Paul has been pressuring me to change up the lines for the game and take Ford to the second one. But Hayes, Burkley, andFord usually have such great chemistry on the ice, that I’m afraid taking him out of it will only make things worse.
It might be guilt also since I feel responsible for his lack of progress—I’m what caused this whole situation in the first place. Maybe if I had come forward with my attraction to his sister before I even got involved with her things would have been different and he wouldn’t be reacting this way. And I’m also worried that if I do make those changes, Aubrey might think I’m punishing him for his behavior with her.
I’m in a tight spot that I have no idea how to get out of.
I get Hayes up, face forward against the board to demonstrate the play. “You get him up but get the knee in there.” I press my knee between his spread legs. “Don’t let him in. You gotta keep him up, one, two, until the third guy comes in, then you move out. Got it?”
They all nod then get into action to practice the play. The rest of the morning goes by in a blur with more meetings and duties with the media. By one in the afternoon, we’re all heading out to rest up before the game tonight. With the short night I had, I should be going home and taking a quick nap, but instead, I make two quick stops and drive to my new favorite bakery.
I park a few buildings down and walk up to the bakery with my surprises in hand, but I don’t head in right away. Instead, I watch through the window as my girl flutters around like a little fairy and laughs with the two employees at the registers.
I’ve always loved watching her when she’s being herself. She doesn’t know this, but I used to come by way before I ever walked in for the first time. I would park across the street and just watch her through the window as she worked her way around the shop with grace.
It wasn’t time for us to be together back then, but I couldn’t help it. I just couldn’t stay away.
I finally make my way inside as her back is to me, wanting to surprise her since she didn’t know I was coming. I bring the bouquet of light pink roses in front of me and hide the takeout bag behind my back. If I know my girl well, she hasn’t eaten anything but sweets and is most likely starving. I also have her special snack in my pocket for her to munch on later.
Octavia—who stands behind the register—along with Jake—who I’ve met a few times now—both smile at me but don’t announce my presence. So when I reach the counter, I clear my throat and speak up, “Excuse me, Mrs. Jefferson?”
Aubrey quickly spins around as she says, “Yes?” Her eyes widen once she faces me, but I think it’s less from shock that I’m here, and more from the fact that she responded to my last name. And I couldn’t be more pleased. She places the tip of her fingers over her lips as she gasps and turns a dark shade of pink. “I have no idea why I did that.”
“Because you know just as much as I do that it should be your last name.” I wink and walk around the counter as she reaches the opening. “Hi, Angel.” I wrap my arm still holding the flowers around her back and pull her in, capturing her lips with mine.
“Hi.” She sighs with bliss against my lips.
“God, you two are too much,” Octavia says from beside us. “If you don’t marry him, boss, I will.”
“Sorry, Tavie. Even if she chooses never to marry me, I still wouldn’t let her go,” I say, grinning at my girl.
“God, how is he so perfect? And where did you find him? Are there more like him?”
Aubrey giggles and steps out of my hold. “I’m not sure, but if I see one, I’ll send him your way.” She then turns her focus back on me. “What are you doing here, Shane? Shouldn’t you be home resting or preparing for tonight?”
“I’d rather come see my girl.” I hold the flowers up to her. “And I brought you gifts.”
“Aw, you didn’t need to get me flowers, Shane.” She blushes as she takes them from my hand and smells them.
“That’s not all I brought.” I hold up the takeout bag next.
“Oh, thank God! I was about to eat the drywall.” She blushes harder at how eagerly she rips the bag out of my hands.
“And this.” I pull out the bag of Froot Loops from my pocket and dangle it in front of her.
Her eyes widen with hunger the same way a dog would react to seeing his favorite snack. “I love you so much right now, you can’t even begin to understand.”
“I do, because it’s how much I love you all the time.” I pull her close once more, kissing her again. “Do you have time to take a break?”
“For you, I do… and food.” That’s our Little Star talking, and it makes me chuckle.
She walks us to her office and closes the door behind her. Instead of sitting in her chair, she sits in one of the two chairs in front of her desk while I take the other. She lays the flowers down on the desk while I take the takeout bag and begin to remove our food containers.
This morning, she had told me she was in the mood for Chinese and might have it for supper at home. But I hate the thought of her eating alone, so this is the best I can do. I know she’ll still be eating alone tonight, but I’m hoping this will pay up for my absence.
“Aw, Shane,” she says when she sees exactly what we’re about to eat.
As I watch her dig into her container of fried rice, I bring up a subject I’ve been wanting to discuss for a few weeks. “I want you to move in.”
She frowns with question. “I thought we already lived together?”
