Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“I’ll text Aurora.” Hollis types a quick message.
Half an hour later, we arrive at the Watering Hole. With Shilpa pregnant and showing, the club is not her scene. It isn’t really mine at this point either, but I’m all about going with the flow. Peggy throws her arms around me. “You were awesome tonight, Dad. The whole team was.”
“Thanks, kiddo.” I give her a squeeze.
She smiles up at me. “I’ll be sad not to have you in the office all the time next year, but I’m excited for you to be at the Hockey Academy.”
“I feel the same way.” It’ll be a transition, like all the others. It feels easier this time, though. Having Lexi and the girls has shifted my focus. “But at least you still live across the hall from me.”
“Hollis and I aren’t going anywhere.” She gives me a squeeze and kisses my cheek.
She joins the girls, including Dred, who left a sleeping Callie in Fee’s care. They’re all sitting at their favorite table, laughing and chatting.
Lexi tucks herself under my arm. “You feeling nostalgic, Goalie?”
“Yeah, Coach, I am.”
“They’re still your family. That won’t change.”
I kiss her temple. “I know. It’s been a great run, but it’s time to move forward. Who knows, we might be raising the first female goalie the league has seen.”
She looks up, eyes alight with the possibility. “Wouldn’t that be incredible?”
“It would.” I can see Callie rising through the ranks, see my wife doing the same while I train the next generation. The future is taking shape, and I’m in love with the way it looks.
I’m ready to slow down. To give Lexi time to build her career. To be a dad to Callie and Fee. To change gears. To have a family of my own to love and grow with.
Lexi joins the girls, who are deep in conversation about Rix and Tristan’s upcoming wedding, and I join the guys.
Tristan hands me a beer. “We’ll miss you next year.”
“I won’t be far. And who knows, I might get a chance to coach your brother.” Brody’s at Tilton University, just like Tally. He’s on a hockey scholarship and has had a great first season with the team.
“Yeah, it’ll be a busy summer for us. That’s for sure.” He claps Nate on the shoulder. “Good thing we’ve got Essie to help with all the planning, eh?”
He sips his beer. “She’s definitely highly invested in all things wedding related.”
“Only a few more months and you’ll be a married man.” Dallas sighs. “I have to wait a whole year.” Dallas and Hemi are planning a summer wedding at his parents’ place up in Huntsville next year.
Tristan smirks. “I’m pretty sure you’ll survive. Besides, you don’t want to share the spotlight with me and Rix.”
“That’s the damn truth.” Dallas clinks his bottle against Tristan’s, then turns to Hollis. “When are you joining the club?”
“Soon. Just waiting for the right time.”
“I’m perfectly happy over here in the single club.” Nate taps his bottle against Flip’s.
“One day that’ll change.” Flip takes a swig from his bottle.
“We’ll see.” Nate’s gaze shifts.
I follow it as Essie passes on the other side of the bar, heading for the bathroom.
I keep my mouth shut. But I’d bet it’s only a matter of time before those two stop dancing around each other.
We stay for one beer, then head down the street to the condo. Fee can certainly stay with Callie on her own, but I feel best when all my girls are safe with me. I wait until we’re alone in the elevator before I curve my palm around the back of Lexi’s neck and pull her close.
She tips her head up, expression quizzical. “What’s this look?”
“I want a family with you.”
“You have a family with me. It’s blended and atypical, but it’s a family. You and all your girls.” She smooths the lapels of my suit jacket.
“I want a baby with you.”
Her eyes flare. “You want to knock me up?”
“Yeah.” I can see it already—Lexi’s rounded belly. “I want you to be the mother of our child. I want to do this with you. I want middle-of-the-night feedings, and first steps, and first words with you. I want all the experiences I never had. And I want to watch you be an inspiring, badass mom to our baby.”
“Honestly?” Her expression softens, and she links her fingers behind my neck. “I want that, too.”
“Yeah?” A smile spreads across my face.
Her eyes heat. “The image I have of you holding a baby, our baby, is…” She practically purrs. “Yes, please.”
The elevator doors slide open, and I let us into the penthouse. Both girls are already asleep, but Lexi and I kiss Callie good night anyway before we disappear into our bedroom. As soon as I lock the door, we’re frantic hands and hungry mouths, peeling each other out of our clothes and kissing exposed skin.