leagues like they did me.
He is also one of the guys who enjoys attention of puck bunnies, always having fun on and off the road. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever met.
He’s still not getting anywhere near Paisley if I can help it.
“Neighbor, and that is all you need to know.”
He throws back his head, laughing. “Calm man, I don’t steal what’s already taken. She’s the one who found Angelo?”
I’ve told them all the entire story although Byron spilled most of it. I don’t mind. There are usually no secrets on our team. We’re a family, and the Ice Kings are a much better family than my blood one.
“Yes. Paisley. She goes to school here.”
“She’s sweet. She know you’re interested?”
“I think given the way we met that she might be scared of me.”
“Nah. She’s got baby-lover written all over her. Look.”
As if I’ve stopped looking at her. I understand what he means. She holds Angelo so naturally, he could be hers. She’s doing her hip sway bounce move, smiling at something Katie is saying to her. They both laugh, looking down at Angelo sleeping in her arms.
It’s a pretty sight, her holding my son so nice.
“I’m not sure how to make a move,” I admit and it burns in my throat.
“Oh, Lutzgo.” Jason slaps my shoulder, shoving me forward. At six-one, I’m a tall guy. Jason’s bigger and stronger too. He might be a dinosaur in the league, but he still has the strength and speed to beat anyone. “Young grasshopper. Let me teach you everything I know.”
“What do grasshoppers have to do with anything?”
Chapter Fourteen
Paisley
* * *
I can’t believe it’s ten o’clock and I’m still in Mikah’s apartment. At this point, I’m not sure wild horses could ever drag me away from another meeting with his teammates, especially their wives and girlfriends. I’ve met so many people tonight that most of the guy’s names have blended together, but the few women who are here have been fun.
There’s Debbie, who arrived later, with her husband whose name I forgot as soon as I met him. And Regan and Katie. Another woman, Madison, I think, convinced her husband to leave shortly after I arrived but I was only introduced to her on their way out. She didn’t talk to any of the women for long and I don’t think anyone was sad to see her go.
She’s apparently not very nice. Not that anyone said much, but what they implied was enough. I get the sense they’re being cautious around me, still treating me like someone on the outer edge.
It shouldn’t bother me so much especially given I understand. They’re not going to gossip about the guys on the team or the women involved with them until they know me.
Hannah and Byron took off with their kids a couple hours ago claiming they had to get the little ones to bed so they weren’t too tired for school in the morning.
The longer I stay here, the harder it is to remember why I shouldn’t be.
I like Mikah. I like the way the tips of his ears turn pink every time the guys scream his nickname. I like how even when he’s not holding Angelo, he always seems to have one eye on him. He might have doubts about how he’s doing but you can see how much he loves him already.
There are still a half-dozen people left, the beer mostly gone, or the players have switched to water. I haven’t had a thing to drink and I’m craving a snack since it seems like yesterday when I finally managed to eat my burrito bowl, talking with Katie about her job as a physical therapist in between bites.
She moved down here last Christmas from Chicago and moved in with Jude right away.
He’s barely left her side all night, constantly checking to see if she needs anything. Kissing her. Touching her. Patting her ass a couple times and making her jump and swear at him.
I like them.
But it’s late, and I really need to head home. I still have work to do and it’s best I get on it before I fall asleep.
“I should go.” I nudge Mikah’s leg with my finger where he’s sitting next to me on the couch. He forced Katie to move down from her spot next to me after he put Angelo down to sleep earlier. The baby monitor sits on the table in front of us. “I have work to do.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“That’s not necessary,”