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TWENTY-EIGHT

GAVIN

April

In the two weeks since I became a dad, my life has become unrecognizable. The living room, which I’ve always kept free of clutter, is now littered with a baby mat—for tummy time; it’s important according to all the books—toys, washcloths, diapers, and a playpen.

Brooks and Sara come over most nights so I can shower and make dinner without having to wear Vivi.

The baby carrier Beckett ordered has been a lifesaver. Both Vivi and I prefer when I hold her, and I do it as often as I can, but I draw the line at using the stove with a baby strapped to my chest.

One time I had the preheated oven all the way open before I realized I was wearing her. For days after that, I had visions of what would have happened if I’d dropped her.

How the hell do people do this alone? Yes, I’m a single dad, but I’ve got all three brothers, Sara, and an entire hockey team helping me.Thank god I moved into this building when I did. If it wasn’t Brooks and Sara stopping by, it was one of my players. None of them have much experience with babies, yet they’re a hell of a lot better with her than I am.

Tonight, Sara and Ava—the head of charitable relations for Langfield Corp—disappeared with Vivi, and then the team showed up with pizza and beer and a couple of cans of paint. Apparently, they decided we should paint Vivi’s room.

When I brought Vivi to a game, Sara lost her mind, saying she shouldn’t be out so late.

I get it, but what else was I supposed to do with her? I won’t leave Vivi with just anyone.

Since then, I’ve been paying Ava a ridiculous amount of overtime to travel with the team and help me take care of Vivi.

I hate every minute that I’m not with her. The memory of finding her all alone, knowing her mother left her there, will forever haunt me. No child should ever feel abandoned, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she knows she’s wanted. Fuck, she’s wanted so much I can hardly breathe when I look at her.

It isn’t until Daniel cracks the lid and pours the paint into a roller tray that I get a look at the color they picked out. “Blue? Don’t tell me you guys think I’m going to decorate her room in Bolts colors.”

Aiden laughs and picks up a paintbrush. “Nah, it’s 1989 themed. If we want Vivi to be a Taylor and Lake girl, we gotta start now.”

With a grunt, I pick up my own paintbrush. “1980-what?”

“Taylor’s 1989 album? Come on, man,” Aiden groans.

I look at Daniel and mouth, “What the fuck?”

With a paint roller in one hand, he shrugs. “My dad owns a record label. I’d be disowned if I didn’t know my music. And Taylor is one of Lake’s friends.”

“Taylor who?” I’m totally teasing them at this point.

Brooks snorts, rolling out a long strip of blue painters tape. “Don’t let Sara hear you ask that question.”

“Taylor Swift,” Aiden says, eyes wide like I’m the idiot here. “Come on, Heartbreak Prince.”

“Heartbreak who?”

I’m totally goading my brother. He’s been singing Taylor songs at practice every day this week. “Ms. Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” is his go-to when Vivi is around.

Obviously dedicated to helping me understand, he breaks into his rendition.

“ Gav and Vivi, that’s his whole world ,

Ms. Viviane Langfield, she’s the team’s little girl

The whole team will paint this room blue

Gav’s Vivi girl, we really love you.”

With his hands on his hips, Aiden stares me down. “Recognize it now?”

It takes a lot of effort, but I keep my expression blank and dip my brush into the paint. “No idea what you’re going on about, but fine, let’s paint.”

War nudges my arm. “You know all the lyrics, don’t you?”

“Who do you think got Lake Paige to play for the team on New Year’s Eve two years ago? And Taylor last year? Of course I know every word,” I mutter.

War throws his head back and laughs.

For two hours, Aiden sings one Taylor song after another. After each one, he looks at me, brows raised expectantly. “You really don’t know this one?”

Every time I play dumb and shake my head, he gets more exasperated.

By the time we’re done, I’ve learned that War is not only aggressive on the ice, but he can draw the shit out of birds. I was lost about the meaning of the birds until Aiden pulled up an image of the 1989 album cover—Taylor’s version, of course. War painted his birds in varying shades of purple and light pink, making the room look perfect for Vivi girl.

“Ready to hit the road again next week?” Hall asks as he leans against my counter, beer bottle in hand and clothes speckled blue.

“Are you?” I counter. “You’re the one playing.”

He smirks and lifts his beer. “You know what I mean.”

I sigh, my chest tightening. “I hate dragging her from place to place, but what choice do I have?”

“You should look into a nanny.” He waggles his brows. “Isn’t that a thing? Single dad and the nanny?”

Just the idea of a woman who isn’t Millie makes my skin crawl. And bringing a strange woman around my child? “Pass.”It’s hard enough leaving her with Ava.

“Come on, take one for the team. You don’t have to hook up with her, but I could.”

I give him my best disapproving look. “You do not need any help finding a woman.”

He grins. “True. But seriously, think about it. You need full-time help, and Ava has a job to do.”

I take a sip of my beer and check on Vivi. Brooks is holding her while he and Sara make silly faces. The house is filled with laughter and loud voices, just like I envisioned it one day would be. Even Vivi fits perfectly. There’s just one thing missing…

“I’ll think about it.”

Daniel grins. “Not trying to push my luck here, but my father should be calling any minute. He’s going to invite you and Vivi down for the weekend. Say yes. Lake can help with the baby, and you can have a little time to yourself.”

I shake my head. “Um, that’s okay. It’s?—”

“He thinks you’re mad at him.” Daniel scratches his head, grimacing in discomfort, but he continues on. “He says he hasn’t seen you since the day he told you Lake was pregnant. He’s worried that maybe the idea of him having a kid has you feeling, like, left behind or some crazy shit like that.”

Damn. I give the kid credit. Speaking up like this, to not only the owner of his team but his head coach, takes balls.

But fuck if what he said doesn’t send a wave of shame barreling through me. I could see why Ford would think I’m upset with him. I’ve been avoiding him because I haven’t felt like I could look him in the eye after his bombshell led to the discussion that destroyed my relationship with his daughter. I’ve been too afraid I’d blurt it out.

“You need friends, and you need help. And if I’m being honest, he needs you. You were the only one to talk sense into him when he tried to walk away from Lake.”

“How do you know that?”

He hits me with a grin. “My dad and I talk.”

I love that. I’ve always been big on being honest and just communicating. “Fine. I’ll say yes if he asks.”

Daniel nods and heads toward the living room, leaving me by myself in the kitchen, hoping like hell his father doesn’t actually call. Five minutes later, though, my phone rings and Ford’s number flashes across the screen.

Guess I’ll be spending the weekend in Bristol.