The First Intermission

by Samantha Lind

  “Now that’s something I’ll have to get used to being called,” I say, shaking my head and laughing. “Oh, by the way, when Murph and I went to lunch today, he told me he’s retiring. Asked that we keep that information to ourselves for the next few weeks until they make it public.”

  “I’d wondered if he was thinking of that, from some comments from Madison. Good for him. Does he have any ideas on what he’s going to do going forward?”

  “He didn’t say anything specific. Did mention they’re thinking of starting a family.”

  “Yes!” Becca says, throwing a fist into the air. “We need some more babies in our circle.”

  I laugh at my wife’s excitement. “Maybe we’ll have babies around the same time,” I say, hinting again to her I’m ready for another one.

  “Scott, knock me up already, why don’t you?” she says, a sultry look on her face.

  “Get over here, woman,” I growl at her.

  She stands and moves over, straddling my lap when she sits down on me. “This what you wanted?” she asks, lacing her hands around my neck as her fingers slide into the hair at the base of my neck. I really need to get in and get my hair cut now that the season is over. I finally shaved my beard down to its normal length this morning.

  “It will work for the moment. What I really want is you naked and riding my cock.” I capture her lips in a bruising kiss, tracing the softness with my tongue, seeking admission. She quickly opens to me and I deepen the kiss.

  It’s demanding and urgent as I explore her mouth. I finally pull back, sucking in a huge lungful of air as I rest my forehead against hers for a moment. I then kiss along her cheek, her jawline, and back to her ear.

  “I’m taking you to bed now,” I rasp before I cup her ass and stand. Her legs instantly wrap around my torso, her feet locking her in place. I kiss her neck as I carefully walk us back inside and to our room, where I set her on the bed, then double back to the door, shutting and locking it so our kids don’t walk in while I ravish Becca. We’ve almost been caught once by Michael and that isn’t something that I need happening tonight.

  Chapter Ten

  Brian

  “Look at all the people, Hayley,” I say to my daughter from the top of the float as we move through the streets of Indianapolis.

  “So. Many. People,” Kinley comments from beside me as we take in the celebration with the city. She snaps pictures of us and the huge crowd as we roll down the street.

  “You posting to Instagram?” I ask her from over my shoulder.

  “Yep, and your Twitter accounts,” she tells me, a huge smile on her face.

  “Thanks for being my social media guru,” I tease her, dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

  I never thought this would be my life. The best woman in the world by my side, a little girl who could bring me to my knees in my arms, and the hope to one day add another child to the mix. I’ve come a long way since my bachelor days all those years ago. But man, am I glad this pint-size beauty came crashing into my life and turned my life around.

  I wave to the fans along the sides of the road as we slowly make our way down the street. We finally make it to an area that was reserved for any friends or family we personally invited, and I spot my sister, Jennifer, her husband, Andrew, and my nephew, Isaiah. They cheer like crazy when they spot me, and Hayley does the same when she spots them.

  “Dad! There’s Aunt Jenn!” she practically screams in my ear.

  “Yep, we’ll see them as soon as we’re done, okay, sweetie? They’re coming over to the house after the parade.” Jenn made the trip here yesterday, and it was supposed to be a surprise for Hayley when they showed up at the house later today, but oh well, I guess there isn’t anything we can do about that now.

  “Yay!” she cheers from my arms. “I’s miss my Jenn,” she tells me sweetly. I love how much my little girl loves our family. She sure has brought a ton of joy to all our lives.

  A few hours later, we’re finally back home and all our family that is in town is now at our house. Traffic leaving the party downtown was a bitch, but we finally made it home.

  “Sit down and take a break, babe.”

  Kinley’s been running around since we got home, making sure everything would be just perfect for hosting everyone. She forgets our family doesn’t care that everything isn’t perfect and are all willing to jump in and help, if needed. But she likes to be Superwoman and do everything herself, damn stubborn woman I married.

  “I will in just a minute,” she tells me, setting a platter of appetizers down on the bar.

