Shot at Love

by Melody Heck Gatto

  “Uncle Luc!” She hugged him and then shrugged her shoulders at his question. Her attention then went to the other people in the room. “Uncle Tyler!”

  Willow ran to Tyler and Paige, hugging them both. Beth handed over the pink backpack and said her goodbyes before leaving.

  Paige stood with little Willow. The little girl was now not very interested in the baby, and Paige seemed good at keeping her busy. Luc couldn’t get enough of how interested Kassie was in it all. She held tight to his arm and stayed at his side as she watched.

  “He’s so little, huh?” Luc softly commented, in a whisper only for Kassie to hear.

  She nodded. He shifted his stance so that now his arm was around her waist. Kassie had no choice but to let go of his arm. She nestled into his side.

  “Sorry we don’t have enough seats for everyone. I really didn’t know we’d have such a huge entourage of people,” Trina said. Directing her attention to her daughter, she continued. “Willow, honey. Did you say hi to all of Daddy’s friends?”

  Willow nodded as she sheepishly looked around the room and waved. Then she hid behind Paige’s legs with her doll.

  “She’s never this shy. I don’t know what’s come over her,” Sam said with a chuckle.

  “It’s probably the baby. She’s just not sure about him. It’s fine. Willow will get used to him; it’s just going to take time,” Trina reassured her husband.

  “Hey doll,” Luc called to Willow. “I thought you might be here, so Kassie and I brought you a gift.”

  “A gift? What is it?” Willow ran to him.

  Luc handed her the bag. Her eyes widened as she pulled out the tiara.

  “Told you,” Kassie whispered.

  “A big-sister princess tiara! I’m a princess!” Willow said with sheer delight. She pulled out the unicorn and squeezed it tight.

  “Kiddo, we also got you a lollipop, but I think you’d better ask your mommy and daddy if you should save it for later. I’m no expert on how late is too late to eat candy, and I don’t want to get into trouble with your mommy,” Luc said with a grin.

  Willow looked at Trina and asked, “Mommy?”

  “Yeah, I think it’s okay.” Trina nodded. Then she looked at Paige, “There’s so much going on, I think she’ll pass out regardless of a little sugar.”

  “It’s fine.” Paige waved off her concern with a smile.

  “Luc, want to hold him? C’mon! Here.” Sam placed Hank into his arms. “Relax a little, dude. He’s not going to break.”

  Luc wasn’t used to babies. He was rarely around kids besides teammates’ families, and most of the time he skipped out on family time. He was young and unattached, and he’d never really fit in with the family functions. This warm little bundle in his arms didn’t feel comfortable, sort of like how he felt playing baseball—a bat wasn’t a hockey stick. It just didn’t fit.

  “Oh my god,” Kassie cooed, watching him hold little Hank. She fussed with the blanket, moving it away from the baby’s face, and caressed his chubby little cheeks. “Oh, look at those little lips. I could just eat him up! What a sweetie!”

  The baby was everyone’s focus, but Luc was more fascinated with the way Kassie looked at him holding the baby. It was as if the people she was so concerned with impressing didn’t exist. The way she doted over the new baby, and how her eyes sparkled when she looked at Luc holding Hank, was an honest expression full of love. And it was all for him.

  “Hey, sweets, I think you should take him. If that’s okay, Trina?” Luc suggested.

  “Sure. Kassie, I think you should hold him. Rock-Star looks a little out of his element,” Trina said with a stifled laugh.

  “Don’t worry, Uncle Luc will get used to him. Just give me time,” Luc said.

  Willow was now sitting with Tyler, playing with her new unicorn and her baby doll, while Paige was cooing over Kassie holding baby Hank. “Kassie, you look so comfortable with him.”

  Trina agreed. “Kassie, you really do. And you know you’re welcome at our house any time. I’m sure I can use all the help I can get with the little guy. And looks like he likes you. Plus, if you bring Rock-Star along, he can play dolls with Willow.”

  Kassie snickered at Trina’s words.

  “What are you laughing about?” Luc pushed out his lip in a faux man pout. “Guys can play dolls, too. Especially if it’s with a kiddo as awesome as Willow.”

  “Aw, you’re absolutely right,” Kassie sweetly apologized.

  The door opened, and Kaden and Ali walked in. “Congratulations Sam and Trina.” Kaden’s voice dropped off as his eyes landed on Kassie holding the baby.

  Kaden wasn’t glaring, but it was more like the look of realization that she was all grown up.

  She was so good with Hank, the way she cuddled him and cooed ever so softly at him. Kassie must have a knack with babies, because she looked so natural and relaxed holding him. Luc couldn’t help but smile as she caressed the little guy’s cheeks.

  “Hang on, I have to take a picture of this.” Luc couldn’t not take a picture of her. She was adorable.

  “Oh, come on, more pictures? Don’t you have enough?” Kassie blushed.

  “No. This one’s just for me.” This wasn’t for the internet. He just wanted to remember that sweet look on Kassie’s face forever. After snapping the photo, he couldn’t help but notice the look on Kaden’s face. He was watching them interact with the new baby. Luc had a rock in his gut and wasn’t sure if this was going to blow up in their faces or not.

