Page 4 of One Good Puck (Denver Bashers #5)

Abby

“ C ould I have an espresso martini, please?”

The bartender says no problem. A minute later, he sets it in front of me. I thank him and take a long sip, hoping the caffeine from the espresso hits my bloodstream soon.

“I didn’t know you liked espresso martinis.”

I turn around and see Dakota smiling at me.

I chuckle. “I don’t really. I just need some caffeine in my system. You look so pretty in that dress, by the way. I meant to tell you in the car on the way here.”

She beams and runs her hand along the satin fabric of her off-the-shoulder emerald green dress. “Sam got it for me for my last birthday.”

I smile. “He is so thoughtful.”

Her expression turns wistful as she gazes across the restaurant where Sam is standing with Xander. He looks up and catches eyes with Dakota. The corner of his mouth hooks up, and he winks at her.

She bites back a giddy smile. I chuckle. “You two are ridiculously in love. ”

She lets out a happy sigh. “I’m a lucky lady to have him.”

“And he’s lucky to have you. He was in love with you for what, five years before he told you he had feelings for you?”

Her tan skin flushes, and she tugs on a chunk of her chocolate brown hair, which is styled in soft waves. She bites back a giddy smile. “Something like that.”

I chuckle. “You two are adorable. Your love story is something out of a romance novel.”

I think about how Sam and Dakota were friends for years before they got together. The whole time, they had crushes on each other and didn’t realize it.

Sam is the best friend and teammate of Del, Dakota’s big brother. And since Del was so protective of Dakota, Sam never made a move. But when Dakota’s last relationship fell apart, she moved in with Sam, and all that time spent together made their mutual feelings impossible to deny.

A faint ache hits my chest just thinking about their love story. How amazing it would be to have someone like that in my life…

But after being a single mom for the past seven years, I’ve given up on romance. Things with Emma’s dad were a disaster. And the few times I’ve tried to date, it’s been just as disappointing. I guess romance just isn’t in the cards for me.

I push aside the sad thought and sip more of my drink. Dakota orders a champagne cocktail and takes a sip. Her dark brown eyes are bright as she looks at my dress.

“You look freaking gorgeous,” Dakota says. “That dress looks like it was made for your body.”

I make a flustered sound and skim my free hand along the side of my hip.

“And that color! It matches your eyes perfectly,” Dakota raves.

“You don’t think it’s too much?” I grab the pleated skirt of the silky mint-green dress I’m wearing. It’s flowy with a delicate sweetheart bodice and thin straps.

“It’s perfect, hot mama.”

My head tilts back as I laugh. “I don’t know about that.”

Dakota gently shoves my shoulder. “Nope. None of that dismissive talk about yourself. You’re a hottie, Abby Taylor. Own it.”

I tip my glass at her. “If you say so.”

“Gotta say, I agree with Dakota’s assessment. You’re very hot.”

I turn and see Camden Connors running his gaze along the length of my body.

I roll my eyes and laugh. If any other man so openly ogled me, I’d be creeped out, but I know Camden is harmless.

I met him months ago, and he’s a flirt with every available woman in his vicinity.

He’s also almost ten years younger than me.

As cute as he is, I’m just not into younger guys.

“I appreciate the compliment, Camden, but it’s never gonna happen,” I say.

He shrugs. “Can’t blame a guy for shooting his shot.”

A second later, Xander and Sophie walk over to us. Xander claps a hand on Camden’s shoulder.

“If you could stop hitting on our party guests, that would be awesome,” Xander says.

Camden holds his hands up, like he’s surrendering. “Sorry.”

A second later, his gaze catches on a pretty redhead across the room who’s wearing a low-cut dress.

“Gotta go,” Camden says before making a beeline to her .

Xander rolls his eyes before turning to me. “Sorry about him,” he says.

I wave a hand. “It’s fine. He’s harmless.”

“Yeah, but he is annoying as fuck.” Xander squints in Camden’s direction. “And he’s currently hitting on my cousin. Goddamn it.”

Xander marches off to confront Camden while Sophie, Dakota, and I burst out laughing.

I hug Sophie. “Thank you so much for inviting me.”

She beams. “Of course! We’re so happy you could make it. How’s Emma doing?”

“She’s okay. My parents are watching her tonight so I could come out. She had the stomach flu the past couple of days, and that was a little rough.”

“Oh, that’s the worst,” Sophie says.

“Yeah, she couldn’t keep anything down for a while there. But yesterday she finally turned a corner and can keep bland solids down, so that’s good,” I say.

“You must be exhausted,” Sophie says.

