by Mary Smith
He shrugs. “We’ll cross that bridge when we reach it, but for now we’re on this bridge, and I want an answer.” His voice is still stern, and his expression is just the same.
I know if I say no he’d understand. He’s not a mean man by any means, but he is all business. There’s no denying that trait of his. He lives and breathes money. It’s why he’s never married nor had children. He’s a workaholic.
“Whatever you need from me, I’ll do.” Uncle Oliver has been there for me more times than I can count. I will not let him down.
Chapter Two
Teo
I’M RESTING MY back against the headboard on my bed reading my newest book. The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings by Marc Kushner. I love architecture and all things involved. It’s something I’ve been interested in since I was a kid. I had planned on getting a formal job in the industry, but instead I was drafted to the PHL, and I thought it would be the better fit for me.
If I knew then what I know now.
I turn the page and each word seems to be better than the last. I love buildings, houses, boats, and everything in between. It started with Legos and in school, the infatuation grew the more I learned about math and the environment.
The knock on my bedroom door causes me to put down my fascinating book. “Come in.”
My friend and teammate Nathan Paxton opens the door. “You have a sec?”
“Sure.”
Nathan and I have the strangest relationship. I had worked very hard for my position to be the starting goalie on the New Hampshire Bears team, but soon I realized it’s not what I wanted anymore. In the process, I stopped caring about my job, and it showed in my performance on the ice. Soon, the team began to resent me, and I don’t blame them one bit. Coach Long gave me a second chance, but still my heart wasn’t in it. I tried and soon he called up Nathan Paxton from the Nashua Tigers. At first, I felt threatened by him–I’m not sure why–because I didn’t care about anything anymore.
Then Coach Long dropped a bomb on us.
Nathan and I are both Swedish and actually didn’t live too far from each other back home. Coach came up with the idea of us working out together and essentially bonding. He thought it would give us a better dynamic together. On the plane ride back to Gothenburg, Nathan and I bonded a lot. It sounds silly, but we realized we had a lot in common. Nathan was the one who brought up the idea of us getting a place together. It seemed perfect, and we had a blast together. When we came back to Manchester, we decided to keep it up.
And then Nova…
Nathan comes and sits on my bed. “I saw Nova today.”
I shrug my shoulders even though I’m desperate to ask him a million questions. “And?”
“Dude, you don’t have to hide it from me. I know you still want her.”
I shrug again even though he’s so right. “She’s working with Mr. Carmichael.”
“You’ve not heard?” Nathan’s blue eyes go wide.
“What?” I sit up straighter. “I’ve not heard what?”
“She’s working for Oliver now. She’s his personal assistant.”
“Great.” I push my hands through my hair. I need to get a haircut before the season starts. “This means I’m going to be seeing more of her.” I thought it wouldn’t be so bad since I don’t really have a lot of dealings with Mr. Carmichael, except of course this year, because my contract is almost up.
“I thought I’d warn you at least.”
“How did you find out?”
“I saw them in Coach’s office when I went down to watch some films.”
I nod. Nathan has already been given the starting position, which makes me happy. He deserves it. I know how hard he’s worked for it. Last season was rough on him because he was still feeling it all out. He had been in the minors for so many seasons, he didn’t realize how different it was in the PHL.
It’s a huge difference.
“Did she seem okay?” Dumbass, don’t ask that then he’ll know you want her back. Why did I ask that? I already know how she is because I saw her in Oliver’s office.
“She seems good.”
I toss my book off my lap and sigh.
“Are you going to try to talk to her?”
I scoff. “No. She’s obviously moved on, has a kid, killer job, and isn’t thinking about me.”
“I’m sorry, dude.” He slaps my knee and leaves me alone.
I don’t feel like reading anymore. Hell, I don’t feel like doing anything anymore. I had been just fine with no females in my life, well besides my overbearing mother, and my equally tyrannical sister. I rub my temples. I thought Nova was different. I thought she wasn’t like all the other females I’ve been around.
I lay on my bed and stare at my ceiling, thinking of her. Of Nova. My girl. The one who I fell in love with and then she just vanished out of my life. I can still feel her presence. She’s perfect. Was. She was perfect. It’s strange because when I saw her last week at Oliver’s office, I wanted her then, but she didn’t give me a second glance. It’s obvious she’s moved on from me.
I remember our first kiss like it was yesterday…
“Nova.” I chuckle. “That’s a very childish joke.”
“But now you know why the chicken crossed the road.” She pokes my side and giggles. Her innocence and sweetness come across clearly. Every time I look into her big green eyes I melt a little bit, and it’s only our first date.
“Well, I had a great time tonight, Nova.”
“Me too.” Her long brown hair falls around her face like a veil as she looks down at her feet. She does this when she’s nervous or embarrassed.
“I hope we can do this again tomorrow after practice.” I touch her chin with my finger and lift up her face. She’s biting her lip.
“I’d love to, but I have to work,” she whispers.
“I’ll pick you up.” I lean in.
“Okay.” She rises up on her tiptoes. She wants me to kiss her as much as I want to.
