Page 63 of Fall Wherever They May

“You’ve never been a ten-year-old boy. If you go down there and fuss over him, you’re only going to embarrass him; his pride will be more bruised than his neck. He wants to look tough in front of his team, and he can’t do that if his mommy is down there fussing over him like a little baby.” Aspen turns her head to glare at me.

“Trust me.” I kiss her forehead. As Tuck shakes it off and begins skating, I guide Aspen back to her seat. The ref makes the call and sends the kid to the bin, and Tuck’s team goes into a two-minute power play.

Peering around us from the other side of Evie, Carter breaks the tension. “I’m getting a drink from concession; anyone want anything?” He’s asking all of us, but his eyes are trained on River.

She pulls her wallet from her purse. “Actually, a Coke would be good,” River says.

She leans around us, reaching out to pass cash to Carter. He refuses her money and leaves his seat beside Evie, making his way to the concession stand.

As the game continues, I watch the puck pass back and forth behind the opponent’s crease. Carter gains my attention when he comes back with two drinks and hands one to River before plopping his ass down in the seat next to her.Oh, this should be fun.I chuckle to myself, realizing his ploy. He obviously went to get drinks as an excuse to relocate to the seat beside River.

“I knew you would let me buy you a drink eventually.” His tone is playful, and his expression is mischievous.

“This was a one-off. Don’t get used to it.” River retorts, a waving her hand in the air. “Thanks, by the way.”

The dimples that our teammates have deemed as “the panty dropper” make their appearance when he smiles, and he tosses her a wink. “You’re welcome, Kitten.”

River rolls her eyes and growls, “Stop calling me that.”

In the years I’ve known Carter, he’s never pursued a woman to this magnitude, though he’s never had to. Women flock to him in droves. I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the chase or the fact that he’s the most determined person I know and can’t let her go. Either way, my bet is always going to be on him. Carter leans forward to focus back on the game, both elbows resting on his knees with his cup clasped in both hands.

Directing my focus back to the ice, Tuck rears back to shoot the puck. The goalie moves to the right as Tuck fakes him out and sends the puck into the left side of the goal. We all jump up at the same time, cheering loudly as the siren goes off. Tuck skates around the ice as his teammates pat him on the helmet in celebration.

The puck is back in play; Zimmerman is battling against the boards with the boy who hit Tuck. Elija skates up and checks the kid. The boy turns and bows up to him. Elija pushes him while mouthing off. They’re in each other’s faces. Before anyone has time to gain control of the situation, the boys are scuffling, and both fists are flying. The refs blow their whistle several times, but the boys don’t stop. The linesmen break them apart and throw them both into the box for a five-minute major penalty.

Aspen leans back, glaring, and crosses her arms tight against her chest. “That’s what he gets for messing with my kid.”

I chuckle as River gawks at her with wide eyes.

Aspen must feel River’s stare of disbelief because she turns her head in River’s direction. “What?” She shrugs. “Don’tlook at me like that.” She stretches an arm out and points toward the ice. “That boy is a bully. We’ve played this team once already, and he always plays dirty. What he did was dangerous, River. He deserved whatever he got. That’s what enforcers do. They keep dirty players in line. He stood up for Tucker.”

“He’s not just a bully on the ice; he’s a little prick at school too,” Evie says.

River slightly rears her head back. “They’re only ten!”

“Yeah, but that’s hockey, River. I think that’s actually the boy’s favorite part of hockey. Just ask Carter.” Ivan cuts in, chuckling.

Carter leans back, stretching out both legs in front of him. These seats are not the most comfortable for someone who's six foot three. He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “It’s not like I love to fight. Think of it like this: If someone went after Aspen, how would you respond? Would you let someone mess with her or put her in danger?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly. My job as an enforcer is to protect my star player from being targeted with dirty hits. Elija did the same thing. What that kid did to Tucker was clearly intentional if what everyone’s saying is true. Elija was doing his job,” Carter beams at her.

“How are your teeth so perfect?” River blurts. “I mean . . . I . . . I’ve seen your fights. I’m just surprised you don’t have any missing,” she stammers.

Carter laughs and leans forward in his seat. His eyes flick back and forth between hers as he observes her. “Awe, Kitten. You actually pay attention to me?”

She lets out a snort. “Absolutely not; forget I even asked.”

“To answer your question, three and a half years of braces and a life with permanent retainers, but these four . . .”He beams at her with his gleaming white teeth and taps on the four implants, “. . . are fake.”

I shift my attention away from them and glance at the clock as time runs out. The game ends with a score of three to zero. We jump up, cheering for the boys as they stand in a line and slap hands with the opposing team.

As everyone collects their belongings, Katherine passes Ivy back to Ivan. “It’s been a decade since I’ve had a baby around to cuddle.”

She rubs a knuckle down Ivy’s cheek, then lifts her head up to meet Ivan’s eyes. “Thank you for letting me hold her. Lord only knows if this one will ever bless me with another grandbaby.” She jerks her head toward Aspen.

“Mom,” Aspen groans. Her cheeks flush with a pink hue as she shakes her head in embarrassment.

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