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Thirty-Three

Henry

“Shit, Daddy, trying to impress someone?” Tweetie slaps me on the back on the way to the locker room.

“Just a good night,” I say, but hell yes. I wanted Jade to see me excel. I wanted her to watch that game and think to herself that’s my man .

“Nah, it was the Jade effect.” Conor sits on the bench, taking off his equipment.

“Are you guys suggesting I usually suck?” I take off my skates, wanting to get in the shower and out to see Jade and Bodhi as soon as possible.

“You were just everywhere tonight, that’s all,” Tweetie says.

Rowan sits next to me and peeks up at me as he unties his skates. He knows how it is because I saw him do it for Kyleigh when she came to her first game. He was a monster out there too. It’s something we share that Conor and Tweetie can’t understand. For their sakes, I hope they do one day.

“I gotta hit the showers.” I drop my uniform in the wash pile and head toward the showers for the quickest shower of my life.

I hate that we’re keeping this dating thing a secret, but I don’t want all eyes on us while we’re trying to discover what we could be. When she said she wanted to stay in Chicago, I just about pounced on her, begging her to marry me. Thank God I have some composure, and I didn’t embarrass myself.

“Hensley, get your ass ready for interviews,” Coach Buford hollers at me. “It’s you and Nilsen.”

Fuck, another delay.

I get dressed, and Rowan slaps me on the back. “I’ll let her know you’re coming.”

Conor and I head into the press room and sit beside each other. I glance at my watch, hoping this doesn’t take too long.

They call on the first reporter. “Impressive game by both of you tonight. Did you have any extra incentive because you were playing against a former teammate, Henry?”

I straighten in my seat. “No. I just had a good game.”

I don’t know why the press always thinks that playing against a college teammate would increase my desire to win. I want to win every game. Plus, Greg and I were never on bad terms.

The next reporter stands. “Pinkie, you’re having a great season. What do you attribute it to?”

Conor clears his throat and leans into the microphone. “I’m just good?” He shrugs and earns a laugh from some of the reporters. “Honestly, there’re a lot of factors. But I love this team and my teammates.”

It’s true. This year, we all feel something magical in the air. Everything is going our way, and I worry that it could go off the rails at some point.

“And the Cup? Everyone says you guys have a great chance this year.”

We look at one another.

“Yeah, we’re not speaking on that. It’s obviously something we want to win, but we have to take it one game at a time to get there,” I say.

We answer some more questions and finally excuse ourselves so Coach Buford can take over. He slaps us on the back.

Once we’re in the hallway, Conor stops me. “Go see your girl. I’m not even prying into what happened last night.” He holds up his hands. “But if you want to share, I’m here.”

“Nothing happened. We just had to clear the air. Thanks again.”

“Anytime.”

We grab our bags and head to the room where family members can wait.

Tweetie and Rowan are there, talking with Bodhi while Jade and Kyleigh sit in a set of chairs, laughing together. I love the feeling of family with this group. Especially with Jade in the mix now.

“Daddy!” Bodhi runs to me, and I drop my bag, picking him up.

“Hey, bud. What did you think?”

“You did good,” he says, squeezing his arms tightly around my neck.

“Thanks.”

Jade walks over. “Great game.”

She looks so good in her jeans and a Falcons sweatshirt, her dark hair down and wavy with just the right amount of makeup that complements her already beautiful features.

“Thanks.” I situate Bodhi so he’s on my hip, wishing I could wrap my free arm around her and pull her in for a kiss.

“I’m hungry,” Bodhi says.

“Hungry? Every time I looked over you were eating.”

He shrugs. It’s a school night. I’m not father of the year tonight, that’s for sure. But we don’t have another home game until next week, and I really wanted Jade to come sooner rather than later. I could have had Mack watch Bodhi, but my son is my life, and if she’s going to be a part of that, it includes Bodhi.

“We could go get some McDonald’s?” Jade shrugs.

“Yay! Nuggets.” Bodhi squirms out of my hold and runs over to the others, telling them we’re going to McDonald’s.

“Hey, teacher, he has school tomorrow,” I tease.

“Come on, Henry, it’s one night.”

“Well, it’s your punishment when you have him in class tomorrow.”

“I’m good with that.” She gives me one of her teasing smiles.

I lower my voice and lean in closer. “I really want to kiss you right now.”

“I really want you to kiss me right now.” She slides her tongue along her bottom lip.

I feel my dick come to attention in my pants. “Such a tease.”

“Yep.” I love that she doesn’t deny it or play coy games. “Until tomorrow.”

I scour the room and try to think of any excuse I can use to get Jade alone, but there’s nothing we could say that wouldn’t make everyone suspicious. Everyone else is huddled together, whispering. What are they doing?

“Who wants McDonald’s?” I ask.

Bodhi bolts up and runs over. “Me!” He raises his hand.

“We’ll let you guys go,” Conor says. “I’m spent after all that trampoline fun from yesterday and then tonight’s game.”

One by one, they leave, saying their goodbyes.

As I wait for Bodhi and Jade to go first, I run my hand over Jade’s lower back and grab her ass right before opening the door for her to go through. I wish I could celebrate my win by sinking into her, but I’ll have to settle for sharing some fries.