the fuck?”
“Ice time isn’t free!” he calls.
“I know, asshole, but I’m waiting for someone.”
“Who—”
“Let’s go, dudes!” Smitty booms as the big defenseman comes out of the locker room. He’s trailed by our teammate, Ace, who’s shaking his head.
Because if Shep brings Shepnanigans then Smitty…well, Smitty is—
“Did you see those geese outside?!” he shudders as he climbs onto the rink, Ace pausing to kiss his wife, Violet, and watch her climb the stands to sit beside Holly, Clover, and Poppy.
“I never thought I’d find an animal more terrifying than wombats.
” Smitty shudders again then skates over and starts stretching on the ice beside me.
“But those beady black eyes? They’re like a direct connection to hell itself. ”
Just…Smitty.
I grin.
Shep skates over and kneels next to Smitty. They haven’t met before and maybe in another world they wouldn’t get along—what with them both being such big personalities—but the twosome immediately hit it off, commiserating about the overlapping scariness of Canadian Geese and wombats.
Beady eyes, scary claws, and obscene poop practices.
“One to two pounds per day?” Smitty asks, his mouth dropping open.
“Apparently,” Shep agrees.
Smitty’s eyes come to mine. “Why do you want to live here again?”
I just cut my gaze to the stands.
He follows my stare, face going soft when he spots Vi and Clover chatting with Holly and Poppy.
“How’s Kailey feeling?” I ask.
His wife is pregnant and it wasn’t an easy journey to get there—nor has it been an easy pregnancy.
“She’s doing better.” He grins. “We’re having a little girl.”
Congrats are shared all around and then Smitty’s attention goes to Ace. “Your wife still have a desk for me when I retire?”
Ace rolls his eyes, shakes his head. “I think you should focus on your own career.”
“Except, I’m an expert matchmaker, just like Vi. Think about how many hockey players we could match if we combined powers.”
Clarke shakes his head. “Are we here to practice or just chitchat?”
“Both,” Smitty says, popping up to his feet. “Always.”
Griff and Wilder—who is new to the team but just moved back home to Cedar Hollow—have joined us.
Griff is the quiet type, and I don’t know Wilder well.
He was a few years older than me, so our paths didn’t often pass on the youth team circuit here in town.
But he’s skilled and a hard worker and was a good addition to the Hawks roster in the offseason.
Maybe we have some hope of not being the worst team in the league this season.
On that thought, we get down to work.
We’re not doing anything crazy, mostly working on shots and tips, passing and two-on-ones. This is a tune up to get our skates back beneath us…and maybe it’s a bit of showing off for our women in the stands.
“Hot damn!” Smitty whistles when Shep makes a sick move around him and roofs the puck.
I glance toward the stands, see that Clover is watching, her eyes wide, her mouth slack-jawed.
She recovers quickly, looking away before Shep can catch her watching, and I smother a laugh—I don’t think I’ve met two more stubborn people in my life.
I wink at Poppy, who’s keeping an eye on Holly as she plays with a group of kids, including Wilder’s son, Asher. They’re all running around like tiny lunatics hitting balls with mini sticks and I make a mental note to get my kiddo back on the ice.
She’s got good hands.
Luckily, so do I.
So, I set about doing some impressing of my own, deking and shooting, skating hard and doing my best to make Poppy’s mouth go slack like Clover’s had.
By the time our ice is up, I’m sweaty and exhausted.
And fucking happy.
And for the first time in as long as I can remember, it doesn’t feel wrong or fragile or transitory, doesn’t feel like the other shoe is about to drop.
It just feels…natural.
Same as it does to invite the guys down to the beach for food and beers from The Shack after we shower and clean up.
Same as it does to scoop Holly up onto my shoulders and to kiss Poppy until her cheeks go pink before we make the walk.
Same as it does to shake my head at Gertie Walkins and her camera phone and to give Gerald a wide berth on the way.
Same as it does…
To live my life without the shadow of Norm Harrison lingering over me.