Page 24 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

Celeste

I wake up in the morning, feeling more rested than I have in a long time. Stretching, I reach across the bed but find it cold. Disappointment floods me when I realize Mac is no longer here.

I can't believe he left without saying goodbye, but then again, we didn't talk about what would happen this morning. I could see Mac getting up and leaving before the kids get out of bed so as not to cause any confusion.

Speaking of the kids, it's way too bright out for none of them to have woken me.

Snagging my phone from the nightstand, I see it's after ten.

My eyes bulge out. I jump out of bed and race out into the hall, where my feet skid to a halt. My babies' giggles, along with Mac's husky laugh, ring out from the kitchen. Relief washes through me when I realize he didn't leave.

Desperate to see what they're up to, I rush to my bathroom, handle my business, brush my teeth, then make my way to the kitchen. The sight before my eyes has my heart fluttering in my chest and a smile blooming on my face.

Layla is in her highchair, munching on some fruit, while Calla is helping Mac stir a bowl on the counter. Talon is concentrating hard on his task at the table.

"Whoa, sweet Calla. I think that's enough chocolate chips." Mac grabs the bag from her hands as she shakes her head no.

"Mo, mo, mo chocwet, Mac!" she cries, her arms excitedly waving in the air.

"Yes, chocolate is delicious, but we need there to be some pancake too." He ruffles her hair then turns back to the stove.

"How are you doing cutting up that fruit, little dude?" Mac calls over his shoulder.

"I think the bananas are done. Are you sure they are going to taste good in pancakes?" Talon wrinkles his nose.

"They are going to be delicious. Especially with the chocolate pancakes."

"If you say so," my son grumbles, making Mac smile.

Nobody has noticed me yet, so I silently continue to watch their interactions from the doorway.

It's something I've never experienced with the kids since their father is the most self-centered man alive.

He never went out of his way to tend to the kids so that I could sleep, let alone made breakfast with them.

Mac is mending another piece that was broken within me without even realizing it. Mac's a natural with the kids. He's patient and caring. He easily shares his love and affection, and while he's healing my broken heart, he's healing theirs as well.

I'm still watching when my Layla girl spots me.

"Mama!" she yells with delight.

"Hey, gorgeous." Mac turns, pancake on his face.

"What are y'all up to this morning?" I make my way into the kitchen and greet each of my kids before Mac pulls me into his arms and plants the most delicious kiss on my lips.

Calla and Talon giggle.

A "whoa" slips from my lips when I pull away.

"Morning." Mac gives me a wicked grin as he releases me.

"So…" I look at him questioningly.

"I told you last night, Cel, if we cross that line, you're mine. I'm not hiding how I feel about you, especially from the kids." He levels me a hard look. "It's about time they see a man treat you the way you deserve. You good with that?" His eyes are intense as they bore into my own.

"Yeah, I think I am." My voice is barely above a whisper.

"Good. Now, go sit down. You ruined our plan to bring you breakfast in bed." He winks at me as he goes back to flipping pancakes and guiding the kids through making breakfast.

I sit down like he told me to and bask in the joy that is filling my home. The kitchen is a disaster, the kids are a mess, but happiness is here, and that's all I hope for my kids.

Mac picks up his phone and turns on some music, which has Layla bopping in her highchair, Calla dancing on the counter, and Talon doing some dance move he learned from his friends at school.

"Careful, sweet Calla." Mac scoops her off the counter so her feet are firmly on the floor. He turns to me, not missing a beat. "You want some coffee?"

I nod, unable to speak the words that are choked in my throat.

I'm loving this morning and everything I'm experiencing, but it's so foreign.

It's going to take a while for me to come to terms with this being my new normal.

So, for now, I sit back and watch my kids and Mac as they enjoy making breakfast together while I sip my coffee.

Talon sets the table while Mac plates the food, and I get Calla into her booster seat.

"Everything smells delicious, you guys. Thank you for letting me sleep in and making me this amazing breakfast."

"You're welcome, Mom. Mac said that since you work hard for us all the time, we should do something nice for you."

"This is wonderful, and I really appreciate it." I ruffle his hair.

"So, what's on the agenda for the day?" Mac looks at me.

