Page 54 of Stick Play

“Can I, Mom, can I?”

Zoe looks over the moon excited, and while I think Grant is a great grandfatherly influence on her, I’m not sure spending so much time with him is wise. When it’s over between Ash and me, it’s going to kill her to have him torn from her life, but…dear God, how can I say no. They are both so excited and I’m not sure who needs this more, Zoe or Grant?

“Looks like that’s all settled,” Brighton says, a cheeky grin on her face. When I frown, she continues. “It’s going to be okay, Gina. Even if it doesn’t work out with you and Ash, there’s no reason Grant can’t be in her life. Look at what’s happening with little Tyler. Conner’s late brother had an affair, and the child was kept secret, now Conner’s parents have taken Tyler under their wing and are giving him everything he needs.”

“He’s family, though. That’s different.”

“Okay, then look at me,” Melanie says. “Brady and I don’t have family to speak of, and Conner’s parents are now Kayce’s official grandparents. They took him and us in too. We are in no way related.”

“Darci and Bill are really good people.”

Mel smiles. “We can all be one big happy family, you know.”

My stomach squeezes tight. The truth is, that’s all I ever wanted. Zoe has two siblings out there somewhere that she’ll never know. If she ever does find out when she’s older, will she hate me for not telling her? God, I hope that never happens.

“I know, but I’m not a WAG. I’m just friends with you guys. I think that’s different.”

“You’re sleeping with Ash, aren’t you?”

“Shh,” I whisper and my head swivels back to Grant to find him looking back at the ice with the girls.

“Yes, but it’s only temporary.”

“Doesn’t matter.” They both squish into me. “You’re one of us. We’re a big happy family, Gina.”

My heart wobbles a little—okay, a lot. After I met Melanie on the beach that day, my life changed for the better. I don’t want to do anything to screw it up, and not to be crude, but screwing Ash could be doing just that.

“But…”

“Stop overthinking,” the psychologist beside me says.

“But that’s my superpower,” I tell her and we all laugh.

“Here’s my unsolicited advice. Have some fun. Let your little girl find what she needs in Grant, and at the end of the day, there’s no reason he can’t be in her life, no matter how it ends with you and Ash.”

Do you want it to end with you and Ash, Gina.

“She can even start calling him Uncle Ash, like all the other kids do.” I blink as I let that sink in, and Brighton squeezes my hand. “You’ll always be in this family, Gina. Ash will always be in yours and Zoe’s life. Maybe just not in yours in the same capacity as he’s been lately. Although I’m not sure anything has to change.”

My stomach knots because I want it in the same capacity, and admitting that is huge for me. After Lucian’s betrayal, I’ve been too scared to put myself out there, too scared to open up only to get hurt, for my daughter to get hurt.

“Okay,” I say and smile at Melanie. “I am going to stop overthinking and just have some fun.”

“Now tell me, are the rumors true?” Melanie wags her eyebrows.

“What rumors?” I ask, my stomach squeezing. I know his ex wrote some nasty things about him, but he said it wasn’t talked about amongst the group.

Melanie’s eyes gleam with mischief. “When he fixed your refrigerator last year, Dani mentioned he brought a big tool. Just how big was it?”

Ohmigod!

18

Ash

Inside the locker room, Noah puts his hand on my shoulder. “Great save there, Mountain.”

I snort. “You had some great plays too, Jonesburger.”

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