Page 25 of Clear Shot (Lauderdale Knights #9)

Hana

The next few weeks pass in a blur. Between house hunting, continuing to volunteer at Cicero’s, going to the team’s home games, and helping Sloane with the baby, I don’t have time to think about job hunting, looking at potential master’s degree programs, or anything else.

When I do have free time, I spend it with Aiden.

We’ve narrowed down our search to two houses—the foreclosure in Johan’s neighborhood and one that just came on the market yesterday.

Aiden didn’t get home from a road trip until last night so we’re going to see it now, and my gut tells me this is the one.

So far, the others all had unforeseen issues that gave us pause.

But now that we’ve seen a few dozen, we have a much clearer picture of what we want.

“I’d like to be in the new house by Christmas,” Aiden tells Rita, our realtor. “Since I’m paying cash, we don’t have to dick around with mortgage companies and such. And I’d like to be settled as soon as possible.”

“Of course. You just have to pick a house,” Rita says with a smile.

We pull up to the house and I can’t help but feel a spark of excitement.

This neighborhood is a little farther away from Johan than I’d like, but it’s closer to Remy’s house and the arena.

It’s also a little more expensive than the others we’ve looked at, but it’s only two years old and no one has ever lived in it.

The owners bought it to be their winter home, but then the husband passed away and the wife never set foot in it again.

There’s a huge, circular driveway with a porte-cochere, and columns lining the front of the house.

Floor-to-ceiling windows along the front of the house make it bright and airy, and it only gets better from there.

The home boasts two double-sided fireplaces—one between the living and dining rooms and the other between the primary bedroom and bathroom.

There’s also a two-story office with a spiral staircase to a small library, and the primary suite has two walk-in closets, a private sitting room, and a built-in snack bar.

The entire house is decadent and has a few features I honestly didn’t know existed in private homes. I can’t think of a single thing I would change, other than the price, but Aiden said not to worry about that.

“This is the house, isn’t it?” he whispers against my ear.

“It’s so much more than I thought…” My voice trails because I’m overwhelmed.

“It’s fucking perfect,” he says. “Let’s make an offer.”

“Are you sure?” I ask quietly. “This is half a million more than we talked about. And much bigger.”

“But it’s move-in ready. We don’t have to do a single thing. And we know the owner is motivated so we might get a bargain.”

I hesitate because it’s so expensive.

So over-the-top.

“Come on,” Aiden whispers, kissing the side of my face. “You know you want it.”

And I do.

“Okay. Yes.” I grin at him excitedly. “Let’s do it.”

“Make an offer,” Aiden tells the realtor. He gives her a number that’s two hundred thousand below asking price and then takes my hand and leads me into the bedroom. “I don’t have a lot of time, so let’s go bedroom furniture shopping. After that, it’s all you.”

I frown. “I don’t know anything about decorating a house this size.”

“You probably know more than me—and you have people you can ask, like Sloane and the other wives and girlfriends. Short-term, all I care about is the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The rest of the house can stay empty until the off-season as far as I’m concerned.”

I chuckle. “What, no hundred-inch TV?”

He shrugs. “Of course, but again, my time is so limited during hockey season.” He pauses and turns to me, the playful look in his eyes gone. “This is kind of what it’s going to be like, Hana.”

“What what’s going to be like?”

“Life as the wife of a pro athlete. I’m gone a lot .

Road trips, practices, game day rituals—I know you understand it intellectually because of your brother, but I don’t know if you really get it on a practical level.

Even when I’m home, I’m usually a lot more distracted than I’ve been because of the hurricane.

I nap on game days. I have a routine I try not to mess up because it messes with my game.

I need to know you’re going to be okay if I’m distracted or generally not around. ”

I cock my head a little. “Is this literal or are you trying to tell me something you’re expecting me to gather by reading between the lines?”

He shakes his head firmly. “I’m not a game player off the ice, babe. I’m being literal. I’m busy as fuck during hockey season, hurricanes notwithstanding. Of course I’d be available in an emergency and I’ll always prioritize you emotionally, but sometimes I simply won’t be able to focus on you.”

I’ve heard a few grumbles from the girls—Sloane and Claudia and Eden—about how sad it is when summer comes to an end because the guys don’t have as much time for them.

