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I told myself to breathe through my nose, pasting a friendly smile on my face that didn’t reach my eyes. Good. This had just gotten better. “Is that right? It’s nice to meet you too, Ms…?”
“Sullivan. Margaret Sullivan.”
I gave her a shark grin. “Excellent. Consider your membership revoked. I’ll talk to Corporate when I get back to the arena.”
The woman gaped. “Excuse me?”
I got up in her space. I didn’t use my size to intimidate often, but now was the time. “You don’t get to approach people in a public space and force your disgusting views on them. You don’t get to emotionally hurt people who belong to me with false representations about them being a single mother. You don’t get to air your prejudices in public like the heinous bitch you are. You aren’t worthy to wear an IceCaps jersey, and if I ever see you near my girlfriend again, I will personally destroy your fucking life.
“Keep your bullshit opinions to yourself, because you have no fucking right to assume shit about anyone. It’s shitty people who are the real fucking problem with the world—not single mothers. Judgemental old hags like you, who believe you’re somehow superior because you got married, then turn a blind eye when your husband fucks his secretary over his desk every lunchtime rather than touch your shrivelled old ass with a ten-foot pole. Speak to her again, and I’ll sue you for every penny you got in your shitty divorce.”
“Your girlfriend?” she breathed.
Ah fuck.That had just slipped out. Instead of clarifying, I turned and strode away. I wasn’t kidding. I’d talk to Corporate. There was a conduct clause in the membership application, and I’d personally ensure that she was banned from the IceCaps arena. I’d have to explain to membership services, but I’d given Gavin in that department a lift to and from work every day for a week when his car was in the shop. He owed me one.
I strode back over to the car, the woman’s eyes still on my back. Nova was watching me, her pillowy lips slightly parted. Devan was putting Huey back in his car seat.
“Are you okay to drive?” I asked Nova.
She nodded, but her eyes were shiny again. She cleared her throat. “Thanks. For defending me, I mean.”
Against my better judgment, I reached in and cupped her cheek. “Always.” I sucked in a breath. “Head home. We’ll meet you there. I just have to swing back and pick up Rigby.”
She nodded again, and slowly reversed back out of the parking lot. Then she crawled away.
“You think she drove that slow all the way here?” Dev snorted, and I grinned.
“Probably.”
“Is she okay?” The mirth left Dev’s face. He was worried about her too.
“She will be, I think. We’re going to dinner with Muss and Julieta tonight; she needs mom friends. She needs a support network.”
Dev frowned. “We’re her support network.”
I rolled my eyes at my control freak friend. “She needs a support network ofmoms. She needs someone to tell her she’s doing it right, not three bachelors who also have no idea what they’re doing.”
Dev grumbled, but nodded. “Fine. I have to head back to the office, but I’ll be home before dinner.”
He climbed into his Porsche, waving as he left. Every set of eyes in the parking lot watched him go, including Margaret Sullivan’s. I gave her the coldest look I could muster and then turned my back on her forever.
I climbed back into my own car, and as soon as my phone connected to the car's speakers, I made some calls. First to Julieta, and then to Corporate. I was going to throw my weight around and make sure that woman never got close to Nova again.
ChapterSixteen
NOVA
I was stillmad at myself as I pulled into the driveway of the house. My cheeks flushed hot if I even so much as thought about my mini-meltdown in River’s arms. I was stronger than this, goddammit. I wasn’t someone who had a breakdown about the words of some bitter old bitch. I stood up for myself. I’d stand up for Huey too.
But not today. Today, that woman had pressed her fingers right into new wounds. She’d made me bleed as easily as if she was wielding a knife. And then I’d cried all over River. So fucking embarrassing. I wanted to crawl into a dark hole and not come out for a week. Long enough to forget all about today.
I looked down at Huey, who was happily sucking on his fist as I unclicked his car seat from the base. He didn’t look sunburned. He was fine. I knew he was. We’d only been in the sun for about ten minutes. He was clean and happy, and I was doing a good job.
I repeated that mantra in my head over and over.I just had a minor crisis of confidence, I can do this.I’d look up a list of things to do before you took your baby out, and then I’d follow that list every time.
I needed a shower. I needed to wash all this damn angst down the drain and start again. I carried Huey up the stairs, moving his baby rocker into my room. It swayed gently from side to side and had tiny zoo animals along the top of it.
Putting it outside the bathroom door, I set it to a gentle sway and gave him his pacifier. Leaving the door to my ensuite open a bit just in case, I climbed into a cool shower and just breathed. I centered myself on the feel of the water on my skin, on the things I was thankful for. Resting my head on the cold tiles, I just let my body relax.