I nod and hold up my drink. “That’s what the espresso martini is for. I haven’t gotten much sleep these past two nights while taking care of her.”

“You’re super mom, Abby,” Dakota says before turning back to Sophie. “She didn’t even call into work when Emma was sick. She still showed up and was an angel with her students.”

I wave a hand and chuckle. “It’s all part of being a mom.”

They both shake their heads. “No, you’re amazing. Really,” Sophie says.

I try to smile despite how un-amazing I often feel. I love my daughter more than anything. I wouldn’t trade being a mom for the world, but I’d be lying if I said that being a single parent is easy. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s exhausting, and it always feels like I’m falling short.

Even though I work full-time as a teacher, money is always tight.

Between rent, groceries, gas, insurance, and other surprise expenses that pop up every month, I don’t have much left over.

Thankfully, my parents live in the city and they help out with childcare, so I’ve never had to pay for that.

But still…When I see the happy families around me…

When I see kids who get to have both parents in their lives, that familiar, ugly feeling gnaws at the pit of my stomach.

I couldn’t give my daughter the foundation of a loving family…

I halt the thought before it can burrow any deeper. My daughter is safe and healthy and happy. She’s never gone hungry. I may not be able to get her the newest gadgets or clothes or toys, but she’s always had a place to call home and a mom who loves her. I tell myself that’s enough.

I smile at Sophie and Dakota’s kind words, hoping it doesn’t look as forced as it feels.

“Thanks, you guys. You’re so sweet,” I say.

A minute later, Ingrid, Maya, and Bella walk over to us. We all hug and say hi. They’re all partners of Xander’s teammates and have always been so kind and welcoming to me when I’ve hung out with them.

When I first met them, I assumed they wouldn’t want to be friends with me.

I’m a single mom, and they’re all childless.

They’re younger than me by a few years, too.

But they’ve invited me out to brunches and girls’ nights so many times.

I know now that they’re all genuine people, and it feels amazing to count them as new friends.

“How’s your dad holding up?” Dakota asks Sophie.

“What do you mean?” Sophie asks .

“He’s marrying off his little girl. His only child. He must be pretty torn up about that.”

A tender smile pulls at Sophie’s mouth. She’s wearing a bold red lip color, and her long, strawberry blonde hair is straight. Her fair coloring pops beautifully against the white lace cocktail dress she’s wearing.

“He’s hanging in there,” Sophie says. “He got pretty emotional when I asked him to walk me down the aisle.”

All the ladies and I go, “aww!” in unison.

Ingrid, the social media manager for the Bashers, gives Sophie’s shoulder a soft squeeze. “He’s going to be a mess on your wedding day. It’s going to be so sweet.”

A familiar pang lands at the center of my chest when I hear about the relationship Sophie has with her dad. How close they are. How this tough hockey coach is soft for his daughter.

I’m so happy for her, but it also kills me to know that my own daughter won’t ever have that relationship with her dad. He’s only ever seen her a dozen times since she was born. I don’t even know where he lives. He’s too busy being selfish to build a relationship with his only daughter.

Sophie’s smile turns wobbly, and her eyes are teary. She fans her hands in front of her face. “I can’t cry! I’ll mess up my makeup!”

I rip apart the cocktail napkin in my hand and gently press the pieces under her eyes to keep her mascara from running.

Sophie lets out a watery chuckle. “Thanks, Abby. You’re a lifesaver.”

“No problem.” I smile at her. “It’s so sweet, the relationship you have with your dad.”

I pull away the napkin pieces a few seconds later. Thankfully, Sophie’s makeup is fully intact .

“He’s the best dad in the world,” she says.

“He was pretty overprotective of me for a long time. It honestly drove me crazy. But as I get older, I understand why he’s like that.

You love your kids more than anything. They’re your whole heart.

I’m not a parent yet, but when I am, I’m sure I’ll be protective too.

And I’m sure Xander will be a lot like my dad was with me if we end up having a daughter. ”

Everyone chuckles. I do too, despite the ache in my chest thinking of Emma, how she’ll never feel that love from her father.

We chat for a few minutes while sipping our drinks and grazing on the appetizers. Xander walks by and grabs four puff pastry bites with his massive hand from the tray of a waiter walking by.

He downs them in just a few bites, then kisses Sophie. While everyone gets pulled into side conversations, I run to the restroom. On my way out, my phone buzzes in my purse. When I see it’s my landlord calling, I answer right away.

“Hey, Howard. What’s up?”

“Hi, Abby. I’m so sorry, but I have some bad news. I won’t be able to renew your lease at the end of next month. You’re going to have to move out.”