Page 8 of Defensive Zone

Max would try to keep his word when it came to Gabi, but if she provoked him, he was only so strong. He chuckled as he finished off her snack. Surprisingly, he couldn’t wait to see what would happen tomorrow.

“It’s cold, guys. A few more minutes and let’s get inside,” Gabi said, running her hands up and down her arms a week later. Yes, it wasn’t nearly as cold as Chicago or Portland, where her last charge had been, but it was insanely windy. And she’d grown up in the windy city. Well, for at least part of her childhood. After her parents had divorced, she’d moved with her mom to her mom’s hometown, Montreal. Gabi had spent a few random weeks with her dad during the summers, but after the divorce, he hadn’t been much of a presence in her life. It’d taken her a long time to realize that every time he bailed on plans with her, it had nothing to do with her and everything to do with him.

Not that a child could understand that.

In that sense, she could sympathize with Amelia and Connor. Yes, her father was very much alive, but she’d had to learn to live without him. Maybe those lessons would help her now with Amelia and Connor.

After Ava had called her and asked for her help, Gabi had grabbed a few books on dealing with the loss of a parent, especially for children. A book wouldn’t give her all the answers on how to help them, but it was a start.

“I wish Daddy was here,” Connor said as he stood next to Gabi.

She hadn’t even heard him walk up. She crouched down and took his hand.

“I know, buddy,” she said.

“He always pushed me super high in the swings.”

“I bet your Uncle Max could push you just as high,” she said.

“Probably. Is he home?” Connor asked with a smile.

“I’m not sure. I think your mom said he had practice today.”

“I hope he gets home soon. I’m hungry,” he said.

“He’s always hungry,” Amelia said, skipping over to them.

“Well, let’s get inside and have a snack.”

“Isn’t that swing set the best? Uncle Max got it just for us,” Amelia said, beaming with pride.

“Are you sure he didn’t get it for himself?” Gabi teased.

“Auntie Gabi, that’s silly. He’s too big for that slide,” Amelia said, completely serious.

“Of course he is,” Gabi replied, ushering the kids back into the house.

“Who wants hot chocolate?” Ava called out.

“Me. Me,” Amelia and Connor said.

Gabi wondered if the man had tried to go down the slide. She wouldn’t put it past him. They’d managed to get through the week without her getting too frustrated with him. The short road trip the Strikers had gone on a few days ago had helped, but he was still everywhere.

She bit back her snort. She couldn’t fault him for that. It was his house, after all.

He hadn’t pulled any pranks or surprises, but she was still on edge. She didn’t trust him not to jump out at some point or tease her about how serious she was all the time.

There was nothing wrong with being serious. It’s not like she was incapable of fun. She just preferred a healthy mix of humor and common sense. At least he’d stopped calling her Gabster. It was a start.

“Dammit, Max,” she muttered as she pressed her hand against the wall to steady herself later that afternoon. She’d almost tripped over his hockey bag.

Again.

Did his clutter need to be constantly underfoot and everywhere?

Hockey bags belonged in the laundry room, or, preferably, the garage, since it always smelled awful. Not in the foyer. Not sticking out next to the kitchen island.

In the damn laundry room.

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