Samantha makes a sound like she’s choking on laughter. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Wanna keep me company? I’m getting hungry again. These two are voracious.”
“God, I miss Cathy’s cooking,” she mutters reverently.
“What are we waiting for? Let’s get somepancit.”
CHAPTER 46
TRISTAN
The plane is quiet, everyone mulling over the missed opportunity to sweep Toronto and clench the Eastern conference final in four games. The loss was tough, but at least we’re flying back tonight instead of in the morning. Knowing Ligaya will be in our bed when I get home takes the sting out of any disappointment.
“How are things going? Have you called the realtor?” Dexter Whitby asks since I had solicited some advice on housing. Ligaya’s townhouse is already cramped with all the baby stuff, and that’s before the shower she had today.
“Not yet. We can’t move till the summer, anyway.” What I don’t say is how much that depends on whether Columbus extends my contract.
Like he can read my mind, Dex pats me on the shoulder. “Great game tonight. You’ve been essential to the team’s success this year.”
“Thanks, Dex.”
“And the babies?”
“She’s almost thirty-three weeks. Sometimes I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that two human beings are growing inside her. Women are freaking incredible.”
“That’s the truth,” Lance mumbles from across the aisle, eyes still closed. “Cassie was in labor for over sixteen hours.”
“Fuck, that sounds awful,” I state incredulously.
“I don’t know how she did it, but she did it. What no one tells you is thesoundswomen make during labor. Cassie growled like she was possessed by a feral mama bear. And whatever they say while in labor, don’t hold it against them. Their bodies are literally getting pried open so your children can be brought into the world. If Ligaya wants to call you an asshole, you sayyes, honey,whatever you saywith a smile on your face.”
Sergei snorts. “You call that advice? Everyone knows you’re an asshole.”
“No one asked you, Petrov,” Lance barks back at Sergei. “Have you been practicing the breathing exercises from the birth classes?”
“When we can,” I answer his question. That lame sentence leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I’m simply not around enough to help her practice every day. It’s frustrating as fuck.
“You can practice on your own, too,” Lance says.
Thinking he’ll brush me off, I prod, “Want to practice with me?”
“If you need me to, sure,” he responds nonchalantly.
I blink repeatedly, waiting for the punch line.
“You think I’m kidding?” Lance exclaims. “Whatever it takes to be there for your woman, you do it.”
It’s interesting to have this conversation with Lance, him offering to do breathing exercises with me. He’s a world-class superstar and one of the toughest men on the ice, yet his priority is someone else’s needs.
“I’ll let you know if I need help,” I state in all seriousness.
“You do that.”
The plane hums steadily, a low vibration usually conducive for napping. A few guys are out cold, headphones on and hoodies up. But in the front two rows, the energy hasn’t dimmed. Adrenaline’s still running high, mine doubled. It’s the leftover game rush mixing with my constant buzz of unease when I’m not with Ligaya.
Sharing my restlessness are Lance beside me, Dexter and Connor behind us, and Sergei across the aisle.
“My girlfriend’s pissed,” Connor grumbles. “Every time I text her, she just answers with aK.”
