Page 13 of Stick Move

“You’re a good dad, Noah, and for the record, you’re an NHL superstar so no matter what, her life is going to be just a little different from a lot of kids her age.”

“I guess that’s true.” She is around a lot of the players, all the time. “I want to keep her grounded, and this place…”

She takes a step back like I just slapped her. “Right, and you think that’s impossible, living in a luxurious resort. She can’t possibly grow up here and not think she’s better than everyone else.”

Shit. She thinks I’m talking about her, and the division between us in our past.

I run an agitated hand through my hair. “I’m not sure things are coming out right for either of us.”

Her shoulders relax, and when she runs her hand down her stomach, my dick twitches. “You’re right. This is all just so surreal it’s throwing us off.”

That’s not the only thing throwing me off.

I laugh. “I know and I guess we still need to figure things out and get used to living under the same roof, and obviously no matter what you wear around Camryn, it’s going to get dirty. Maybe we should get you a uniform so you’re not ruining your clothes.”

A small grin touches her lips. “Just tell me you don’t want me in one of those French maid uniforms.”

My dick stands up and takes notice. “Is that not an option?”

Her eyes go wide, but there’s humor there, and something else. Is it heat? “Noah!”

“Sorry,” I apologize quickly, and give a fast shake of my head to dispel the sexy image of her in lingerie from my lust-rattled brain. “That wasn’t appropriate.”

She gives me a playful wink. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

4

BRIGHTON

Camryn’s excited voice carries into my living room as she and Noah leave their wing of the house and head down the big staircase to the front door. It opens and closes with a thud, and her little voice disappears as they make their way across the cobblestone walkway leading to main resort building and the stairs to the rooftop pool and bar.

I walk to my window and glance out as the gorgeous late afternoon sunshine beats down on the resort and glistens in the ocean. Laughter from the kids and adults alike playing in the water reach my ears, and a small sigh escapes my throat—a mixture of gratefulness that this place is not being turned into a condo complex, and sadness that it’s no longer in my family. I glance down and catch sight of Noah before he rounds the corner with Camryn.

Join us.

Should I?

When was the last time you had any fun, girl?

That thought hits like a punch to the gut. Do I even deserve to have fun after all my failures? I’ve been working my ass off to save this place, only to end up selling it to a guy who hated me in high school and is being extra nice to me now.

Because he needs a nanny, Brighton.

Right, this is all about payback and revenge—that much is clear—which means I shouldn’t for one minute think there’s anything else going on here, or that he was flirting with me earlier. And while I appreciate him investing in the place, I can’t forget that he didn’t come riding in like a knight on a white horse to save me—not that I believe in Prince Charming.

No, Noah drove here in a dark SUV with his small daughter in tow, looking for something from me, something that has zero to do with my body or my heart and that’s just fine. After Allan tossed me aside like I was yesterday’s coffee cup, I’m not about to open myself up and love anyone else again.

Did you love him, though?

Honestly, I’m not sure I even know what love is. Allan’s parents own the butcher shop, which supplies us with our top cuts of meat. He showed up one day and we hit it off. I never thought of him as a gold-digger looking to get his hands on my inheritance—heck, after three years, we still weren’t engaged. His parents’ shop supplies numerous restaurants, and he’s in line to take over. But maybe I was all wrong about him, and he wanted something more from me—definitely not my body, since toward the end of our relationship, he rarely touched me.

I let the curtain go and walk back into the kitchen, a strange longing—emptiness—inside me. It nips at my stomach as I wrap my arms around myself, seeking some sort of comfort. Sure, I just lost my dad, the only parent who stayed in my life, yet I think there might be something else going on with my emotions.

Maybe it has something to do with seeing Noah and his daughter. It’s a reminder that I’m almost thirty, with no prospects of marriage or kids of my own. Although I don’t need a husband or a man in my life in order to have kids. It would just be nice. What am I even saying? I am not, under any circumstances having kids of my own. I don’t know how to be a mom, or a dad, and I don’t have family or friends to help.

A half laugh half moan rumbles in my throat. Even if I wanted a family, who would want a failure like me now, anyway? I don’t care what Noah says. I have nothing to offer other than my childcare services. I’ve worked hard my whole damn life, followed the rules, cared about this resort and everyone in it while overlooking my own happiness and needs, and tried to be the prefect daughter. Look where all that has gotten me.

None of it ever impressed your father, never turned his focus from work to you, Brighton.

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