Page 93 of A Major Puck Up

“No.”

“Are you going to give me more than one-word answers?”

“No.”

“Fine, then Vivi and I will just have to do all the talking, right, bestie?” She spins in her seat and smiles at Vivi’s reflection in the mirror installed above the baby seat so I can keep an eye on her in my rearview mirror.

As soon as Vivi spots Millie, she smiles.

Fuck my life.

“How about we order dinner from that Italian place in Chelsea you love?” Millie asks, settling back in her seat.

“No.”

“Chinese?”

“No.”

“Fine, we’ll do the Thai place, but only if you order extra Pad Thai. You always eat the peanuts off mine, and that’s my favorite part.”

“Ms. Hall, we will not be eating together. We are not friends. You are here to take care of my daughter. That’s it. I have to leave for the arena by seven a.m. most days. Normally Vivi comes with me, but I’ve been told wearing my daughter while coaching grown men on the ice isn’t the most responsible thing, so I’m trusting you to take care of her until I get home. Then you’ll be relieved of your duties, and you can go hang out with friends or your brother. Really anyone but me.”

I merge onto the highway, white-knuckling the steering wheel as my heart beats out of my chest and refusing to look in her direction.

“It’s been four months, Gavin,” she says softly, lifting her hand like she might settle it on my arm, or maybe my leg.

I shift closer to the door. I can’t let her touch me.

“Exactly. Four months since you told me you didn’t want kids. Since you told me you couldn’t do this. I’m a father now. The only parent that little girl has. She’s my only thought. My only concern. If you can get on board with that—if she can become your priority, rather than a pawn in whatever twisted game you’ve come up with—then fine.” I swallow back the rage that’s threatening to bubble over and grit my teeth. “I can tell she likes you, and since I want to give her everything, I can deal with having you around. But that’s as far as this goes. Can you handle that?”

I keep my focus on the road. As long as I don’t look at her, I can do this.

“You used to like me, you know? I was once your favorite person.” The words are laced with a desperate sadness that claws at me, leaving me raw.

I don’t dare say another word, and I don’t look at her.

Finally, she lets out a resigned sigh. Her voice is stronger when she replies. “I can handle it.”

I’m not sure whether the heaviness that settles in my chest is a permanent thing now, or if this is as close to relief as I’ll ever get when it comes to her.

THIRTY-TWO

MILLIE

As much as I’ve always loved Gavin’s penthouse, I couldn’t be happier that he’s moved since the last time I saw him. The fact that his new apartment is only a couple of floors away from my brother may be my only saving grace in this situation. At least I’ll have somewhere to sneak off to when Gavin lashes out.

A weaker woman would be sad right now. Maybe even angry.

But I’ve decided to ignore this Gavin. This Gavin is overwhelmed and slightly unhinged.

But my Gavin is somewhere beneath the prickly exterior. He’s been trapped, and I’m determined to set him free.

Is my plan slightly delusional? Possibly. But honestly, it’s better than letting his words get to me. What we had was real and so, so good. I fucked it up, but I refuse to believe I can’t fix what I broke. I’ll start by being here for him in every way I can be. I’ll put him and Vivi first. Already, despite his cold demeanor, it’s easy to do, because I haven’t felt this at home in months.

“Leave it,” Gavin says as I reach for my bags. He’s already got Vivi. He’s always got her. It’s clear to me after less than forty-eight hours that he’s most comfortable when she’s in his arms. “I’ll send the guys down to grab everything.”

“Little abuse of power, Coach?”

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