Page 25 of Sleepless Nights and Hockey Fights

Molly

“He agreed to go!” I practically yell into the phone early the next morning.

“Dollface?” Blake’s voice is little more than a croak. “What time is it?”

I glance at my dashboard clock and wince. “Um...six forty-five. Oops.” In my excitement, I momentarily forgot my ex works nights now and probably just went to bed an hour ago. I, on the other hand, have been up since 2:36 a.m. I have no idea what it is about that time, but my brain has developed an internal alarm clock set for that time every night.

“No.” I hear some rustling sounds, probably him getting out of bed. “It’s fine. Who agreed to what now?”

“Matty!” My excitement is back as I pull up to a red light. “He agreed to go see a counselor.”

“Ah, that’s great. How did you convince him?”

“Well, I might have had a little help from somebody he looks up to.” I still don’t know what Bobby said to Matty, but whatever it was, he accomplished more in one conversation than I have inthree months. It makes me feel a little guilty for giving him the cold shoulder yesterday, but I’ll be sure to thank him when I see him. We’re meeting up at a new listing before he has to go to practice this morning.

“Iron Man?” Blake guesses.

The light turns green, and I pull forward again. “Someone even bigger than Iron Man, if you can believe it. One of the Storm Chasers who helps out with his hockey league.”

“Seriously? I didn’t even know they were affiliated with that.”

“I don’t think it’s official or anything, but a handful of the players hang out after their own practices sometimes. It’s kind of a long story, but I’m actually helping this guy find a house too.”

I might be imagining it, but Blake’s tone sharpens a little. “Who is it?”

“Blake, when have you ever watched a hockey game?”

“That’s beside the point. What’s this guy’s name?”

“Bobby Rhodes. Why do you want to know?”

“If he’s having heart-to-hearts with my kid, I’d like to know the man’s name, Molly.”

Oh. I guess that makes sense. I slow down to allow someone to move into my lane and decide to shift topics for a second. “When are you back in town?”

“Early next week. I’ll text you when I know more specifics, and I can make some plans with Matty. I miss the squirt. And you too.”

“Aw. Sounds good. I’ll let you know when I have more news on the counseling.”

We hang up just as I’m pulling up to the modern Spanish-style home in Avila, an area outside downtown Tampa but close enough to be an easy commute. Bobby leans against his shiny silver truck in the driveway, sunglasses perched on his nose and muscular arms crossed over his chest. He’s wearing a pair of linen shorts and a sixties-inspired polo, looking like he’s posingfor a fashion shoot. I can’t help my smile, even as I’m shaking my head.

“Hi, Bobby,” I greet as I open my Kia’s door.

He pushes off the truck and comes my way, both dimples on display. “Oh, thank god. We’re back to Bobby instead of Robert.”

I laugh and let him take my bag for me. “I don’t know what you said to Matthew yesterday, but whatever it was, thank you.”

“Hey, I was only cleaning up the mess I made.”

“No, I shouldn’t have gotten so worked up about it. He’s responsible for his own actions. I’m sure you didn’t tell him to shove Raiden Voles into a locker. Although I still want to know what that kid said to Matty to make him so upset.” I throw my hands up and start toward the house. “Sorry. I’ll stop babbling.”

“No!” Bobby intercepts me. “I want to hear.” His brows draw together over his sunglasses. “And nowIwant to know what this Raiden kid said. He sounds like a first-class dirtbag. I mean, what kind of name is Raiden anyway? It sounds like an insecticide.”

I smile again. “Slow your roll, Mister bigshot hockey man. The child is twelve. I’ve got it covered.”

“Oh, right.” He pulls the sunglasses from his face and has the good grace to look chagrined as we approach the front door. This gives me a better look at some bruising around his right eye that I noticed yesterday but didn’t mention since I was annoyed with him.

“Nice shiner.”

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