“I think our dogs have missed each other.” Gina steps out of my arms to walk Spanky to the gate, quickly unfastening the leash and letting him into the backyard.
“I’ve been missing you.” I lean down to sweep her long hair away and kiss the side of her neck. “These out-of-town games are killing me.”
She straightens, putting her arm around my waist and pulling her body against mine. “Me, too.”
“It’s got me thinking about things.” I put my hands on her hips.
“What kind of things?” Her voice lowers, and she studies my mouth.
“Things we should talk about over lunch on Sunday.”
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Yes.”
Her pretty green eyes blink up to mine, and when they meet, the pull is as strong as ever. I want to tell her all the things on my mind right now, but the front door opens, and music spills out around us.
“Hey, you two,” Heather yells from the entrance. “Get in here! It’s a party!”
I look over to where Haddy is standing beside her waving, and I thread our fingers, leading Gina to the house.
The disco ball turns, sending sparkles of light bouncing off the floors, the windows, and the glasses of champagne. My teammates filter in, including Donovan and a guy who isn’t on the team.
They’re being very casual, but knowing what I know, I wonder if they might be more than friends.
When we got back on the ice after Halloween, Iapologized to him for my jealous outburst. He only laughed and told me not to worry about it. I was embarrassed, being the new guy and all, but after a few hours of scrimmage, we were back to normal.
Then we kicked the Seattle Beavers’ asses, and all was right with the world.
So far, we’re running undefeated, but the season’s only getting started. We still have Edmonton to play… and Detroit and Winnipeg and Toronto.
More guests pour into the house as the night wears on, and Gina never leaves my side. A handful of guests do the Hustle, with my daughter right in the middle of them, and we all laugh at how good she is.
She’s been running nonstop since she got home from school, but I can see in her eyes, she’s on the verge of a crash. I need to get her to bed before she has a meltdown and starts crying. It still happens, even at seven.
Heather is with her friends, which means I’m on Daddy duty, until Haddy walks up to us with Lucy on her shoulder. They’re wearing matching mini-dresses in a tiny floral pattern. Haddy has a band around her forehead, and so does a sleeping Lucy.
“We’re taking off now,” she shouts above the music. “We can take Maddie and the dogs with us if you’d like to party a little longer.”
I look down at Gina, and her nose wrinkles adorably. “I hardly ever stay out late.”
She’s so cute, I turn to Haddy. “If you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate it. I think Mads is going to crash pretty hard.”
“Don’t worry about a thing.” Haddy waves her hand. “Glad to help move things along.”
Gina narrows her eyes at her cousin, giving her a littlepinch, but Haddy only laughs, patting her baby’s back and calling to my daughter.
Maddie staggers over to where we’re standing, her stuffed zebra in her arms, and I take a knee. “I think it’s time for Spanky and LB to go to bed. Would you go with Aunt Haddy and help her?”
My daughter puts her hands on my shoulders and nods slowly.
“Zander’s so tired. He’s been dancinga lot.” Her eyes start to close, and she leans forward, falling on me in a hug.
I can’t help a chuckle. “Sure you can walk down the block?”
“I got her.” Gavin bends down and scoops her up. “We’ll take care of the dancing queen.”
“Thanks, man.” I hold out my hand for a fist bump.
