Hard Hit (IceCats 3)
I have no clue how my mom and dad are reacting to this because I am in all-encompassing awe. My eyes flood with tears, and when he looks over at me, he smiles. “Don’t seem so surprised. You already knew all that,” he teases, and I lean over, pulling him by his shirt to meet me halfway.
His grin grows as I cup his jaw, and then, with no hesitation, no thought, no anything but a wholesome heart, I tell him, “I love you, Kirby. I love you so much.”
His eyes widen, but his grin stays in place as he cups my hand that is against his jaw. “Same, Jay. Same. I love you.”
As our lips meet, Celeste squeals, and I find myself wanting to do the same.
But instead, I kiss this incredible, remarkable man in front of my parents, and I don’t care one bit what they think.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kirby
* * *
At the start of the season, the IceCats Foundation holds a breakfast for the team so we can sign a bunch of stuff to be auctioned off throughout the year. It’s our first home game of the regular season, and I’m excited to show off not only for the fans but for Jean, Celeste, Jaylin, and her parents. As nervous as Jaylin was for me to meet her parents, I have to say, it went pretty damn well. I think they like me, or at least respect me, and they know that my intentions are true when it comes to Jaylin. I love her. And she loves me…but that doesn’t mean she’ll share my bed.
I’m disappointed in myself for being so bothered by it. I hate thinking about it, I hate trying to figure out why, and most of all, I hate that I can’t help her feel comfortable enough. I have to be patient, and that’s even more challenging since I know she’s overthinking this. How can she tell me she loves me but not be comfortable enough to sleep in my bed? It makes no sense to me whatsoever, but I have bigger things to worry about.
One of which is that I’m sitting at a table with the Three Musketeers, Nico, and Chandler. Unfortunately, one of our forwards got hurt during a preseason game. However, that means Dart gets to stay and play. Or Evan. I’m not sure who actually made the cut, because when Evan is on, he’s on. But when he’s not, it’s a shitshow. He sits beside me, signing a stack of pucks, and I push my elbow into his bicep to get his attention.
“How’s it going?”
It being therapy.
He nods and even smiles just a bit. “Really good. I’m actually volunteering for a study about athletes with anxiety down at the university,” he says in a whisper so that the other guys, who are loud and laughing, don’t hear him.
“Wow, that’s great. Maybe I’ll sign up.”
“Yeah, that would be cool,” he says, but I don’t think he realizes I’m serious.
“Do you feel any better?”
He shrugs. “Not really, but I started some medication. It hasn’t started working yet, though.”
“It could take up to two weeks, I think they say.”
“You’re right, so I’m just waiting it out. I am using some of the coping strategies they have given me. Some help, some don’t.”
“You gotta find what works for you,” I say, holding his blue gaze. “For me, it’s a lot of self-assurance and affirmations.”
“I feel like an idiot,” he admits, and I shake my head.
“You’re not. You got this.”
He gives me a small smile before passing the pucks to me. I hope he figures this out, that the help he is getting will actually help. I like him a lot; he’s a great kid, and I don’t want him to let his anxiety win. There was talk of him going back home, to finish college and maybe come back later, but I don’t think he needs to do that. He can do this. He’s ready. He just has to strengthen his mental game. In this sport—or hell, any sport—I’m finding that’s just as important as knowing how to score.
“How’s it going with the baby mama drama?”
I look up at Chandler’s question. I shake my head, annoyed. “Not too good. Ex is trying to push it back until December. Word is she’s coming to the next court date to ask for that. But hopefully she doesn’t show and the judge will see she’s a POS.”
Chandler looks just as annoyed as I do. So does everyone, honestly. It’s really special to have support like this. Lord knows I need it.
“I wish they’d just give you custody. Celeste is really happy and doing well with you,” Owen says, and I nod in agreement. “You’re a great dad.”
“Yeah. Hell, Jaylin is more a mom than her real mom,” Dart says, and I grin.