Page 15

Mmm. Yeah. I like the sound of that. The Bale Whisperer.

I watch as Lillian stalks to the freezer and starts pulling out the tubs of ice cream before I turn and jog to the front door. I see Nolan through the glass, and feel my chest constrict.

He’s younger than me and single. Doesn’t have kids to worry about. He’s fun, is able to go out and party… What if Lillian wants to get to know him?

Why am I even thinking about this? I want her, but I don’t think it’s a good idea, right? Fuck. But it could also be incredible.

I swing open the door and Nolan starts tossing me my bags. “Who pissed in your juice this morning? You look like you want to strangle someone.” I frown at him and shake my head tossing my bags in the foyer.

“I’m fine,” he grunts and I sigh internally.

“Want an ice cream shake? The girls are still… shaken up about what happened with their mom.”

He shrugs and steps in, shutting the door behind him. I pull him to the side and tell him everything that happened, how I still need to call Andy and get some shit settled at the courthouse.

He shakes his head. “What a damn nightmare, bro. I’m sorry to hear that.” He glances around the wall and groans. “Damn… you could have said she’s fucking smokin’. I would have demanded to get over here sooner.” I nudge him in the shoulder and shake my head and he pouts. “Fine. I won’t fuck her.”

I snort and send him a look. “What makes you think she would fuck you ?”

He cocks a brow at me and straightens to his full height, crossing his arms over his chest and flexing his arms. “If I could get a goddess like Marie to sleep with me for years… I could get anyone.”

I laugh out loud and lick my lips, glancing away. “I’m sorry about her, man. I know you had real feelings for her. Did you ever tell her?”

He sighs and shoves his fingers in his pocket as he rocks back on his heels.

“Nope. I think I already knew that she was in love with James. She was, is, just so fucking incredible. She’s just…

different, you know? And so damn smart that it made my brain hurt.

She can keep up with most of us on the ice, patches us up, and she’s a damn freak in the bedroom too.

If I wasn’t so fucking lame I would have begged us to be real… But… shit happens, life happens.”

I nod and clap his back. “Just focus on hockey for now. You’re still young. And stay away from puck bunnies.”

He smiles and we head into the kitchen as Lillian flicks on the blender and the girls all cheer and wave to Nolan when he makes his way over to them. He’s always been great with them. Lillian glances over her shoulder and her eyes widen when they land on my team’s goalie.

I tilt my head and glance over at him. I mean, he’s not bad looking. I don’t think. But he’s not me. He’s about the same height as me and has a darker tan on his skin… Darker brown hair with deeper, darker eyes.

Damn. I guess he’s all right.

Lillian switches off the machine and starts pulling down glasses. “All right, boys and girls, this one is the S’mores Shake. Who wants a taste before we move onto Bananas and Cream?”

We all raise our hands and her smile lights up her face. Nolan and I step up to the island and we sit down, sipping on the marshmallow and chocolate swirled drinks that are topped with graham cracker crumbs. It’s fantastic.

It was definitely my favorite over the bananas and cream one. Not a fan. But I still choked it down.

“Ladies, go wash up and then we’re going to play outside. Maybe daddy’s friend will join us? He sure looks a lot faster and stronger than I am.”

Avery and Nessa pout up at Nolan, fluttering their eyelashes. “Please?”

He nods and waves them off glancing back over to Lillian with a smirk. He gives her a long once-over and I watch as her face flushes with his perusal of her body. “I’m Nolan, best goalie to have ever lived. I’ve heard a lot about you, Lillian.”

She nods and holds out her hand over the island for them to shake.

“I don’t know much about you, to be honest. We seem to usually skip over the hockey talk unless it’s after a game and I ask questions.

” She chuckles and shakes her head, pushing her hair behind her ears.

“Well, you boys go get washed up, too. I’m going to do the dishes and chop up some fruit to take out back with us.

” She waves us out of the area and I leave without a thought.

“Damn… Man she is something else.” He pats my shoulder and steps into one of the guest bathrooms, leaving the door open as he washes his hands. “Have you talked to her about anything more ?”

I shake my head. “No, we tiptoe around it. I know she’s feeling the same way, or at least starting to. She’s so sweet about it, blushes constantly. It’s fucking adorable.”

He smirks and nods. “You should bring her out one night… Maybe Logan and Bianca want a quiet night soon and wouldn’t mind sitting in with the girls.”

I shrug. “Let me know about dates for the cookout here, too. I want to make sure we have everything we need. I also need to check the propane in the barbecue.”