  “So, little brother of mine,” Jenn says, taking a seat next to me. I might tower over her and be physically bigger than her, but she’s never let me forget that she’s the oldest.

  “Yes, sister of mine,” I say, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. We’ve always had a pretty great sibling relationship and that has only gotten stronger as we’ve aged and started families of our own. She and Drew only have Isaiah, having always been content with just one child.

  “Have you given any more thought to how many more seasons you’re going to play?”

  “I think another season, maybe two. My agent is negotiating a contract extension now. I thought I might retire at the end of this season, but it just doesn’t feel right. But, without Scott next season and who knows who else will leave, I have a feeling that next season is going to feel really different.”

  “And you’re okay with all that potential change?”

  “I have to be. I don’t have control over who my teammates will be. It’ll be different not having Scott, for sure. We’ve been defensive partners for longer than I can remember, always playing our best hockey when we’re on the ice together. That will be changing next season, seeing as he won’t be returning to the ice with me.”

  “Change is sometimes for the best, brother.”

  “I know,” I say, squeezing her shoulder before I drop my arm from around her. I bring the bottle of beer I have sitting next to me to my lips and take a long gulp. The cold liquid cools me down as I sit out in the hot afternoon sun. “It will just take some adjusting to, nothing I can’t do in time.”

  “How are things going with the treatments?” she asks quietly. I’ve confided in my sister about our infertility issues, as I know Kinley has, as well. I love the friendship my wife and sister have.

  I shake my head, looking over at my wife. I held her once again this morning as she shed tears for another failed cycle. Our ultrasound yesterday morning didn’t result in being able to do the trigger shot, so no transfer will be taking place this week.

  “We didn’t get the news we were hoping for yesterday. She’s not taking that very well,” I tell Jenn honestly.

  “I’m so sorry, Brian. Anything I can do for either of you?”

  “If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. I’m just trying to be there for her. She’s keeping it together today pretty well in front of everyone, but once we’re alone and the weight of plastering on a happy façade is gone, she usually breaks down. I just wish I could make it all better. It’s just so fucking frustrating. She’s such a good mom, she doesn’t deserve to go through all of this.”

  “It really is unfair,” my sister agrees with me. “Have you considered going through IVF yet?”

  “I’ve told her that whatever we do is up to her. I’ll do whatever she wants to try. I suggested that the other day, so we’ll see what she decides. We go back to the doctor soon; I believe to discuss our next steps or our options.”

  “Well, keep me informed. Maybe I can take her out for a girls’ day while I’m in town. Either that, or get her drunk,” she says on a laugh.

  “Thanks, Jenn,” I say sincerely. “I appreciate anything you can do to help her out.”

  “Finally, you take a break,” Jenn says to Kinley as she takes a seat next to me.

  “I know,” she says, a smile on her face. It’s one that actually reaches her eyes, so I know it’s real. In this moment, she truly
is happy. “I just needed to get everything out and then I can relax. Otherwise, I’d be up and down constantly. But I’ll be good now, for a little bit.”

  I look out and watch as Isaiah and Hayley run around our backyard, climbing all over the play structure we had built for her. I love seeing her with her cousin. Not that I don’t enjoy seeing her play with our friends’ kids, but I like knowing she’s building relationships with her family, as well.

  “Kinley, what do you think about a girls’ day out tomorrow? Maybe do a little shopping, maybe a boozy lunch, pedicures, whatever else we can get ourselves into and spend our husbands’ money on?” Jenn asks her.

  “I’m always up for a girls’ day, and I’ll take any chance I can get to spend my husband’s money.” She laughs, elbowing me in the ribs.

  “That’s for damn sure,” I tease her right back.

  That is so far from the truth. It took me forever to convince her she didn’t need to run every purchase she made by me first. I wasn’t going to marry this woman but make her sign a prenuptial. What’s mine is hers. When she stopped working after Hayley was born, she struggled for a while, not bringing in an income and feeling like she wasn’t contributing to our household. I finally got it through to her that she was contributing and that we were set for the rest of our lives on my income and investments. I was never really stupid with my money—I invested wisely so that if something happened and my career was cut short, I wouldn’t be left with nothing and scrambling to make a living.

