Page 175 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
With a huff, I put my cell in my pocket and go in search of her bear.
I find him abandoned on the couch wherewe were watching ESPN earlier, and after tucking him under my shirt, I head up to see her.
“Did you find him?” I ask.
“No,” she mumbles around her toothbrush.
“Damn,” I muse, my eyes taking in her green and white bedroom.
She may have supported me at my old team, but she wasn’t all in like this. One of her conditions for moving to LA was that she wanted a Vipers bedroom. Obviously, I agreed, and no sooner had I secured the house than I instructed a designer and decorators to make her dream come true.
One wall is covered in lockers, which she uses for her clothes, instead of drawers. There’s a huge Vipers logo on the opposite wall and two jerseys in frames above her bed. One is mine, and one is hers. Every time I look at them, I swear my heart will explode.
She runs the faucet, finishing up before her light footsteps move in my direction.
“We need to find him, Daddy. I can’t sleep without—” Her words cut off and a smile pulls at her lips when she rounds the corner and finds me standing there with a bear-shaped lump under my T-shirt. “Daddy,” she laughs.
“What?” I ask innocently as she reaches for her beloved bear and wraps him in her arms, hugging him tightly. “Into bed, Peanut.”
She does as she’s told, and I perch myself on the edge and read her story. Mom and I spend hours searching for books for her. Most girls want princesses and unicorn books, but my daughter is all about sports. We’ve found some good ones, but we read through them faster than the authors can write them. Sutton keeps talking about writing her own. I have no doubt that’ll happen at some point.
I can’t help but smile at my daughter’s tenacity. Fuck, I love her.
“Sweet dreams, Peanut,” I say once we’ve finished a chapter.
“Night-night, Daddy. Sweet dreams.”
Dropping a kiss on her head, I put her book away, turn on her nightlight and quietly walk toward her door.
“I love you. See you in the morning.”
“I love you too.”
Her words ring in my ears as I make my way down to my own bedroom.
After changing into athletic clothes, I grab my EarPods and make my way to my home gym to burn off some energy.
The whole time I’m working out, my cell taunts me from my pocket.
I should reply to let Casey know that Sutton is okay. But if I do, I’m not going to be able to stop. She’s too fucking addictive.
I push myself until my muscles are trembling before staggering back up the stairs to my bedroom so I can shower.
It’s been hours since that message came through when I finally fall into bed and open the thread again.
Kodie Rivers: Sutton is fine; thank you for asking. The hit didn’t knock the sass out of her.
My message shows as read immediately, and my heart lurches.
Was she waiting for me?
Casey Watson: Glad to hear it. Scott Jr is hurting, though, right?
I can’t help but laugh. Of course, Casey has the same thoughts as Sutton.
Kodie Rivers: According to Sutton, his bruise should be glowing by now.
Casey Watson: Good girl. Can’t let these boys win.
