Page 80 of Stick Play

The boys are star struck as they clap hands, and I pull my notepad from my pocket so they can get autographs, and then of course the boys need selfies. I glance back at their mom, who is texting something, her brows knit tightly together, and my stomach tightens slightly. What is she nervous about, and why is it making me uneasy?

The door opens again, and a woman who looks to be in her late fifties comes in, glances around and hurries over to sit beside the boys’ mom. Judging from the resemblance, I’d say she’s the boys’ grandmother.

“Okay guys, I think we’ve taken up enough of the players time. Let’s get you back to your mom.” I wink at Elias and Tuck. “Lunch is on the house.”

“Well, on that note,” Tuck laughs and picks up his menu. “I’m starved.”

Chuckling, I take the boys back to their table. “I can’t believe you know them.” Josh beams up at me. “Do you know any other players?”

“Would you believe me if I said I knew all the players?”

“No way,” Lucas says, warming up to me a bit. “Do you know Ash Wheeler?”

My heart jumps at his name. “I know him very well.”

“Does he come in here too?”

“He does.”

“Mom, Mom,” he yells as he slides into his chair. “Ash Wheeler comes in here. We have to come back every day.”

“We can’t do that, Lucas.” She gives me a nervous look and I glance at the woman taking off her coat and scarf. “Coffee?”

Lucas leans back in his seat and folds his arms. “Maybe Boston won’t be so bad.”

Ah, so they must be moving here, and maybe their anger wasn’t directed at me, but at the move itself.

“Love some.” She stares at me, like I’m a bug under a microscope and this time instead of calling Carla over, I go get it myself. I fill her up and drop the menus.

“I’ll just give you guys a moment.”

I come back and take their order, and as I move about the dining area, clearing dishes and filling drinks as I wait on orders, I notice the woman keeps looking at me. So does her mother. The boys are both on their phones, texting their friends their pictures and blasting all over social media, I suppose.

Andre hits the bell to let me know their meals are up and I walk into the kitchen to get them. I know Ash is busy, but it would have been nice for the boys to meet him. While I don’t like all the attention, I do enjoy standing back and seeing him with his fans. He was always good with the kids. It was just my daughter he was afraid of, and that was probably because he had no idea what to do with a small girl. Little did he know how much she’d like going to Dodge’s garage. That thought makes me chuckle.

I line my arms with plates and set them down in front of my guests. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

The boys as well as the older woman stare at the mom. They’re clearly waiting for her to say something.

She fidgets with her spoon. “Are you here until closing?”

Odd question. I nod. “Yes, for another half hour. Then I have to pick my daughter up at school.” I glance out at the gray outdoors. “Hopefully the bad weather will hold off until long after that.”

“Okay,” is all she says. “We’ll see you after we’re done. We won’t be that long.” I wait for a second and when she doesn’t say more, I step away and leave them to their meal. I go back to my phone and shoot off a message to Ash. He gets back to me right away, and lets me know he can pick Zoe up for me after school. I’m grateful that I don’t have to rush off and I like them having time together. My daughter is falling for the hockey hero every bit as much as I am, and for the first time in my life, I’m not afraid of that.

I head over and chat with Elias and Tuck for a second. “Do you know those boys?” Tuck asks.

“No, first time I’ve seen them in here.” I don’t miss the way Tuck is sneaking peeks at their mom. I can’t blame him. With her long dark hair, thick lashes and dark eyes, she’s rather breathtaking. Her boys both look like her. She’s absolutely gorgeous, but not at all Tuck’s type. Then again, I’m sure many people would be surprised that Ash is with me. Although my friends weren’t. The public, however, that’s a different story and one interesting enough to be plastered all over socials that night he held Zoe in his arms.

I head to the kitchen to help Andre clean up, and Carla brings in the dirty dishes. I check the time, noting it’s nearly closing time and I’m really hoping Ash gets back before my table of four leave for the day.

The bell over the door jingles, and a bubble of happiness fills me because it’s likely Zoe and the guys. I wipe my hands on a dish towel and hurry into the dining room to see them all. The boys both gape when their gazes land on Ash, and I tug Zoe into my arms to give her a hug.

Zoe begins talking a mile a minute, telling me about some new pet guinea pig they have in their classroom, but how she still wants a dog. “Mommy you want a dog too, don’t you?”

Strangely enough, after Zoe calls me mommy, Josh and Lucas’ attention instantly turns to my daughter, and they stare at her with a mixture of curiosity, unease and apprehension. I thought they’d be all over Ash, but right after they heard Zoe call me mommy, they focused in on her and yes, I find that very odd.

“You’re Zoe?” Lucas asks her.

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