Page 5

I clap James’s back and get into position in the middle of him and Logan, nodding to the rest of the guys.

Coach Williams drops the puck and Alexi swiftly gains possession, fucking twisting away from all of us. Nolan[6]’s watching the puck like a hawk, guarding the goal as if it’s his treasure trove.

That’s how it should be.

James shoves Alexi into the wall, shooting the puck to Logan and I skate to the other goal, waiting for him to pass it to me.

Logan’s open, I breathe in the icy air as I watch, holding my breath.

Logan nods and slams it to me, and I turn and swipe it towards the goal, barely feeling it when one of the other guys shoves me.

Luckily I’m able to catch myself before I fall flat on my ass. Asshole.

Porter blocks my shot, and then Coach calls us to end the game.

“Good. Keep playing. First to score plays against the third line, and so on. Rookies, you’re sitting out today, watch the guys, and getting a feel for the camaraderie. Tomorrow I’ll be subbing you in.”

He blows the whistle and we line back up, starting from the top.

___________

It’s five o’clock by the time I pull into my garage. Nolan and Landon tried begging me to go out with them but with it only being Lillian’s first day, I wanted to make sure she's getting settled.

Plus I’m starving, fucking exhausted, and I can barely stand on my own two feet. I’m not in my twenties anymore.

James rushed back home to his fiancée and new babies, so I guess I was the pity pick anyway. Maybe next week.

I step through the door and stalk to the kitchen, frowning when it’s so damn silent. It smells amazing though, like pizza.

Tomato sauce, garlic, and cheese.

My stomach growls and I check the fridge and microwave, then finally the oven to see a full, lonely pizza in there, just waiting for me to devour it.

I don’t know if she only made one, so I frown and close the door. I check the playroom and the bedrooms before doing the smart thing and looking in the backyard.

I step up to the sliding glass door in the living room and place my hands in my pockets. They’re playing tag. Lillian is actually running around, laughing, chasing, and playing with them.

I’m not sure if they’ve ever had a woman play with them before, aside from my teammate’s significant others. And even then, it’s mostly just saying ‘hello’ and hugging them.

I open up the door and step out into the cool, balmy air and smile as I sit on a chair and watch, listen, and bask in the comfort of my girls’ laughter and happy squeals.

Lillian eventually notices me and points to where I’m sitting. All three of my girls come sprinting towards me and jump all over my legs and arms. Well, Avery doesn’t, but I still get a quick hug.

“How was your day?” I ask my oldest and she sighs as she wipes the sweat off of her forehead with the back of her hand.

“It was pretty awesome. Nessa and Tilly napped after lunch, like alway and I did my reading. When they woke up we baked cookies, then after we helped clean up the kitchen, we got to help make pizzas! We ate and then came outside to play. We were going to watch a movie and get ready for bed.”

I glance over to Lillian who is collapsed in a chair on the other side of my outdoor table, panting for breath.

“Sounds like an awesome day. Why don’t you girls head in and wash your hands?

I want to try one of those cookies.” Avery nods and leads the younger girls into the house and I look back over to Lillian.

“So? How was your first day?”

She chuckles and blinks her tired eyes open.

“It wasn’t really bad at all, they are…” She hums and rubs her face with her hands.

“They don’t know what to do with me, I think.

I don’t know anything about their mom, but Nessa kept hugging me and begging me not to leave her.

I wanted to know if I could talk to you after they get to bed tonight.

I think I need to know more of a backstory so that I can help ease them into this transition. ”

I nod slowly and stand, glancing at the doors. “Is that pizza in the oven for me? Because I’m starving.”

She nods and stands, heading into the house and washes her hands at the sink. “Yep, I made you a whole pie for yourself. Avery said you just like cheese… I didn’t want to text and bother you over pizza toppings.”

I snort and lean against the counter and watch as she pulls the pizza out and starts to cut it for me. Then she hands me the full dish, a plate, a napkin and points to the fridge with a cocked brow.

“Cheese is fine. It’s actually all they will eat so I made it easier for everyone when I ordered. The more meat, the better, really, when I actually eat this kind of stuff.”

She winces and opens the fridge. “Want a water, a beer?”

I bite into the gooey slice and groan. “Beer.” She slides it over to me and chugs a bottle of water before she leans against the oven.

“Sorry… I didn’t know what you ate. Why don’t you write me a list and I can prepare something for you on nights you’re going to make it home?

I also read through the contract and signed it.

It’s in the drawer where you told me the envelope and keys are.

” She nods over to it and blows out a slow breath.

I hum, holding back a groan, and shrug as I polish off another slice. “I’m pretty easy. Lean meat, protein, grains, and lots of fruits and veggies.”

She nods and pulls out her phone, tapping around.

“I’ll put together a grocery list. I want to start making the girls some smoothies in the morning.

Get in their fruits and vegetables sneakily until I can change their diets little by little.

They were great today and just stuck to water.

I did promise them a little juice in the morning with breakfast since it’s getting too late now.

Oh! What about the movers, did they make it to my place? ”

I sip my beer and nod. “Yep, they said they would be here around six.” I check my watch and see it’s about half an hour away. “They’ll be here soon. I’ll clean up when I’m done.”

She waves as she stalks off and calls out to see where the girls ran off to. I glance down at her back, and subsequently her ass, as she stalks down the hall.

So far, so good.

Too good.