“I know you’re right, but it’s hard to not feel like I’m messing up these kids’ lives.”
“All good parents feel that way, Pres. You’re doing an amazing job. Trust me.”
I lean my head on her shoulder as we listen to Avery finish his conversation with Chance.
Then he comes into the dining room and hands me the phone. “Chance wants to talk to you.”
I ruffle his hair as I take the phone and smile down at Chance’s handsome face. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” He’s sitting against the headboard in the bed of his hotel room. “You okay?”
I nod. “I wish he didn’t have to resort to violence, but I’m proud of him for standing up for himself.”
His lush lips twist into a smirk. “That’s my boy.”
Affection wraps around my heart. “He really looks up to you. I appreciate your help so much.”
“He’s a great kid. He had an amazing mom, and an incredible aunt to make him that way. I just taught him how to throw a punch.”
Tears well behind my lids. “You’ve done more than that, Grumpy Man.”
That’s Chance. Always selling himself short.
“How is everything there? Molly and the paparazzi...?”
This past week has been a whirlwind. Molly took her bullshit elsewhere after we shut her down, mainly keeping to social media to try to slander my name wherever she can. She has a small following, but more people have spoken out in support than not, and I’m shocked to see who has my back here.
The paparazzi are annoying as fuck, but the frenzy has died down a bit. Life is as normal as it can be when dating two professional hockey players.
“It’s fine. Seems to be calming down.” I look into his concerned eyes. “I can’t wait for you to come home.”
He bites his bottom lip. “I can’t wait to fu?—”
“Dominique is here!” I cut him off before he can finish his sentence.
“Oh, come on” Dominique whines. “It was just about to get good.”
Chance chuckles. “Hi, Dom.”
“Hi, handsome. Don’t worry about your girl. Everything is fine here.”
“Thanks for keeping her company for me.” He shoots me a wink. “See you tomorrow, rebel.”
Desire has my thighs clenching together. “Goodnight, Grumpy Man.”
Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.
“Why didyou think tequila shots were a good idea for this meeting today?”
Celeste blinks as she glances around at the four of us. “Is there ever a bad time for tequila?”
I laugh as I take the bottle from her and set it on the dining room table. “Thank you. I love tequila.”
“Just not at ten in the morning,” Cassidy finishes.
Celeste shrugs as she lowers herself into the seat beside me. “Alcohol helps my creative juices flow.”
Kourtney pats her wife’s shoulder and smiles at me. “So, what have you come up with so far?”