"We don't have any plans today. Sundays, I usually do a grocery run, laundry, and clean the house so we can start the week out fresh. What about you? Do you have to head into work?"

"Nope. Coach is pretty good about giving us the next day off after a three or four-game stretch. We all need a break after that much time together. Mind if I tag along? We can divide and conquer."

"I'll never say no to someone coming along on grocery day."

We dive into our breakfast, clean up the kitchen, then spend the day running errands and getting my house in order to start off the week. It's so normal, but having Mac with me makes a world of difference.

The only blip in our day was when we were stopped at the store by fans who recognized Mac.

He handled the situation like the professional he is while making sure the kids and I were okay and stayed out of the spotlight.

I didn't realize how public our relationship would be until that moment, even with how the crowd reacted after our kiss at the game.

Mac helped me get the kids to bed then went home for the night. We both have early mornings—me getting the kids off to school and him with his practice. I'm snuggled on the couch, my laptop beside me, and hating every second of him being gone.

I've loved this home since the moment the kids and I first saw it, but it felt different with Mac here today.

I didn't know there was something missing until I watched him spend the day with us, but that's also crazy to think.

We've been perfectly fine on our own up until this point; having Mac here for one day shouldn't have things shifting this much.

I'm lost in thought when my phone rings.

"Hello," I answer without even checking.

"I see you've found my replacement already.

" Chad's nasally voice whines through the phone, raising my hackles.

"And you've included my children in this sham of a relationship.

Do you really think that's a smart move, Cel?

He's a professional hockey player, for fuck's sake.

He can have his pick of women in any city.

Why would he want you with all your baggage? "

"Fuck. You," I seethe. "They are not your children, Chad dick .

They are mine." I stab my chest as if he can see me.

"You signed your rights over in the divorce and haven't seen them since you tucked tail and ran when I caught you cheating, so don't play like you have their best interest at heart.

As far as my relationship, it's none of your damn business.

Do. Not. Call. Me. Again. If you do, you'll hear from my lawyer for harassing me. "

Chad starts to speak, but I hang up without another thought. I toss my phone on the couch beside me, stand, and pace the living room.

How dare he call me and sling his bullshit like that? He has no right to speak to me, let alone about the kids.

I'm still fuming when my phone rings again. I grab it off the couch and hit the answer button. "What do you want?" I grit out.

"Umm, everything okay over there, Celly?"

I'm surprised when I hear Ezra's voice.

Flopping on the couch, I rub my hand over my brow. "Yes. No." I grunt. "I don't know."

"Okay, who did you think was calling you if you didn't check your caller ID and see it was me?"

"I thought it was the dick." The phone goes so eerily silent that I have to pull the phone from my ear to make sure Ezra is still there.

"He called you?" my big brother growls. "What the fuck could he possibly want after all this time?"

"He must've seen Mac and me at the game last night. He called to question my parenting and partner choices."

"Are you fucking serious? What a little weasel dick. Like he has any room to talk. I bet he didn't even realize it was Layla's birthday, let alone mention it or attempt to send her a gift. I'd really love to punch him in his smug face."

"Dead serious. I told him off, threatened my lawyer on him if he contacted me again, then hung up. I expected it was him because he's not smart enough to heed my warning and may be calling me incessantly when I am mad. Used to be his MO."

"I'd like to say I'm surprised, but I'm not. You and Mac are all over the news."

"We are?" I gasp.

"I forgot you don't have any social media stuff on your phone.

" Ezra huffs. "Yes, you guys are the hot topic.

By the end of the game, the whole world knew who you are.

It didn't take them long with you being a retired top model.

The big speculation is how you guys met and how long you've been dating.

People are nosy as fuck and trying to get the scoop. "

"Fuck me." I sigh as I anxiously twirl my hair around my finger.

"It might not be a bad idea to talk to Gabriella about making a press release."

"Yeah, I'll talk to her and to Mac. I don't know if his agent will want to team up for a joint release, or maybe Jessa from the team. I still have her card. Either way, it might not be a bad idea to get the vultures off our backs."

"Probably not. Especially since there are already pictures of you guys up at the grocery store with the kids today."

"What the fuck?" I whisper.