Page 58 of As You Ice It

“Who called Liamwhat?” Parker looks just as fierce, and even Grey has her eyes narrowed. It’s a nice feeling, knowing these women I don’t know well are ready to close protective ranks around me and my kid.

I laugh softly, careful of the baby snoozing on my chest. “No one … here. That I know of. But Liam hasn’t always fit in very well with kids his age.”

“He’s very bright,” Bailey says with a kind smile. “That can be difficult.”

I nod, then glance down at Juno’s wispy dark hair that’s just starting to curl at the ends. “And it may not have helped with me being on my own. I think I talked to him and treated him too much like he was older. He could carry on a conversation better with an adult than with kids.”

“Is that why you were so upset when I mentioned the kid who wasn’t nice at hockey?” Parker asks.

“Yeah. I know it’s not like he’ll never experience mean kids, but I’d like to think we moved past some of the hardest stuff in the past year or so.”

“As I said before, I think you’re doing great,” Parker says. “I may not have my own kids, but I see a lot when I help out with hockey stuff. Trust me, you’re raising a good one. Also, hockey will help with the social stuff. I mean, if he stays in. Being part of a team forces it on you, but not in a bad way.”

“Do you think Liam will continue with hockey?” Greyson asks. “I mean, after the classes end.”

“I don’t know. If he wants to, I guess so. Do I need to know what I’m getting into first?”

“Uh,” Parker says with a grimace, “maybe it’s better tonotknow.”

“Liam tends to get fixated on a particular thing, and then it passes, and he moves on. It’s been hockey since?—”

I stop myself from saying last summer. I don’t want to talk about Camden now when I’ve made it this far without having to discuss what happened between us. Or what’s happening now.

“He’s been into hockey for a while now,” I finish. “So, I’m not sure if he’ll stick with it or find a new thing to obsess over in a week.”

“Selfishly, I hope he sticks with hockey,” Parker says, getting to her feet and stretching with a yawn. This starts a chain reaction, with everyone starting to shift into time-to-go mode. “But even if not, you still have to hang out with us. I mean, if you want.”

“Is that even a question?” I ask.

“We can be a lot,” she says. “I mean, you didn’t even get to meet Amelia or Summer.”

“And we also didn’t make her answer any questions about Camden, though we all have questions,” Grey adds with a wicked grin.

Parker gives her a light shove. “Hey! We agreed not to mention the C-word.”

“It’s been soooo hard not to,” Evie whines, shrugging when I give her anet tu brutelook.

“You all did great,” Parker admonishes. “But for the record, Naomi, he’s been so pitiful this year,” Parker says, pressing a hand to her chest. “All lovelorn and dramatically sad while completely denying it.”

I shouldn’t feel happy thinking about Camden being sad, but it does give me a little giddy thrill. I guess it’s just nice to know I wasn’t the only one miserable since the summer. Especially since I totally thought Camden didn’t care as much as I did.

Evie gathers her things, and I hold a still-sleeping Juno while she puts them in the car. The women made quick work of straightening up, and my little house looks as good as it did before they arrived.

I follow them all to the porch, calling soft goodbyes so as not to bother the neighbors. It’s after ten on a weekday so I don’t want to tick anyone off.

Parker turns and walks back up to the top step. “One more thing. I really wanted this night to be about you, which is why I told everyone not to bring up Camden. But I will say that his game has suffered this year.” She reaches out and pats my shoulder. “So, the faster you can make that man happy, the better his game will be. For what it’s worth, I highly suggest kissing.”

I’m sure my face looks guilty, but she doesn’t seem to notice and bounds down the steps, only turning back at her car to call, “The guys are on the road later this week, but Sunday, we have a home game. You and Liam are coming. Bye!”

And then, leaving no room for argument, she slams her car door and takes off like the perfect picture of innocence.

CHAPTER13

Camden

Wasit a mistake not to give Naomi a heads up about the extra guest on our date? Probably.

Is it still considered a date when you have a chaperone? Probably … not.

---