Page 67 of The Ex Puck Bunny
Don’t get me wrong, I love a pillowy chocolate sponge and rich buttercream confection. But that’s not me.
As a puck bunny, I was thriving in the spotlight. Now, the only spotlight in my life is on my daughter and Grady.
I lived for the likes, follows, and applause. Now, I’m in it for the baby giggles and Grady’s belly laughs.
Which he does now when I appear in a plush Easter bunny costume with one of those giant heads.
“Shh, don’t wake up Bunny. This is a surprise,” I say, my voice muffled.
He removes the head, giving me a much-needed gust of fresh air, combined with Grady’s clean, soapy, masculine scent.
“I think this would be better suited for Nolan.” He’s the Knight’s Zamboni driver and often dresses up in a knight costume under a hockey jersey when he’s resurfacing the ice at games.
“Do you think it would fit him?” I ask.
Grady sizes me up. “Considering you’re swimming in it, I think it’ll be fine.”
“The head is a one-size-fits-all.”
Grady cups my cheeks, looks around to make sure we’re alone, and plants a kiss on my lips.
Living with him and my parents has been fun. They’ve been in our house on Silver Queen for thirty years and considering the pipe problem, it shows, so it’s nice to see their delight at being surrounded by new appliances that work without having to bang on the side, toggle the switches, or operate some temporary DIY contraption that Dad set up. At least once a day, he comments on the fridge’s ice maker and how cold the water is. Mom loves the waterfall showerhead in one of the four guest bathrooms.
It’s pretty luxurious at the McMansion.
But it was sparse with next to no furniture, tall bare windows, and a fireplace with an empty mantle. Grady thought it would be fun for Mom and I to decorate while he and Dad fix up the Dodge. Bunny was a big help and thanks to her, we got lots of houseplants.
She and I have our own rooms, but she still ends up in bed with me every night. Can’t say I mind because in about a decade, she’ll want her space and after that, she’ll move out. I want to see her successfully launch . . . someday. But that doesn’t need to come too soon. For now, I’m keeping her close in the nest.
Every night, even though a wall separates us, Grady and I still message each other until we fall asleep.
It was unexpected, but we have a really good thing going.
He says, “I think you should do the intermission performance on Easter weekend.”
That snaps me from my thoughts.
“Me? Alone?”
“Or a group of skaters, hype girls, cheerleaders, hockey enthusiasts. I bet you anything Badaszek would go for it.”
“Like the Ice Kitties?”
“But make it family-friendly. The Ice Maidens.”
I burst with a laugh.
He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. “It works with the Knights theme.”
I tap my chin. “Hmm. That’s an interesting idea.”
“Interesting likeno wayor interesting like you’re going to think about it?” he asks.
I was going to say the first one, but I now work for the team as the social media manager and have been creating great content, proven by our numbers, growth, and engagement.
“Just think, you’d be inspiring young girls to get on the ice.”
“And be a puck bunny?” I ask, aghast that he’d suggest such a thing.
