“I’m sure it’s nothing.” I’m trying to convince myself as much as them, but I’m not sure it’s working. I’m unsettled, and I don’t like that they are too. My stomach flips unpleasantly, but I do my best to ignore it. If it is some deranged fan, ignoring them is the best course of action. Most of these people are looking for a reaction, and if you don’t give them one, they eventually get bored.
“But what if it’s not?” Bash asks.
“Listen, I promise I’ll tell management if I get another one. For now, I’m just going to delete it and move on with my day.”
“Don’t delete it,” Maddox commands. “File it away in case you get more. Because if this isn’t some kind of sick joke and you need to file for a restraining order, you don’t want to delete evidence.”
“Christ,” I mutter. This is the last thing I need right now. “Fine. I’ll save it. I still think this is nothing.”
“Let’s hope so. Now, how’s your girl? Do she and Reed need anything?” Maddox may come off grumpy and gruff, but the guy is a secret softie. If I told him Blair and Reed needed groceries for the week, he’d order them without a moment of hesitation.
“She’s still sick, but she’s okay. Just a cold, I think. I’m heading over there for a couple of hours before we have to be on the plane. She called in sick again today, so I want to make sure they have dinner taken care of.” I’m also going to make sure their apartment is clean and all the dishes are done. Reed’s a great kid, and he’s been taking care of everything as best he can while Blair’s been ill, but he also has football practice daily, not to mention homework, and I don’t want either of them to stress about things.
“I knew you’d be all in when you found the right woman, but who would have thought you’d end up being Mr. Mom?” Griffin laughs and dodges as I throw my gloves at his head.
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Whatever you say, Daddy.”
“I’m not anyone’s dad, thank fuck,” I growl. “Reed is thirteen. He doesn’t need some asshole walking into his life, trying to step in as his dad. Which is good, because I’d be a shit father. You know I never want kids of my own.” I have nothing against kids, but they’re not for me. Not only did my mom walk out on me when I was little, but my dad wasn’t exactly the ideal father. I’d have no clue how to raise a baby, and I’m too selfish to sign up for sleepless nights, toddler tantrums, and eighteen-plus years of putting someone else before myself.
I’m not cut out for that shit.
“I think you’d be a better dad than you believe,” Bash says seriously. “And Reed may not need a replacement dad, but I’m sure he could use a father figure. Or an older brother figure. It’s obvious he looks up to you. And that you care about him.”
“Of course I care about him. I just don’t want to let him down.”
Bash watches me as he straps his pads on. “I get why you’d worry about that, but for what it’s worth, I don’t believe you’ll let either of them down.”
My fucking heart gets caught in my throat. “And how do you know that?”
“You’ve never let any of us down,” Bash says simply. “And you’re not your parents.”
“Okay.The dishes are done, there’s a casserole in the oven, and I have groceries being delivered in about ten minutes,” I tell Blair after glancing at my watch.
“You really didn’t have to do all that,” she says, her eyes full of warmth. “It’s just a cold.”
“Shh. Let me take care of you.” I wrap an arm around her as I settle in beside her on the couch. She’s wearing sweatpants and one of my hoodies that I brought her, and it’s made me feel possessive and insatiable. But Blair’s sick, so we’ll be sticking to cuddling.
Who would have thought seeing a woman in my clothes would be such a turn-on? The idea of it before this made me queasy and uncomfortable. But with Blair?
Everything’s different with Blair.
“Can I tell you a secret?” she asks me, her voice quiet as she leans her head against my shoulder and closes her eyes.
“Of course, baby.”
“I like when you take care of me.”
All those possessive feelings swell, and I pull her tighter against my body. “I like taking care of you.”
I hate that I’ll be hundreds of miles away for the next four days. We fly out to Ottawa tonight for a two-game away series against the Capitals before getting back on the plane and heading to LA for a game against the Stars. It’ll be nonstop,with games on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday. We have an early flight home Wednesday morning, then we’re off until Friday.
I never minded being on the road. What was there to miss when my closest friends in the world were on the road with me? But now I have Blair and Reed in my life, and the idea of being so far away I can’t step in if they need me?
I hate it more than I thought possible.
“I’m sorry I’ll be gone while you’re still sick. But the ladies are planning to check up on you. I wouldn’t be surprised if they show up at your door randomly to make sure the two of you are eating. And I’m just a phone call or video chat away, okay?”
