Page 18 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

Maclan

I 'm startled awake by Celeste's alarmed voice. Wincing, I try to find the words I rehearsed a million times before passing out on the couch with Talon while I waited for her to get home. I shift to sit up, but Talon starts stirring on my chest, so I lie back down.

"Mac," Celeste growls through clenched teeth. "What happened to my son?"

"He took a bad spill at practice tonight. When I went to get my phone to call you, there was a text from Thoren, saying how it's a small world. He and his sister were at dinner with you, and it was going really well.

"I know how important tonight was, and I didn't want to ruin it, so I called Ezra while our team doctor examined Talon.

Once the doc confirmed the break, he suggested I take him to the emergency department.

Ezra was on speaker phone at that point, so he told me not to interrupt your meeting and that he'd meet us there, since he could make decisions for the kids on your behalf.

"I swear I was going to call you, but with Ezra stepping up, I didn't want to derail your night. He, along with your parents, met us at the hospital. Your folks took the girls to their house while Ez hung out with me and Talon, who was so damn brave, Cel.

"Once the cast was on and we got the all-clear to go, Ezra offered to take Talon to his house, but he said he wanted me to bring him home.

I have all of his paperwork and pain medicine on the kitchen counter.

I'm not sure what time it is, but after I gave him his dose of pain meds, he asked if we could snuggle and watch a movie.

Apparently, I was just as tired since you found us both passed out when you walked in. "

Celeste has been silently seething the entire time. Her arms are crossed over her chest, nails digging into her skin, and her jaw is clenched.

I was weary of Ezra's reassurances that Celeste would understand why I hadn't called, but now I'm really fucking regretting listening to him as I see the anger rolling off her in waves.

"He is my child, Maclan." She points her finger at her chest. "You"—her finger jabs angrily in my direction—"do not get to make these decisions for me. Do. You. Understand?" she grits out as her body shakes.

As carefully as I can, I slide out from underneath Talon and make my way towards his mom.

I watch as she hastily swipes at the tears rolling down her face.

Cautiously, I grab her wrist then pull her into my chest. She's tense as fuck for what feels like forever, but at last, I feel her relax as I run my hands up her back.

Her head rests on my chest, and she wraps one arm around me tightly as a sob rips from her throat, which she tries to muffle with her free hand.

"I'm so sorry for not calling you, Celeste. I fucked up. I didn't feel right about not calling, but Ezra swore it would be fine."

"Well, Ezra's not his fucking parent," she snaps as her spine stiffens and she glares at me.

"I know. I know," I assure her. "I did my best in a very fucking scary situation. I understand he's your son. I didn't mean to keep you in the dark about this, I swear.

"Our orthopedic doctor for the team is one of the best in the country.

He assured me that Talon's break was minimal and that the ER would easily be able to handle his injury.

Then Ezra assured me you would be okay with him stepping in and taking Talon to the ER, so I trusted his judgement.

I know now that it wasn't the right decision. "

I watch anxiously as Celeste takes a deep breath and slowly exhales it but stays safely tucked in my arms. "I'm sorry for snapping at you, Mac.

" Her eyes still have tears in them as she tries to calmly explain what's running through her head right now.

"All I can compare to how I'm feeling right now is how I'm sure you were feeling when Talon got hurt under your watch.

To come home and find my baby's arm in a cast was bad enough, but to not have a clue that he got hurt, to not be there for him while he was in pain, guts me.

While I was off trying to gain my sense of independence outside of being a mom, my baby boy was hurt, and I was not there for him.

" Tears spill from her eyes as she buries her face in my chest again.

"Hey, it's okay." I grip her chin and tilt her head up to make sure she hears what I'm about to say.

"Even if you were there, he still would've gotten hurt.

You chasing your dreams is a good fucking thing, you hear me?

You're showing your kids that, yes, you're their mom, but you're so much more than that.

You're fearless, independent, strong, and brave every single day for those babies.

Starting something new is scary, but you're diving in with both feet.