  “Trina, he’s just perfect!” Ali dropped down next to Kassie on the padded bench. She looked over Kassie’s shoulder at the baby, cooing and doting. “He’s so precious! Oh my gosh, Kassie, you look so natural holding him. Look at him staring at you. I think he likes you.”

  “Oh, please.” Kassie waved her off, then she looked up at Luc and their eyes met.

  Kassie really was beautiful, and she was all his. She smiled a bashful smile as she cuddled the newborn. Once she looked away, he snapped one more photo, not being able to help himself.

  “Luc, enough,” she whined.

  He knew Kaden was here, and he knew they were being watched, but it didn’t stop him from sliding in next to Kassie and the baby. Luc wrapped his arm around her and moved the baby’s blanket so he could see little Hank’s sweet face. A weird feeling filled his chest. This situation, him, her, and a baby, just felt right. It must’ve showed on his face, because he could feel Kaden’s stare on them.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Kassie

  Kassie didn’t like the way her brother was staring at them. She could see him out of the corner of her eye as she held little Hank. But it wasn’t the painful, stomach churning tension that recently filled the air between them. This was less anxious.

  Kaden shook his head, and let out a sigh. It was as if he wanted to say something but instead held back.

  “Kaden?” Ali questioned her husband.

  “Don’t worry, doll. I’m not going to start anything. It’s hard for me to admit it, but you are all grown up, little sister. Seeing you sitting there holding Sam and Trina’s new baby, not to mention the way you two are looking at one another…” It was as if he might gag just saying the words. But then again, Kaden could always be dramatic.

  Ali interrupted, “I’m sure Tyler or Paige would like to hold their new nephew. I’m going to take Willow down to the cafeteria to get a snack. Maybe you two could take this conversation out in the hall?”

  Ali’s hints were obvious. This wasn’t something that needed to be discussed in front of everyone. This was Sam and Trina’s big day. The spotlight was to be on them.

  “Ali, I’ll join you and Willow. I could use some hospital pudding,” Luc added with a grin. “I like pudding.” He kissed Kassie on her head before he left with Ali and Willow.

  Kaden shuffled his feet by the doorway, looking from the door to the floor. Tyler sat down next to her. Paige smiled warmly at Kassie as she scooped up the baby from her arms,
cooing to the sweet little newborn.

  “Kass, your brother is a good guy, just a bit overprotective,” Tyler whispered. “Just don’t give up on him.”

  Kassie looked up at Kaden and nodded towards the door with a heavy sigh. Before she could stand up, Paige lightly grabbed her arm. As soon as Kaden left the room, she spoke. “Kassie, you’re one of us now. We’ve got your back. Remember that. If you need us, we’re always here.”

  “She’s right, Kass,” Trina added.

  “Thanks, I appreciate that. But I’m hardly one of you ladies. I’m sure it takes more than what I’ve done to be held in the same regard.” No one knows who I am, much less considers me Luc’s girlfriend. Kassie followed her brother into the hallway.

  Once they were in the hallway, she looked up at him. She couldn’t stand this weirdness between them. Kaden had already spoken to Luc and they seemed to be on good terms now. She just wanted that for her and her brother, too. She just wanted this to be over, for him to know she was happy and accept it.

  “Kaden—”

  “Kass, let me say this. Please. I was watching you in there. I don’t know why, but I always think of you as a little girl still. A little girl that I need to protect, especially with Dad no longer around. After Dad died, I thought of you as my responsibility. I was the man of the house suddenly and the only one left to take care of you, to protect you. I felt like Dad was counting on me, and I didn’t want to let him down. I wanted to believe that Dad would not approve of what you were doing, because he knew the code and understood it. That maybe he’d fight for it the way I did. But I was the one that was wrong.”

  “You? Admitting you were wrong? We should write this date down somewhere. Anybody have a pen?” She looked around the empty hall humorously trying to make her point.

  “Ha, ha. Yeah, I get it. I know I don’t like to admit when I’m wrong. Sorry sis, it’s my one fault.” He shrugged. “But, all joking aside, I was watching you in there, holding the baby, and the way you and Luc looked at one another.”

  “We’re not here to argue about this, are we? I think your wife has had enough of that.” They’d had a nice time at the party, then topped off the extraordinary night with the birth of a brand-new baby. Her brother wasn’t going to ruin all that with fighting, was he?

  “No. I’m not here to argue, Kass. I just think that Dad would be so proud of the strong woman you’ve grown into. This whole time you’ve stood your ground and fought for what you wanted. Luc didn’t back down like I thought he would, but he fought for you, too. He still has a lot of proving to do, but I do respect him for that. I also saw the look you two gave each other in there, over the baby. I recognized that look. It’s the same one Ali and I give each other, as well as Sam and Trina, and Tyler and Paige, and the list goes on and on.”

  “So, are you trying to say that you’re okay with me and Luc now?” Kassie stared at Kaden, and for the first time since this all started, he resembled her loving brother again.

