Page 3 of Daddies on Ice

“You already know they don’t win,” Trent says.

When Ash is in town and isn’t playing, he and Trent like to come over to my place and watch whatever games Ash wasn’t able to see.

Ash sends Trent a sheepish look and shrugs his shoulders. “The dude can’t hold on to the biscuit if his life depended on it.”

Lucky for me, I’ve learned the hockey lingo, so I know abiscuitis sport slang for the puck.

“The goalie’s no better,” Trent adds. “I swear, his glove is like a sieve. Everything slips through it.”

I shake my head indulgently and return my attention to my laptop. Sitting here, curled up in a chair with my computer on my lap, Becky lying on the floor and coloring, and Trent and Ash watching hockey, is familiar and comfortable.

It’s been somewhat of a tradition for the past year or so and it’s what I needed after losing my job the other day.

Something to take my mind off finding employment.

I haven’t told Becky yet, but then she’s only five. She wouldn’t understand the enormity of the problem, and even if she did, I wouldn’t want to burden her with worry.

“Tish!”

I jerk my head up and realize Trent has been calling my name.

“What?”

He frowns, concern shining in his light blue eyes. “You’re a million miles away today. What’s wrong?”

Ash looks away from the TV and watches me, concern lowering his brows. “You’ve been pretty quiet,” he adds.

My gaze drops to Becky. She’s happily coloring in her book, even humming a song as she finds just the right crayons for her artwork.

She isn’t paying any attention to us adults, which is a good thing.

Lifting my gaze back to Trent, I sigh. “I got fired.”

“Fired?” Trent practically yells.

“Fired? You?” Ash says, his voice lower and full of shock.

“Well, technically, I got let go. Budget cuts.”

Neither of them say anything, the wheels turning in their heads. They both know what my job meant to me. What it meant for me and Becky.

“I’m sorry,” Ash says softly, with meaning.

I meet his brown eyes and nod with a small smile of thanks.

I’ve had a crush on Ash since the first time I met him.

What woman wouldn’t?

He’s gorgeous with blonde hair contrasting so sharply with his dark brown eyes.

He’s tall, built, and…and he’s my brother’s best friend.

Once I realized that, I knew there was no future for us. If Ash could ever see me as anything more than his little sister, that is.

“Thanks,” I finally say. I glance at Becky and the men do the same. “I’m just not sure what to do. There’s not many jobs out there, especially in December. It’s a shitty time to be looking for work.”

“I could find you something to do at my company,” Trent offers.