  “Good, we can leave the kids with the boys and make a day of it!” Jenn states.

  “Sounds like a plan. What time do you want to head out?” Kinley asks her.

  “Mid-morning? Does the mall open up around ten?”

  “I think so, I can check,” Kinley says, pulling her phone out and googling the local mall. “Yep, they open at ten tomorrow.”

  “Then let’s plan to head out around then. Get in a little retail therapy, grab some lunch, then we can see where the day takes us.”

  “Perfect.”

  “How was your day?” I ask Kinley, kissing her on the lips.

  “It was fun,” she tells me, the smile on her lips telling me she did, in fact, enjoy herself. “Your sister can outdrink me, that’s for sure,” she finishes, laughing.

  “Doesn’t surprise me one bit. Where all did the two of you go?”

  “Shopped at the mall, boozy lunch, more shopping. We stopped shopping long enough to get our nails—both toes and fingers—done, and then hit up a few more stores. I might have a trunk full of bags for you to carry in for me,” she says, her cheeks pinking a little.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself today. I’ll get the bags brought in soon.”

  “Thanks. It really was a good day. I love spending time with Jenn. Makes me entertain the idea of moving to Minneapolis when you retire.”

  “Really?” I ask, a little shocked at her admission. We’ve never really discussed moving to Minneapolis, so this is all news to me.

  “Really. I know we’d be happy being around your family, and it just makes sense to move once you retire. Unless you end up working for the Eagles or another team in some capacity, it’s at least something to consider.”

  “It is,” I agree. My mom would be over-the-moon happy if we moved back and she was able to see Hayley whenever she wanted, not that she can’t already do that. I’ve told her so many times she just has to tell me, and I’ll buy her a ticket to fly here to visit. “Mom would be ecstatic if that ever happened, something we can definitely consider, once the day comes I hang up the old skates.”

  I lean over and kiss her, needing to feel her lips against mine.

  “What was that for?” she asks, pulling back from the kiss.

  “Just missed you today.”

  “How were the kids?”

  “Perfect. Drew and I took them out to lunch and then to that new indoor bounce place. They also have a big arcade the kids had a blast in. Won a crap ton of tickets and got some cheesy prizes they then had fun playing with, and stuffing their faces with candy. They even talked us into taking them for ice cream after.”

  “Candy and ice cream?” Kinley states, then laughs. “I’m letting you deal with bedtime then!”

  “I know.” I groan. “I really need to learn how to tell our daughter no one of these days.”

  “That you do,” she agrees, elbowing me in the ribs. “It’s becoming a slight problem. She’s on to you. She knows all she has to do is ask Daddy and he’ll tell her yes. She’s even sassed at me once she’d just ask you when I told her no. I nipped that in the bud quickly. Told her she’d get in trouble if she asked me, didn’t like the answer, then turned around and asked you the same question, hoping for a different answer.”

  “Of course she did,” I say, shaking my head and laughing at our daughter’s antics. She might only be four, but she’s already just as headstrong as her mother. “And you only have yourself to blame for raising such a headstrong little girl. Pot meet kettle, babe.”

  “Don’t keep reminding me.” Kinley groans herself. “At least I know how to tell her no!” she says on a laugh.

  “Mommy!” Hayley calls out when she comes inside from the backyard, Drew, Jenn, and Isaiah on her heels.

  “Hi, baby girl,” Kinley greets her. “Did you have fun today?”

  “The best day! We bounced and played games! Ate pizza and candy and ice cream!” she says, all in one breath, excited to tell Kinley about her day.

  “Wow, sounds like the best day ever! Did you win the games?”

  “Yes! Lots and lots of tickets. Can we go back tomorrow, Daddy?” She turns to me, puppy dog eyes out in full force.

  “I don’t know, baby. I think we’ve got other fun things to do tomorrow. It’s Aunt Jenn and Uncle Drew’s last day here, so I think we’re going to do something all together. How does that sound?”

