Page 39 of Mother Pucker
I suppose she’s always treated me that way–putting everything on hold to take care of me if I ever needed it, being my ultimate cheerleader and protector. In fact, she pretty much vets every woman I’ve ever remotely been interested in, as if she’s my hired PI.
My mom has often said Piper was more a momma-bear than she ever was. But hey, in a world where genuine relationships are scarce, I consider myself lucky to have a sister who’d go to bat for me, no matter what.
Even when my life blew up that first year I played for the New York Mayors, with my personal life torched on every news outlet, it was Piper who flew in from San Francisco–missing some important classes for beauty school–to gather up my pieces. It was her and my mom who kept me from drowning in my own sorrow and whiskey.
I glance at the clock on the wall, wondering if I should text Shayla. What if she changed her mind? What if her fears got the best of her, and she decided to keep her son home instead?
Truth be told, I’m surprised she even said yes to begin with, but after I answered every question she had–Could he wear his astronaut costume from last Halloween since it had a helmet and extra padding already built in? Will his skates have an emergency brake?–she seemed to feel more comfortable. I assured her he wouldn’t need his astronaut costume, knee pads,or a mouth guard, and that he wouldn’t be going fast enough to need brakes on his skates.
Still, she’s been a bit of a wild card since we met, keeping me guessing with every move, so I can’t say for sure that she will actually show up.
I do a couple more laps around the rink, stretching out and warming up my muscles. I wasn’t able to book the Bolts’ arena on such short notice, so I ended up private-booking an indoor ice skating rink for the whole day instead.
I don’t foresee us spending that much time on the ice, especially since it’ll be Kai’s first time skating, but I just didn’t want to have to rush, either. Today will be all about getting him comfortable being on the ice and finding his balance.
I massage my thigh, hoping to loosen the muscles. The injury I sustained to my groin feels better every day, but it’ll take another few weeks before I’m really back in the swing of things.
Still, the exercises Shay customized for me have been a boon in my healing progress. Though, I can feel myself holding back when I’m playing a game, like the one we played and lost 3-5 against my old team, the New York Mayors, last night.
I frown, knowing I could have done better, knowing I disappointed my team, given the fact I’ve been out for five games already with my injury. Sure, we won our match Tuesday night against Tampa, but I was especially looking forward to gloating on a win against the Mayors. Specifically, their center, and my ex-best friend, Evan Lanthrop.
Fucking pissed me off that our plays along the boards were weak, as was our puck possession and defense. Not to mention our right wing lost his stick during the last minute in the third period. And while he was able to get a new one, it gave New York that slight advantage.
My jaw clenches, recalling the smug expression on Evan’s face after the last goal horn sounded. It’s a good thing he wasn’tclose enough to me, or I’d have likely smashed his face into the ice–and really, that wouldn’t have been good for either of us.
My gaze snags on the entrance when I hear the door shut, and the two people I’ve been waiting for enter.
Shay is wearing some type of body-hugging athleisure-wear, her gold hoops peeking out from her short hair, while her hands rest on Kai’s shoulders. They both look in my direction with tentative smiles.
Kai’s bundled up in what looks like at least four layers of clothes and knee pads, his overgrown thick hair swept messily to the side.
Getting out of the rink, I quickly walk toward them in my skates, and we meet in the middle, near the boxes I’d set out earlier.
My heart gallops at the sight of the woman I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. “Hi.”
I want to reach out and hug her, kiss her, hold her. And though it sucks that I can’t, I completely understand the reason for it.
“Hey,” she responds, giving me a soft smile. I’ve recently become the recipient of those lately as compared to the tighter ones she used to offer me. “Sorry we got a little delayed. There was a sudden case of missing door handles, and weliterallycouldn’t get out on time.”
My brows furrow and I’m about to ask how the hell her door handles disappeared when she speaks again. “I saw you warming up on the ice. How’s your pain level today?”
I smile. “Better! I have an amazing physical therapist.”
That has Kai turning to give his mom a proud smile.
I bend so I’m at face-level with him and reach for his hand. “I’m Rowan Parker. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Kai.”
Kai’s smile stretches over his face, his eyes gleaming as if he can hardly believe what he’s seeing.
I’ve been fawned over by fans since I joined professional hockey, but this might be the first time my chest feels warm because of it.
He places his small hand in mine, shaking it enthusiastically. “It’s really great to meet you, Mr. Parker. I’m a huge fan.”
“The feeling is mutual, Kai. Your mom has said a lot of great things about you. But you can call me Rowan or Slick.”
Kai looks at his mom behind him, as if to get her permission, before he looks back at me. “I think I’ll call you Rowan since we named one of our raccoon’s babies Slick, and that could get confusing.”
My brows bunch up again. I remember Shayla had mentioned something about this in a previous conversation, but I just thought the raccoons were a metaphor for something at the time. “Your raccoon’s baby?”
