Hard Checked (Ice Kings #4) - Stacey Lynn Page 0,91

one of my teammate’s girlfriends, and I know she can tell the difference because she steps back and drops her arms, clasping her hands together.

“I see,” she says. “It really is goodbye.”

“Yeah.” I wipe away a tear on her cheek and then I lean in, kissing her forehead. “It is, Madison. But I’m still glad you came. It’s good to see you looking healthy, knowing you’re getting the help you need.”

“Yeah,” she cries and it comes out more of a hiccup.

“You going to be okay? Do you… do you have a room? Or something?”

“I’ll be fine. I don’t think I’m yours to help anymore, am I?”

She’s not. I’d do it because I can’t not take care of her, but she’s right. And mixed signals at this point would be too painful.

“Take care, Madison.”

“Bye Sebastian.”

I slide my hands into the pockets of my pants and walk out of the restaurant, straight to the elevator and back to my room.

I’m exhausted, and it’s not from the game. And yet, I’m hopeful too, because Madison and mine’s ending might be painful and tragic and it might still clench my chest and make me hurt—but I have a future to look forward to, with a woman I love—

And I can’t wait to get home and tell her.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Gigi

“Music bingo?” Steve asks, sounding aghast at the horror of my idea.

“Yes. I’ve looked into this. People flock to bars for either regular bingo nights or something fun like music bingo or trivia. I think it’ll be fun.”

He gives my dad a wide-eyed look. “I might have to find another bar.”

I slap his shoulder, laughing as he winks at me. “You can still come and not play. Although I don’t know why you’d be such a party pooper.”

I give him a look, barely holding back from sticking my tongue out at him.

I’ve been spending the last few weeks while Sebastian’s traveling so much for playoffs, researching local bars in the area that draw a consistent and fun crowd, but doesn’t aim for the twenty-something club hoppers. I have no intention of turning George’s into a nightclub with flashing lights and a dee-jay, but I want to build on the small town, family and community feel I love about our area and this bar so much.

It’s where I grew up, and I want it to feel like home for others even if they only come in once. But the idea of adding special nights that cater to the older crowd, those who need a few drinks away from kids and responsibilities but still wraps up at a decent hour. I figured I can alternate the nights once we get going and see what’s more popular, but when I heard of music bingo, I was sold.

Heck, if everyone wasn’t so busy right now, I’d call up some of the Ice Kings who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. I’d love to hit up a music bingo night.

Music? Bingo? Prizes? I am so in.

“Besides,” I tease Steve. “Isn’t Bingo something all you old farts like to play? I know you have a few lucky trolls hidden somewhere in your house. Let me guess, you bring your own stampers and everything.”

“What? Are you… you can’t be…” he blusters through a series of threats while I laugh, winking at my dad. “Did you just call me an old fart?”

I shrug and fill him a fresh drink. “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck…”

“I changed your diapers.”

“And I am thankful for that. Anything else you need?”

“Yes,” Steve grumbles. “For you to go back to the age before you could speak. That was fun.”

Dad and I laugh and with my glass of lemon water, I tap it against Steve’s glass. “Love you, Steve.”

“Even though I’m an old fart?”

“Especially because you are.” I kiss his cheek and turn to Dad.

He’s been silent while I share my ideas with Steve.

He’s not entirely sold on these ideas either, but while he still owns George’s, he’s letting me begin making the decisions. That way, once I officially take over when I’m ready, I’ll know exactly what to do. We’ve agreed that can be anytime between today and after the baby’s born, whenever I’m ready for the full responsibility.

For now, outside looking for the future, I’m in immediate need of another bartender so he and Dom can alternate nights and weekends giving me a break and more time with Sebastian once their season ends.

Which I’m hoping isn’t until late next week when they