Page 34 of Fighting Chance

“Yeah, preseason game. It’s all right, figured it slipped your mind. I was going to call you tomorrow morning.”

That’s the first time in my entire NHL career that I have ever forgotten about a game.

Scratch my career, I’veneverforgotten a game, scrabble or practice otherwise. Ice hockey has always been my everything.

Grayson must see something on my face, must be able to tell the direction my thoughts are taking, because he says, “It’s okay, Ashford. It’s been a hectic two days.”

I’m nodding yet guilt still eats away at me, manifesting as an unwanted pressure against my chest.

How do people do this?

How do they manage such large facets of their lives? Just two days into having a child and I forgot about my job, the job I have slaved over for years and poured my entire soul into. Shaking my head, I decide to put a pin in my desolate thoughts and cut myself some slack.

These are not normal circumstances.

Forcing a smile, I relent, “You’re right. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Grayson and Bella wave their goodbyes, leaving a shiveringEmmy in my arms and Layla looking at me quizzically. Before I can think much of it, I blurt, “Have you got plans tonight?”

Her brow quirks. “Trying to break our deal already?”

“Believe it or not, I’m not flirting with you.” I cover Emmy’s ears and whisper, “Do you want me to though?” I wink. “Say the word and I’ll come at you full force.”

“You haven’t come at me full force?”

“Oh baby, I’ve only scratched the surface with you.”

Her cheeks bloom a beautiful pink. I try my fucking hardest to not smile at it while committing the sight to memory.

She all but forces her eyes to roll as she wraps the towel tighter around herself. “What did you have in mind?”

My tongue darts out to lick my lips and I feel deep satisfaction as her eyes drop to my mouth, watching the move as if in a trance. My voice is deep, rough as I drawl, “Why don’t I show you what I’ve come up with for her bath and bedtime routine? Then I’ll make us some dinner after, and we can set some ground rules for what this will look like.”

“Dinner?” she all but squeaks before clearing her throat. “That sounds perfectly reasonable.”

I can’t help but tease, “You all right, sunshine? Looks like you got a little drool.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“Says the one who couldn’t stop staring at my lips.”

Her eyes flare. “I was not!” Storming past me, she pushes open the screen doors, turning to peer at me over her shoulder. “Well, are you going to shut your intolerable mouth long enough to come show me what you have in mind?”

“I’ll have to open my intolerable mouth for that.”

Her head drops back with a groan.

Chuckling, I make my way over. “Come on.”

Stepping to the side, she lets me inside. I barely glance at the furniture placed everywhere, choosing for it to be a problem for my future self, though I look back to make sure Layla doesn’t trip over anything. A coy smile dances along her lips.

“What?” I ask.

Her eyes snap up to mine, her head automatically shaking.

“No come on, spit it out.”

She shrugs. “It’s nothing. I just think it’s a good sign you’ve come up with a routine already.”