You're going to be a kick-ass agent, but you need to jumpstart your career.

I wasn't about to derail that tonight after Ezra said he had the situation handled.

Next time, I will defer to you to make that decision, but I think everything worked out alright, all things considered. "

"I don't know how brave I am, but thank you for saying those things. And thank you for acknowledging to call me if something like this were to ever happen again. I will talk to Ezra about making decisions like this as far as my kids are concerned. So, what did the doctor say?"

"The ER confirmed that he has a hairline fracture in one of his wrist bones.

The cast will be on for four weeks, but kids heal super-fast, so he'll probably be driving you crazy within a few days.

Obviously, no hockey until its healed and gets cleared by his pediatrician.

Oh, speaking of which, he said to call and make an appointment just so that they are kept in the loop and can set up a date to remove his cast. As far as pain management goes, they sent home some extra-strength Tylenol and a chart to track the doses.

Ice, even though it's in the cast, rest, and elevation are the best things for him for the next few days, to help with any swelling and pain. "

Celeste nods, then sighs. "I can manage that, but he's going to be a nightmare as soon as it starts feeling better."

"I'm sure he will be. I remember the twins and I drove my mom nuts every time we got hurt and had to 'take it easy', which was a phrase that was not in our vocabulary."

"Ugh, that's not what I wanted to hear. You're supposed to reassure me it's not gonna be that bad." Celeste bangs her head on my chest.

I chuckle as I rub her back some more. "Sorry, gorgeous. That's one promise I can't make. I will come help him burn off some steam in ways that won't hurt him further when I have some free time, though. Also, I have a bone to pick with you."

"Me?" Celeste points a finger at her chest, her brows raised at my stern expression.

“Yes, you. Why the hell haven't I gotten an invite to my girl's first birthday? I saw it on the calendar and couldn't believe that's the first I was learning of it. How could you leave me out of such a monumental occasion? Layla Bug will be so mad at me if I'm not there." I huff indignantly.

Celeste laughs as she steps out of my arms. "I'm so sorry.

" She raises her hands innocently while taking another step back.

"It honestly slipped my mind with the kids starting school, Talon's hockey, and me diving back into work.

Shit. I have so much to do before next weekend to pull her party together.

" Celeste rubs a hand over her brow as anxiety floods her face.

"Hey, calm down. Let me help you. If there's something neither of us can do, I'm sure your parents will be more than willing to help. Do you have a theme? Are you an over-the-top celebrator for the first birthdays kind of mom or more into a small and intimate party with close friends and family?"

Celeste stares at me, eyes wide and jaw open. "Umm…" She blinks a few times but still stares at me in bewilderment.

"Quit looking at me like that." I laugh nervously as my hand grabs the back of my neck.

"I've gone to several first birthdays for my teammates' kids.

I've seen them all, but my favorite parties are the ones centered around the baby and their family, not the extravagance. But that's just my two cents."

"I've done themes for the other two, so I figured I'd do one for Layla too.

That being said, I like to keep the party on the small side, with family and close friends.

Please forgive me for not inviting you sooner, but we'd absolutely love for you to be there.

As for help, I'll take all I can get, seeing as it's less than a week and a half away, and I've done zero planning. "

"I'll be there. We have a home game Saturday night, so maybe everyone can come watch it after the party?

I've got away games starting Sunday, but I'll be home by next Thursday.

I can help with whatever you need as far as planning and ordering, then once I'm home Thursday, I can help with party setup. "

"It sounds like you've got a busy week coming up. I don't want to put you out. I'm sure I can get my mom to help me." Celeste worries her lip.

"Gorgeous, we've talked about this. I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to help. Now, it's getting late. How about I carry Talon to bed, and we can talk tomorrow about a game plan for Bug's party?"

"Okay, but I can carry him."

"I know you can, but I'd like to if you'll let me." I wait for her response, then smile when she nods.

Talon is still sleeping peacefully on the couch, much to my relief. My poor little dude was so brave tonight after getting hurt. He handled himself better than I did, if I'm being honest.