Page 39 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

"Fine. Did you happen to see our press release?" Celeste worries her lip.

"I did. I thought you two handled yourselves really well. Even during the bit at the end where that woman was obviously trying to stir up drama."

"Yeah, so, speaking of her…" Celeste looks at me, so I nod encouragingly for her to continue.

"She wasn't actually one of the pre-approved press.

She had a remarkably accurate fake pass.

We're pretty sure she has a grudge against me.

Gabriella said she was trying to break out in the modeling world around the same time I was but didn't have nearly the same amount of success. "

"Well, that's extremely unfortunate. I don't understand why some people can't let things go."

"That's not all of it," she says hesitantly.

"More recently, her social media has been plastered with photos of her and Chad together.

After the interview, she even had a not-so-cryptic post stating 'she got what she deserved, and he's with the better woman now', or something like that.

She may have acted on her own, but I know Chad has told women in the past that if they, um, please him, then he can help them with their careers. "

"Fucking hell," Chadwick murmurs as he runs his hand through his salt-and-pepper beard.

"He still uses a phone that the company pays for.

I'll look into this. If there's even a sliver of evidence linking him to this woman and that event, then he's done.

I've kept him in an attempt to give him a chance, but I'm done. "

"I'm sorry, Chadwick." Celeste's voice is barely more than a whisper.

"This isn't your fault, dear. This is mine and his mother’s.

I love her with my whole heart—and my son, for that matter—but I'm done bending to them.

I've worked so hard building my business in hopes of setting up a future for my son, only for him to piss on my good name and cause scandal after scandal.

I had so much hope when the two of you married.

For a little bit, it seemed like he was finally seeing the bigger picture in life, but alas, his true colors shone through.

"Thank you for telling me about this. I know how much you hate to involve me where he is concerned. I always respect you trying to protect me from my son's wrongdoings. But he is no longer your problem, and I will see to it that it's true.

"What you and Maclan have is the real deal.

" He nods towards me, and I instantly straighten my shoulders and listen up.

"I can see the bond you two share. It's like there's a string tethering you together.

You move in sync as if you were the other's perfect match.

I don't even think you realize how well you mirror each other.

It's how all great loves should be. I'm so happy you have found each other, and I'll be damned if my son ruins it. "

"Thank you, Chadwick." Celeste stands, makes her way around the table, and hugs her ex-father-in-law.

It's sweet and I think it's almost healing for both of them, in a way.

They've both been hurt by Chad, someone who has claimed to love them yet only cares about himself.

I'm glad to see that they still have this close bond and are able to lean on each other.

Also, that the kids have such a wonderful grandfather.

"Alright, enough of this talk about my wayward son. How would you all feel about extending our day and getting some dessert somewhere?"

"Actually…" Celeste fidgets, which lets me know she's nervous to ask whatever she's about to.

"How would you feel about coming back to our house and having ice cream sundaes?

This one"—she thumbs over her shoulder at me—"likes to spoil the kids and has all of the fixings you could ever want at home. "

Shock floods Chadwick's face for a second until the brightest smile I've seen on the man today appears.

Until now, Celeste hasn't invited him to her new home.

Logically, she knows that if he wanted to find out where she lived, he easily could.

But out of respect for her need to set boundaries, Chadwick has never asked and has always been willing to meet her in a location she feels comfortable at.

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea."

We gather up the kids and make the trip back towards Sparrow Falls. Celeste gave Chadwick her address, so we don't have to worry about losing him in traffic. Once we make it home, she frantically races around the house, trying to pick everything up.

"Gorgeous, stop." I snag her arm as she races past me and pull her into my embrace. "The house is fine. Chadwick isn't going to judge you if there's a tissue on the counter or a rogue shoe lying on the floor."

"I know. I don't know why I'm so nervous." She presses her forehead into my chest.

"Because this is a big step. You're re-building the trust that the dick broke." I tip her chin up and kiss her nose.

"Ugh, I'm so tired of him having a say in how I live my life."

"I know, but that's why you're mending these bridges and taking these steps to move ahead. Now, quit panic cleaning and come help me set up the sundae stuff.”

Chadwick arrives, and the rest of the afternoon is filled with laughter and love. I have to dip out early to head to the arena for my game, but I leave Celeste in good hands.

Chadwick promised to help her get the kids ready before he leaves her. I'm not sure who all from my family and friend group is coming tonight, but it doesn't really matter. The most important people will be cheering me on, which is all I care about.

"What's with the dopey grin?" Thor drops on the bench beside me as we get ready to listen to Coach's pregame talk, then head out on the ice to stretch and warm up.

"Calla said I'm going to be her daddy. She said that's what Talon told her." I turn to Thor.

"No shit?" His brows go up.

"Yep. And it happened in front of the dick's dad.

Celeste and I were so stunned that we didn't know how to respond, but Chadwick did.

He's actually a really nice guy. Talon was upset, so I told him I'd love nothing more than to be his dad someday.

After talking to Talon, I told Celeste that I meant what I said and it was only a matter of time before I made that true. "

"Damn. How'd she react to that?" My friend leans back, arms crossed, completely invested in what I have to say.

"How do you think?" I smirk.

"Ah, the face makes more sense now." He smiles, then slugs me on the shoulder. "I'm happy for you, man. You deserve this. Hell, both you and Celeste do. I don't know if I've ever seen two people better suited for each other than you two."

"Thanks, Thor. That means a lot."

"No problem, brother."

We both start getting our gear on and fall into our game day routines.

The silence is comfortable and calming after a wild yet exciting day.

"So, when are you going to ask her to marry you?" "

"I'm not sure. Most people would think I'm crazy to even think about marriage already. We've only really been dating for a few months."

"Eh, fuck 'em. Nobody else gets to dictate what's right for you and Celeste. Your circumstances are your own. You two are grown-ass adults and know what is best for you and those kids. I don't think there needs to be an arbitrary amount of time when you know you've found your person."

"Damn, Thor. That's some insightful shit," I tease my best friend, but only because I can't be caught crying in the locker room on game day.

He flips me off but nods, knowing I understand what he's saying and appreciate the hell out of him.

"Enough of this mushy shit. Are you ready to get out there and kick some ass?" Thoren lifts his fist to me.

I bump it with my own. "Hell yeah."

We sit through Coach's motivational pep talk, then get ready to head on the ice.

I grab my stick and helmet, and follow Thor out of the locker room and down the tunnel.

The stands are already filling, but I only care about one section.

Scanning the boxes, I frown when I don't see Cel and the kids.

It isn't until I do a full loop around the ice that I spot them.

They're standing in the front row with another homemade sign.

This one brags about loving Mac-Attack. I pause in front of the kids and tell them and Cel that I love them.

People flash pictures, but I couldn't care less, as long as the people in front of me are happy.

"Alright, lover boy. Time to kick some ass." Thor wraps his arm around me, but he's just as big of a sucker as me, tapping on the glass and making faces at the girls.

Knowing it's time to get serious, Thor and I head back to the locker room for one more final game plan discussion, and then it's show time. Cel and the kids are up in the box when we return, but that's okay.

My head is in the game, and Thor and I are on fire.

I've always loved hockey and try to do my best every time I step on the ice, but it's different when my family is here.

It's as if I'm untouchable and nothing can go wrong because I know they'll love me regardless of whether I win or lose.

Having them to come home to is like winning the Stanley Cup over and over again.