“Yeah, that fucker doesn’t know what facts are. He creates his own, and he’s even more ruthless than she was.”
“And people eat it up like candy.” Banger sits back and watches the kids for a while. I do the same.
“I want to find his dad and coerce him into paying child support.”
Banger shakes his head. “I’d stay out of it. I don’t think your interference would be welcome.”
“I guess you’re right.”
Banger is right, but I’m not deterred, only giving him the answer he wants to hear, but I doubt I’ll follow his advice. She needs my help even if she won’t admit it.
Practice ends, and Banger leaves to collect Gardenia and his twins. I stay where I am, contemplating my next move. No doubt I want to get Aria naked again, and I want to see Noah smile.
I can do both.
I’m barreling toward an outcome I may regret, but I’m pursuing it anyway with zero clue how messy this’ll get or how it ends.
Standing, I exit and saunter toward the locker room area. Aria waits outside the door. She stands apart from the other parents, looking lost and lonely rather than the badass I’ve always seen her as.
“Hey,” I say as I walk up to her. A few of the parents recognize me and start whispering among themselves. My formidable scowl in their direction stops any of them from approaching.
“I have two tickets on the glass for the game tonight. I thought you and Noah would like to go.”
The internal struggle is written on her face, and I push on.
“Noah would love it. The playoff atmosphere is unlike anything else.”
“It is,” she concedes with a conflicted frown.
“Good, I’ll have the tickets sent to you via text.”
“I didn’t say we’d go. It’s a school night.”
“Oh, please, please, please, Aunt Aria. Can we go? Rowen and Ryder get to go. Please.” I don’t know how long Noah has been standing behind us, but I smirk, knowing I have her where I want her. She won’t turn him down.
“Okay, fine.” She sighs dramatically and gives me the evil eye.
I tap out her name on a new contact form on my phone and hand the device to her.
“Here’s my phone. Put in your number.”
She does so and hands it back. Our eyes meet. Much to my surprise, instead of anger, hers are filled with gratitude. I break into a smile. I note the time. I have to get to the stadium even though I wouldn’t mind staying longer to chat. I can’t.
“See you two later. I have to get to the arena. We’ll get pizza after, buddy, if it isn’t too late.” I give his shoulder an affectionate squeeze. Noah grins up at me like I hang the moon. Maybe in his eyes I do. In my eyes, I’m not worthy, but I vow to be worthy. I don’t understand my affinity toward this child, but maybe I just like being someone’s savior.
I nod to Aria and leave.
Minutes later, I’m parked in the arena’s underground garage and striding into the player lounge. Several guys are already there. Some are watching film from the last game. Some are eating from the buffet spread that’s always available to us. Others are shooting the shit with each other.
I join Dash, Kirby, Trent, and Wild. We’re the first line and first defensive pairing and spend the majority of time on the ice as a group. They’re discussing strategy against Colorado’s top scorers. I jump in with my opinions.
I rarely get butterflies before a game, but this game is an exception. The closer we get to game time, the more those butterflies batter my stomach.
“Meditation helps.” Kirby speaks to me in a low voice so no one else hears. “I’m feeling it too.”
“It’s that obvious?”
“To me. Not to them.” Kirby indicates the other guys, who’re already getting up to participate in whatever pregame ritual they prefer or their superstitious natures might demand.
