Wild Tendy (IceCats 2)

She meets my gaze. “I do.” She takes in a deep breath, looking a little embarrassed. “It’s funny you ask, because when we went to Amelia’s and I saw her feeding the babies formula, it actually made me feel better about having kids.”

I raise my brow. “I’m confused.”

She points to her chest. “I can’t feed a baby, and I thought, how could I have a kid and not be able to give them a mother’s milk? It would make me a bad mom, I thought. But Amelia couldn’t, and she is an amazing mom. I hope I can be like that.”

I cup her face, kissing her nose. “Boobs or not, you’ll be a great mom. Look at Callie.”

She curves her lips. “She is pretty wonderful.”

“Perfection.”

She beams up at me, covering my hand with hers. “Do you want kids?”

“I do,” I admit, and I’m surprised I was so open with that statement. I’ve always wanted them, and having them with Aviva would be so damn cool. I’m scared that when I tell her my diagnosis, she won’t want to have them with me. Not that we’re doing that now. That’s crazy talk, but still, just saying.

“You’re so good with Carter and Hannah. I don’t even know why I asked.”

I shrug. “Because we’re getting to know each other.”

Something flashes in her eyes, and it sends desire straight to my gut. I want to know everything about this girl. The insides and outs. Every nook and cranny. I want it all. “Are you done yet?”

She then pushes my shirt and suit jacket down my arms. I allow them to fall to the floor before gathering her in my arms once more. “I can be.”

“Good, because we have over two weeks to make up for.”

“We absolutely do.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Nico

“How is your goal list going for the month?”

I unfold the paper that usually hangs on my fridge. I read them over and nod. “Good. I’ve met all of them.”

Dr. Jenkins beams. “Nico, that’s wonderful.” She leans over and nods. “Yes. You have bounced back from those two bad games.”

“Yeah, but I’m a little worried.”

She leans back in her chair, recrossing her legs. She’s wearing a shorter skirt than normal, with these red tights. I don’t know who she’s trying to impress, but it’s obvious she is. “Why is that?”

I scratch the back of my head. “Aviva and I got together, and then I started playing well again. I don’t think anything bad will happen. I really feel good about us. I worry that if it does, I’ll go back to playing like shit, and I don’t like that. It’s actually giving me anxiety, and there is no reason for that.”

Through her black-rimmed glasses, she eyes me. “So how do you think we can make sure that doesn’t happen?”

“I don’t know. That’s your job.”

She smiles. “Yes, but we’re a team. I want to see what you want to do to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

I shrug. “I guess I really gotta separate my personal life and game life.”

“Yes, and how?”

“Coach always says ‘leave your shit at the door.’”

“I think he’s right, so why don’t we try that for the next couple weeks? Before you walk into the locker room, you leave everything but hockey outside. Don’t think of Aviva or your mom…anything. It’s only hockey. How do you feel about that?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “Because I really love how Aviva makes me feel. My mom, she lifts me up before games, and I remind myself of her praise.”

“Okay, praise is good, but don’t think of them. Think of the praise. What I mean is, think of what they’re doing—”

“I don’t really do that. I’m usually focused.”

“Okay,” she says happily. “But what made the last time different?”

I press my lips together. “I don’t know. I’ve never had that happen to me before, and even with all the shit that happened with Shelli, I didn’t get like that. I played my best hockey. I mean, we were only one goal away from winning the Cup against the fuckbag who stole her from me.”

I know she wants to shoot me an exasperated look. She’s a professional, though. “He didn’t steal her, remember?”

I roll my eyes. I’m not a professional. “Whatever. She wanted him, not me. It’s cool though, ’cause I wouldn’t have been able to be with Aviva if it had worked out with Shelli.”

She nods. “Do you think of Shelli still?”

“No, not really,” I admit. “Sometimes things will remind me of her, but overall, no. Chandler is getting married, and she’s coming in for the wedding since he’s marrying her cousin, and I didn’t even care. I only cared if Aviva would be my date. Even the fuckbag is coming, and I don’t care.”

“You know you have to stop calling him that.”

I scrunch up my face. “Why?”

“Because if he’s a fuckbag, you still care about the situation.”