But they’re all happy, thriving even.

I can’t imagine it will be any different for me.

Well, a little different because Aiden and I are still new with our relationship, and certainly with being married.

“I’m okay on my own,” I say thoughtfully, “but things are a little different for us than other couples. Most couples fall in love and then get married—we got married and now we’re trying to figure out the rest. I don’t know you as well as I hope to, and we’re basically starting to date, for lack of a better word. ”

I read a flicker of guilt in his eyes and he slowly nods.

“No, you’re right, and I have to keep that in mind.

I just want you to be prepared. If I’m a little distant and distracted—I haven’t lost interest, I’m just busy.

I won’t take you for granted, and if I start to, absolutely give me a kick in the ass.

But I don’t want you to panic and start overthinking things if I come home and genuinely don’t have the energy to make love or don’t feel like talking about the new furniture after losing three in a row on the road. ”

He runs a hand through his thick, dark hair.

“And here’s the other thing—I’m medicated, but major depression can rear its ugly head at any time. I am functional and don’t have wild mood swings, but I still struggle sometimes. If it’s going to work between us, you can’t let it scare you away.”

I smile. “It won’t be that easy to get rid of me. I’m not perfect either.”

He grins, hands skimming the sides of my body. “You look pretty damn close.”

“I’m being serious,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Me too.” He playfully slaps my ass just before Rita joins us.

“I’m having my office prepare the paperwork,” she says. “So I’ll get that out shortly.”

“Perfect.” Aiden nods. “And we’re going bed shopping.”

Rita just laughs.

“We do have to talk about money,” I say once we’re in his SUV.

“I thought we did that this morning,” he says, pulling onto the street.

“We talked about your salary, how much house we can afford, your paycheck structure, that sort of thing. We didn’t discuss things like how much I can spend or what my budget is.”

He grimaces before glancing at me. “I don’t know how other couples do it, but you’re not a child—you’re my wife. What’s mine is yours. We need to go to the bank so I can add you to my accounts and I’m going to order you credit cards.”

“Right, but…” I’m struggling to articulate what I’m trying to say.

“Aiden, I’ve never been rich before! I don’t even know how it works in practice.

How much is too much? When I was in college, I had student housing and a meal plan.

Back in Slovakia, I lived with my family, and when I got the job in Philadelphia, I went between Claudia’s parents’ house in Philly and my brother’s house here.

I’ve never lived on my own beyond college.

I don’t know the details of what utilities cost or anything else. ”

I take a breath. “Beyond my car, insurance, and phone payments, I don’t know how your world works and from that perspective, I’m nervous.”

“Shit, baby, I’m sorry.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “I never considered that. I assumed because of your brother you had a handle on all of this.”

I shake my head. “Not even a little. I’m not stupid.

Obviously, I understand there are utilities and taxes and all the things.

I have a general idea about the cost of groceries and gas, but I know Johan has meals specially prepared for him to meet his nutrition needs.

And I don’t have a clue what that costs.

He also sees a chiropractor, which I assume is covered under insurance, but I hear him say something about copays and maxing out his plan.

Other than two yearly physicals, I haven’t needed to see doctors since I left college, so I don’t know how your health insurance works either. ”

“Then we’ll sit down and talk about all of that.

I’ll make the time. These are the kinds of things I don’t know about you, so make sure you point this stuff out.

As for money…” He smiles. “I learned a tough lesson my first year in the league, but I had mentors who set me straight and now I have a financial planner who keeps me on the straight and narrow.

“Generally speaking, buy what you want. The money isn’t endless, but if you need new sneakers or makeup or whatever, just buy it.

For really big purchases, like furnishing a massive new house, we probably need to talk.

We’ll buy a little at a time. Bedroom furniture and equipping the kitchen first. Then everything else.

I don’t know any more about those things than you, so you’re better served talking to Sloane and the others because I honestly have no idea what that shit costs. ”

“Okay.” I didn’t expect to get carte blanche for my spending and it makes me uncomfortable, but I also don’t want to make a big deal out of this because he’s being incredibly patient with me.

“Don’t worry so much. We’re going to figure everything out together. Promise.”