Once our lips touch there’s an electric shock running through me. It’s never happened to me before. Usually kissing another female is very textbook. Soft touch of the lips, tilt head to the right, open mouth, insert tongue. Right to the point. Not with Nova. Nova is different, and I can’t explain it.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I step back because if I stand there one second longer, I’d have my way with her right there.
I wish she wasn’t like every other woman–a backstabbing bitch. But they’re all the same.
THE FIRST DAY of training camp is always filled with excitement and anxiety. This year is no different. Actually, it is a little because I already know Nathan will be the starting goalie, and I’m okay with it. He wants it more than me.
Why do I even stay around? Not like anyone would miss me.
“Teo!” Coach Long yells. “In the net.”
I adjust my mask, grab my stick, and skate over to the net. I take a deep breath and get ready for Coach to start calling out plays. I know the team well enough to know their tells when they shoot, but again...I don’t care.
I’m able to stop shot after shot until I’m through the entire roster.
“Way to go, Elgin.” Nathan slaps my pads with his stick. “Hell of a job.”
“Thanks,” I say nonchalantly.
“Practice is over. Paxton. Elgin. Both of you in my office,” Coach yells and begins to head down the tunnel.
This can’t be good. I follow Nathan, along with the rest of the team, down to the locker room and pass it toward Coach Long’s office. As I walk in I see him flip over a frame. A picture? Must be of his new girlfriend and he doesn’t want us to see it.
“Have a seat you two.” He points to the chairs. Thankfully they don’t have arms because we’d not be able to fit with all our equipment on. “Teo, you have really shown some improvement. I can see it by your performance today and that’s saying a lot.”
I nod.
“However, Nathan will be starting the sea
son. Even though I think you’ve done well, he’s still better.”
I like how Coach Long doesn’t bullshit around. “I can’t agree more with you. I’m happy being his backup.”
Nathan hangs his head. The guy is so damn shy sometimes, especially when someone is praising him.
“I’m glad we all are on the same page then. See you boys tomorrow.”
With that, we’re dismissed.
In the locker room all the guys are laughing and carrying on. I’ve never been close to the guys, minus Nathan and Alden. I’ve known Alden for a lot of years since we’ve bounced around the league together. However, all I really know about him is he sleeps with anything that walks and is a huge prankster. Although, he seems to leave me alone, which is fine by me.
After a shower, I’m back in my jeans and out the door. Usually Nathan and I ride together, but today he wanted to stay over and workout some more. I have no desire to workout anymore today. I head away from everyone and toward my car. I’m in the parking garage when I hear someone saying shit and a thud. I turn to see Nova coming out the door, dropping her purse and some files.
“Damn.” She cusses again and drops to her knees to clean up her mess. Her skirt hikes up a bit, and I stop to stare at her legs. She may not be very tall, but she has some killer legs.
I go over and bend down. “Need help?”
She freezes and slowly looks up at me.
“Hi, N.” I’ve called her N since our first date. I pick up some of the items on the ground and hand them to her.
“Hi, Teo.” Her eyes are locked on mine. She always said she loved my eyes. I thought she loved all of me.
“How are you doing?” Do you miss me?
“I’m okay.” She rushes to gather everything. “How are you?” She stands.
“I’m okay.” I do the same and stand.
“Thanks for the help.” She practically runs away from me.
My heart twists from the pain of her rushing away from me. I need to let her go. She’s just like every other woman. However, there’s something about her and it keeps her close to my heart. I need to get over it.
I head back over to my car and then drive myself home. When I get home, I make myself a sandwich and turn on the TV. The Big Bang Theory is on but it reminds me of Nova and I turn it off.
I go to my bedroom and pick up my sketchbook. I’m not really an artist. I can’t draw people or anything of the such. All my sketches are of buildings. Lots and lots of buildings. I sketch the designs inside and out along with their dimensions. I’ve always pictured myself with my hands on the steel helping create a tower of awesomeness.
Okay awesomeness is an extremely juvenile word, but it’s the greatest way to describe it.
I flip toward the middle of the books where I created my best design yet...my house. Not just any house, but the one I want to build for my future children. Yes, I’m pissed at all women right now, but I thought with Nova, we would have been different. We weren’t, but I had been hopeful.
I even showed it to her…
“Teo.” She gasps and takes my sketchbook from my hand. “What is this?”
“Nothing.” I reach for it, but she pulls it away and out of my reach. I didn’t really fight it though. “It’s something I doodle in.” I shrug.
“This...this is stunning.” She lightly touches the pages with her fingertips. “You created this one straight from your heart. Didn’t you?” Her green eyes are bright as she looks up at me. She’s the shortest female I’ve ever dated, but she’s perfect.
“I did. I hope to build it one day and live in it.” I confess to her, brushing a strand of her hair from her cheek.
“I’d love to live here too–someday.”
My reverie is interrupted by my mobile ringing. Ellen. I sigh and hit accept on the screen. “Hello.”
“How is my baby brother doing?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. This isn’t going to be good. This isn’t going to be good at all. “I’m well. What can I do for you, sister?”
