Page 64 of Stick Move

Yeah, he loved this place, not me. I don’t know why it took me so long to see it. He walks closer and I back up, but I’m not quick enough. He puts his arms around me and pulls me close. “If you get it back, give me a call.”

I push him off me. “Get out now.”

“Ms. Brighton.” I turn at the sound of Camryn’s shaky voice, and quickly drop to my knees. I fight to sound normal. “All set, Jellybean?”

She nods, and I breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of Allan’s footsteps on the stairs.

“See you around.” He offers me a grin before leaving the house and that’s when I make a mental note to have the front door lock changed.

As soon as he’s gone, I stand and take Camryn’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get these water wings blown up and go have some fun.” I work diligently to push away my anger and erase from my brain all the stupid things Allan said. Unfortunately, there’s one thing that keeps bouncing around inside my brain like a pinball.

Wait, maybe it’s Crater who’s up to something. Payback, maybe.

I mean, I thought that myself once, but that’s not what’s happening, or what was ever happening, right? Of course, it’s not. He never would have taken me to the graveyard to help me deal with Dad’s death and move past the anger. The man cares about me and I’m not going to let Allan into my head.

For the next couple of hours, I concentrate solely on Camryn, and when we’re all tired out and it’s time to video chat with Noah, we hurry back to the house, get showered and changed, and plop down onto the sofa.

The second his smiling face comes up on my laptop, all worries from earlier dissipate.

“How are my girls?” he asks.

“I miss you, Daddy.”

“I miss you too, Bean.” His focus turns to me, curiosity in his eyes and I know what he’s asking. I’m just about to tell him I miss him too when Camryn speaks.

“Daddy, I had soda, but it’s a secret and Allan was here. He said he was Ms. Brighton’s boyfriend.”

19

NOAH

I trust Brighton’s explanation as to why Allan was in our house, so I’m not sure why I still have an uncomfortable knot in my stomach as I pull up in front of my house and stare at the closed front door. For the briefest of moments, I feel like that bullied kid who mowed the lawns, and had no place being a guest at a resort like this.

But that’s stupid.

I’m a grown-ass man, with an amazing daughter, wonderful family, a generous and sweet girlfriend and a killer NHL contract that allowed me to buy this resort.

Girlfriend?

Is Brighton my girlfriend? Honestly, we never talked about that. We only talked about being exclusive while she was Camryn’s nanny. This relationship comes with an expiry date and we’re going to have to have that conversation, sooner rather than later, to fix it. I’m not sure why I’m so nervous about it. I’m pretty sure she wants this as much as I do.

I push all dark thoughts of Allan and their past relationship—and the fact that he’s the one who broke up with her—to the back of my brain where they belong and lock them behind an impenetrable wall. I am not dragging anything from my past into my future with Brighton. We’ve all moved on from high school, right? And so help me, if Allan shows up again, I’m going to say hello with my fist.

I grab my bag from the trunk and make my way up the front walkway. I try the door, only to find it locked, so I fish my key from my pocket. Only problem is, it doesn’t work. I pull it out, check to make sure I’m using the right one, and as I push it into the lock, only for it to jamb up halfway in. I once again can’t help but feel like that kid who never belonged—was denied entrance.

I back up, and look around. What the hell is going on? I’m about to phone Brighton when the door flies open and a very happy and exuberant Camryn rushes into my arms.

“Hey.” I glance at Brighton over my daughter’s head and Brighton gives me a shaky smile. Is she worried that I don’t believe her story about Allan?

“I am so sorry, Noah. I had the locks changed earlier today, and completely forgot to tell you.” She slaps her forehead. “I don’t know where my brain has been lately.”

Not on her ex, I hope. Nope, nope, nope. I am not going down that road. I locked those negative thoughts away and that’s where they’re going to stay.

“It’s okay.” I stand and pick up my bag. “Why did you change the locks?”

“Allan,” she snaps quietly. “He had a key and didn’t give it back.”

“Did you ask for it?”

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