  “Okay’s, I guess,” she says, as she ponders if she should be happy about getting to do something, but not getting to go back to the same place as today.

  “What do you think about going to the zoo tomorrow? You can show Isaiah all your favorite animals. Maybe feed the giraffes again?” Kinley asks her.

  “Yes! Let’s go to the zoo!” she exclaims. “Isaiah, we get to feed the giraffes tomorrow!”

  “Cool,” he tells her as he munches on an apple.

  “Has anyone thought about dinner?” Jenn asks.

  “We’re a step ahead of you, babe,” Drew tells her, wrapping an arm around his wife. “We stopped at the store before coming back here and picked up steaks to grill, along with some veggies. Figured a laid-back evening around here was better than packing up these two and having to wait at a restaurant.”

  “I guess you both are a couple of keepers,” Jenn says to Drew and me.

  “Something like that, sis,” I tell her.

  A few hours later, we’re all full from dinner. The kids are happily playing while the adults are relaxing on the patio.

  “What are the dates again that y’all are coming to Minneapolis?” Jenn asks.

  “End of July, I think the twenty-fifth or so. I’ll have to look at our tickets for sure, as we’re flying there from Anchorage. Going up to see my parents and spend a few weeks with them.”

  “How’s your dad doing? I meant to ask you earlier today.”

  “Good. He hasn’t had any more scares since the one two years ago. Still in remission and ornery as ever. Driving my mom nuts, now that he’s fully retired and home all the time.”

  “That’s great to hear. The healthy bit, not the driving your mom nuts,” Jenn clarifies.

  “Yeah, I plan to sic Hayley on him once we’re in town, to give him something to focus on and give Mom a break,” she says, chuckling.

  “Sounds like a perfect plan.” Jenn laughs. “I bet he’s as bad as this one”—Jenn points at me—“in telling her no.”

  “Oh my god, yes,” Kinley exclaims, smacking the table for emphasis. “She’s got them wrapped aroun
d her pinky, for sure.”

  “Hey now. That’s my baby girl you’re talking about,” I try and deflect.

  “So, tomorrow,” Kinley says, changing the subject. “The zoo opens at nine, so I’d suggest we plan to be there when it opens. Try and beat the crowds and the heat of the late afternoon. The forecast is saying highs in the eighties tomorrow.”

  “Do they have a place for lunch, or should we plan to pack one?” Jenn asks.

  “They have a few different café-style eateries and food carts that offer some decent options, or we can pack a picnic and they have a few areas with tables you can sit at.”

  “If the food options are good, we’re fine with just eating there. That way, we don’t have to worry about carrying around a cooler.”

  “We tend to do the same. Hayley doesn’t like being pushed around in a stroller or wagon anymore, so we don’t have a place to put one easily,” Kinley tells her.

  “Ok, with lunch plans and morning plans set, we can just leave the evening open and figure out what we want to do for dinner in the afternoon. Sound good to everyone?” Jenn says.

  “Sounds good to me. There’s a new pizza place nearby that looks really good. All personal sized, kinda the pizza version of Subway or Qdoba. You tell them exactly what you want on yours and then it’s cooked in their big brick oven. From what I’ve heard, it’s superfast and really good. I’m sure the kids would have fun picking out their own,” Kinley tells everyone.

  “That sounds good and easy. We have a new place like that near us that I’ve wanted to try called Pieology,” Jenn says.

  “I think the one we have is a different chain, but probably the same concept,” Kinley replies.

  “All right, so plans for tomorrow are all set. Should we think about getting Hayley off to bed?” I ask.

  “Probably,” Kinley replies, looking at the time. “I’m sure she’s exhausted after playing so hard all day, even with all the sugar she’s had.”

  “I’ll go see if I can get her ready and off to bed,” I tell my wife.

  “Thanks.” She looks up at me, a smile turning up the edges of her lips. After moving my chair in and out of the way, I bend over, capturing her lips with my own before I walk out into the yard to get Hayley. Isaiah heads over to the table where the rest of the adults are sitting.