“I’m wondering if you are okay.”
“When have you ever cared about me being okay?” I snap at her.
“All right, fine, you ass. I’m calling to see if you’re going to send anything for our parent’s anniversary. Or are you coming?”
I drop my hand. Hell, this isn’t even worth my time or effort to talk about. “Ellen, why would I come? Have I ever come? What’s the big deal all of the sudden?”
“Look, I just want to know. This is a big one for them since it’s their thirtieth.”
“I still don’t care.” I mumble.
“Fine. Fuck you then, Teo. Go play with your little goalie stick if you still aren’t the fucking backup.” Ellen ends the call and I’m actually relieved.
I’m about to toss my phone onto the bed when I change my mind and pull up my pictures. I didn’t delete a single one of Nova that I’d taken. I should have, but I didn’t. I study the one where she was sleeping in my bed. She had stayed the night, and I caught the picture right as the sun was beginning to stream into my room. It’s the best picture I think I’ve ever taken.
I love her.
I loved her.
I had deliberately thought of our future together. I never thought of that with any other female I had in my life. Never. Nova is different. So much different.
Chapter Three
Nova
I PICK UP the rest of the toys and begin to fold the laundry. I still don’t understand how such a small person can go through so many clothes. Klara has been asleep for the past couple hours, and I’m enjoying the quiet. She has a small fever and is trying to push out a tooth.
“Hey, Novabear,” Janan calls out as she walks in.
“In here,” I say and soon she appears.
“Did you see this?” She tosses down a stack of papers onto my coffee table.
I don’t need to look at it because I’m the one who mailed it. “Yes.”
“And?”
I stop folding the laundry, then turn to face her. “It’s Uncle Oliver’s choice on who he gives his money and businesses to.”
Uncle Oliver has spent the last week getting his will and finances in order. He swears to me he isn’t sick and/or dying but wants everything taken care of. Just in case, as he says.
“I’m in shock.” Janan sits beside me on the couch. “I never thought of myself as a billionaire.”
“Me either.” I’ve done the math already. I’d be worth almost six billion dollars, as will Janan. “Have you told Hamilton?”
Janan shakes her head. “I just came straight here when I saw this. Does Daddy know?”
I nod. “Uncle Oliver and he were talking about it together.”
She sighs and helps me fold the rest of the laundry. “How’s work going?”
“It’s good. I actually like it, despite the long hours. But the nanny Uncle Oliver hired starts tomorrow and he said she’s the best of the best.”
“Did you think he was going to hire some flake for his Little Peanut?” She giggles.
“No, I didn’t. I’m glad he interviewed them because I wasn’t sure what to ask. This woman, Emma, holds a master’s in child development and was with her last family for over ten years.” It’s crazy to me to think of someone dedicating their lives to practically raise someone else’s children. However, Emma and I talked a lot, and I felt extremely comfortable with her and she met Klara today. They seemed to get along well together.
“Is she going to live here?”
“She’ll stay here when I have to be out of town. Uncle Oliver told me Emma and Klara could travel with me, but I’m afraid that’ll be too dangerous if Teo is around.” Janan stares at me for a beat. I know the questions she’s about to ask and I hold up my hand. “Don’t say anything.”
“Teo is going to figure this out. You can’t hide her forever. The second he lays eyes on her he’ll know. She looks just like him.”
“Janan, I know. I just…” I trail off because
how do I explain myself to my cousin and best friend. “I’m scared.” It’s the simplest explanation I have.
“You really think Teo would try to take her?”
“I do. You didn’t see his face that day in the diner. He meant it. I can’t lose her.” The tears fill my eyes. “I can’t.”
“I understand but soon she’s going to be five months old. The longer you wait the harder it’ll be for you to explain it, and it’ll just piss him off more.”
I lean back on the couch. I know she’s right, but the question is–how do I fix all of this now?
I RUB MY temples as Uncle Oliver finishes talking. “Now, Nova, you knew this would happen. I can’t help it, but you’re my assistant and you need to go with me.”
I lift my head and drop my hands. “I know. I’ve not been away from her for more than eight hours at a time since the day she was born.”
“You can bring her and the nanny if you want.” He tries to reason with me.
I scoff. “You want me to go with you to conduct business as well as keep an eye on the Bears training camp, all the while keeping my infant daughter hidden in a hotel room, as her father, who doesn’t know she exists, is going to be on the same hotel floor as us. Not to forget the same place. Nope, not going to happen.”
“You will have to explain yourself someday.” He pats my hand. “But Emma is great at her job and you can always have Janan check in with her as well.”
I nod not saying anything, only thinking about being apart from my baby for almost a week.
“Nova, this is your job and essentially your future. You have to be strong.” Uncle Oliver uses his firm tone, and I know he’s not joking. He’s given me so much, and I know Klara is safe. I can do this.
“I’ll be ready.”
I KISS KLARA’S cheeks over and over. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Emma is in her early fifties, thick black hair, and kind brown eyes. She’s staring at me with a smile as I’m trying not to cry.