Page 30 of Stick Play

“I need to try and get some sleep. Don’t go far, Gina.” Suddenly his voice is feeble, and I flashback to the time he had his heart attack. My gut tightens. Dammit, I really hope he is playing matchmaker here. If he’s not, I can’t risk his heart failing on him again. Maybe Gina should stay. Would that be asking too much? She’s busy enough as it is, and my father isn’t her problem.

Dad points to her bag. “I might need something in that bag. Something to help me relax.”

“Do you feel like you’re going to vomit?” she asks, everything in her words and demeanor so damn sweet and caring, my heart could be at risk.

He coughs again. “It’s possible.”

She reaches into her bag and pulls out something for nausea. “This will help and it will also help you sleep.”

“Oh, yes, I’d better take one. I could use a good night’s sleep.”

She pushes a pill through the foil package. “What about your cough? Is your throat sore?”

“Just a tickle. I probably just need a glass of water. Son, why don’t you run and get that.” As he waves me away, he smiles at Gina. “I’m in good hands with Gina.”

Jesus Christ.

Not really wanting to leave them alone—Lord knows what the man is going to say to her—I stand there for a moment.

“He could use some water,” Gina says. “That’s one thing I don’t have in the mom bag.”

“Mom bag.” Dad laughs, like a man who is faking sick. But I can’t accuse him of that, or come right out and say he’s trying to trick Gina into staying overnight. What if he really is sick, and something happens? I’d never forgive myself.

“Do you think he needs to go to a clinic or the hospital?” I ask.

“No,” Gina assures me. “I think he might just have a stomach virus, and his throat isn’t sore. The air inside can get dry in the winter, and that’s probably the cough.” She glances back at Dad. “Maybe we should set up a humidifier in here.”

“Oh, great idea. Do you have one of those, Ash?” His bushy brows bunch together as he focuses in on me.

I fold my arms. “No.”

“We can order one online, and it will likely be here tomorrow,” Gina provides.

“Let me get the water first.” I glance out the big window and take in the fat flakes falling. “Gina, if you have to go before the snow gets heavy, I totally get it.”

Dad moans and holds his stomach. Gina frowns and takes his hand. “If you need me to stay Grant, I can stay. I have the kids, though.”

“This is a great house for kids. Look at Ash, he’s like a big kid himself, getting on a sled today.” He laughs as Gina looks at my nose, and then as if remembering he’s sick, he puts his hand on his stomach and wipes the smile from his face. As if that’s not enough to convince Gina to stay, he adds, “Big TV’s, games room. Lots to do. I’m sure they’ll love to have a sleepover.”

She frowns, and runs her hands over her yoga pants. “We don’t have any clothes or even our toothbrushes.”

Dad snuggles into his blankets, looking so damn pleased with himself. “I’m sure Ash can round up some things. Isn’t that right, Ash?”

“Gina, I don’t want you to stay if you don’t want to. If you do, there are plenty of bedrooms and I can probably find clothes, though they’ll be too big for you all, especially Tate.”

“Can we stay, Mom?” Zoe asks from the doorway. “This place is the best. There’s a whole games room.” She opens her arms wide. “The TV is this big.”

I turn, not realizing Zoe had been standing there listening in. She gives me a big smile. “Your house is one hundred times bigger than ours. I love it here.”

A strange noise crawls out of Gina’s throat and when I glance at her, there’s a hint of concern in her eyes. “Gina?”

Dad moans again and she stands. “Why don’t you get him some water so he can take his pill?” She pauses for a moment, and glances at the window. “And maybe you can find us all some clothes to sleep in.”

“Yay.” Zoe jumps up and down before rushing back to the games room, to tell Camryn and Tate, I assume.

I nod at Gina, and head to the kitchen. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and by the time I get back upstairs, Gina is leaning in, and listening to Dad who’s talking quietly. I have no idea what they’re talking about and maybe I don’t want to know. Clearing my throat to make my presence known, I step into the room, uncap the bottle and hand it to Dad.

“Thanks, son.” Gina hands him the pill and he takes a sip of water to swallow it down. “Can you stay in the bedroom right beside me?”

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