I roll my eyes and correct the misstatement. “I did not hate you. But I didn’t like you.”
“Now that sounds like an interesting story,” Gray drawls in a “do tell” kind of tone.
“My style offends him,” Pepper says.
“Not anymore,” I cut in.
She shoots me a sweet smile and amends, “It used to offend him. We’d bicker over my yard ornaments and I’d plant plastic pink flamingos in his yard.”
“Oh my God,” Gray laughs and waves her steak knife at us. “You two are adorable. Enemies to lovers with a surprise baby thrown in. You’re a classic romance novel.”
“You read romance?” Pepper asks Gray.
“I do,” she replies and then they are off and chattering about their favorite authors and books.
I look to Ryker and he shrugs as if to say, “Women.”Chapter 26LegendIt’s game day and I’m starting to get my pump of adrenaline as I near the arena. I’m bummed that Pepper won’t be here to watch the game, but I asked her if she would stay home with Charlie. It’s not that I don’t trust Lucy to take care of and protect her, because by all accounts, Lucy has acted brilliantly under pressure the times that Lida showed up.
But I want that extra layer of security for my peace of mind so that I can concentrate on the game. Pepper even did me one better and took Charlie to her parents’ house to watch the game. Her dad apparently wasn’t much of a hockey fan but has become one in recent weeks since “his daughter was getting serious with a hockey player.” Pepper told me that and I laughed my ass off and also secretly gloated that Pepper told her parents she was serious about me.
I pull into the player’s’ parking lot and smile when I see Bishop and Erik tossing a football back and forth. Both are already in their workout gear and they’re just doing something fun to start loosening up. Our cars are the only ones here but it’s still quite early yet.
I park my Tahoe and walk to the rear, pulling my game duffel out of the back. I spy a burp rag that must have fallen out of the diaper bag on our way home from the airport Sunday night when we’d returned from Boston. It was really a magical weekend and for the first time in a long time, I actually truly enjoyed spending time with my parents. It’s like Charlie has bridged the tiny gap that was between us and I’m realizing my dad had layers I never even imagined.
Best of all was spending some quality time with Pepper. The two nights we had together in the hotel without a baby to worry about were down right mind-blowing. Turns out Pepper can get quite loud when she wants to and the things I did to her caused sounds that I’d never heard before.
I vow to myself that as we continue to settle into our relationship that we have to take time for ourselves every once in a while. I feel like we came back from Boston with a renewed sort of energy and determination to face the troubles we’d left behind.
Leaving my hatch open, I take my suit jacket off and lay it in the back. I walk over to where Bishop and Erik are tossing the ball and despite my attire, I join in. I clap my hands and Bishop spirals the ball to me.
I test my grip, cock my arm and shoot it over to Erik.
“You two have a good time in Boston?” Erik asks both Bishop and me. I didn’t see Bishop and Brooke except at the skills competition and tournament, spending the rest of our time away from the arena. Erik didn’t make the All-Star team although Dax and Tacker did.
Tacker declined, which was not surprising, as did Dax, which was. He’s a bit of a show off and lightning fast on his skates. He was made to hot dog the skills competition but he opted to stay in New York. I assume he might have been helping Regan wrap up a few things with Lance’s estate.
“It was a great weekend,” I proclaim as I watch Erik pass the ball to Bishop. “Pepper and I needed some alone time.”
Erik snickers but Bishop asks, “What’s the latest and craziest on the crazy lady?”
I shrug and then catch the ball he sends my way. “Nothing since she attacked Pepper last week.”
“Attacked Pepper?” Erik shouts in surprise. I’d told Bishop about it this weekend but this was news to Erik.
I nod. “She was stalking her. Followed her to a Starbucks downtown and approached her as she was sitting outside. Was talking calm and wanted Pepper to help her see Charlie and when Pepper declined, she grabbed hold of her arm. Cut it up with her nails and she’s bruised.”