  “I finally see that you’re all grown up, and it’s hard for me. That’s something I’m going to have to learn to get used to, but that’s my problem, not yours. I told him he had to prove himself to me, and I will be watching him. But that look you two exchanged… that was really all I needed to see.”

  Kassie was stunned at her brother’s words. “I appreciate that, Kaden. But how do we proceed? We were always a team. Then Ali came into our world, and she became one of us. I’m sure you know that Luc wouldn’t be a bad addition. He’s loyal, he’s kind—”

  “Woah… Kass, I get it. I swear I’m trying. I’m your brother and I love you. I only want you to be happy, and if that means your being with Luc, then I’m okay with that. You’ve got my blessing. But please, don’t tell him that just yet; it’s comical to watch him squirm.” Kaden chuckled at Luc’s expense. “But I’m confident now that he won’t let me down. Anyway… I saw that the other wives got you the hat and shirt they wear. They’ve taken you in as one of them.”

  “Yeah, well, I’d hardly call myself a WAG. I’m just like the new girl that they’re being nice to and befriending. Or maybe Ali told them they had to be nice to me. Who knows?”

  Kaden shook his head. “I don’t think that’s it. They like you, Kassie. And whether or not you’re considered a WAG is apparently not up to you.”

  Kassie could feel the warm tears filling her eyes. She grabbed Kaden around the middle and bear hugged him. “I’ve missed you, bro.”

  Kaden kissed her on top of her head and rubbed her back. “I’ve missed you too, sis. I’ll always be your biggest fan.”

  “Thanks. And I don’t think Ali would let it be any other way,” she teased.

  “I do believe you’re right.” Kaden pulled back and looked down at Kassie. With a laugh he added, “Have you ever seen that girl mad? Fire shoots out of her ears. It’s wicked.”

  “Really, Kaden? Fire?” Ali’s voice came out of nowhere. She was standing in the hallway, trying to look annoyed, but she was obviously trying to hold back a laugh.

  “What?” Kaden asked, trying to look innocent. “I didn’t say fire. And did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight? Love you.”

  Ali stood there in her leggings and sweatshirt, with her hands on her hips. “Uh-huh. And you’re just lucky that you’re cute.”

  Willow stood by Ali’s side, holding her new unicorn and her doll tightly.

  “Willow, did your Uncle Luc get you something yummy in the cafeteria?” Kassie asked her.

  Willow nodded. She still had a little chocolate pudding on her face.

  “Willow, it’s okay if you want to go in and see mommy and daddy now. Just be quiet in case your new little brother is sleeping.” Ali opened the hospital suite door for her, and the little girl ran inside and hopped onto the bed with Trina.

  “Hey beautiful, you okay?” Luc wrapped his arms around Kassie. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

  “Yeah. Everything is good.”

  “That’s great to hear, sweets. By the way, while we were getting pudding, which by the way was delicious, Ali found something online that she thought you’d like to see.”

  “Oh yeah! I really think you should see this.” Ali stood with her arm around Kaden. First, she held her phone for her husband to see.

  Kaden rolled his eyes, but it was out of jest this time. “And so it starts.”

  Ali left his side and huddled next to Kassie. “Looks like there’s no doubt now. You are officially a WAG.”

  Taking Ali’s phone, she saw a photo of her and Luc posing together at the Halloween party. But it wasn’t on Luc’s page, nor on Ali’s. It was on a social media page about hockey WAGs, and they had re-posted it from Luc’s personal page.

  “Can they do that?” Kassie asked.

  “Do what?” Ali asked.

  “Re-post something from Luc’s personal page?”

  Luc grinned. “Sweets, as long as my page is public, anyone can re-post it.”

  So, he had known exactly what he was doing, posting those pictures tonight.

  “Well, Kassie. Looks like the world of social media has dubbed you a WAG. There’s no going back now.” Ali read the caption aloud. “Renegades puck-star Luc Marcella with girlfriend Kassie at team Halloween party. Luc! Ha! They even got your self-proclaimed nickname. Guess more people know about it than we thought.”

  “But Luc just took that a few hours ago!”

  “It took long enough. I hashtag it all the time.” Luc beamed, proud of himself that his nickname was finally being recognized. He squeezed her harder. “Now the entire hockey-fan world knows I’m with you. It’s out there for everyone to see that you are my one and only.”

  Everything he had done lately was to prove to her that he was committed to her and only her. As if fighting to keep her wasn’t enough, now this. It warmed her heart and gave her a sense of security.

  “Honey, you’re a WAG now. I told you that you were one of us!” Paige rushed into the hall and exclaimed. “Oh, and spea
king of that, we’re making jackets for this season. I can’t wait for you to see them.”

  “Kass, I’ll tell you all about them. Come sit down with us.” Ali smiled, grabbing her arm and heading towards Trina’s room. “And you’ll have to come help us design them.”

  “Uh, Kass?” Luc called out, as Ali continued talking about the new WAGs jackets and pulling Kassie into the room. “Maybe I’ll just go get some more pudding. Kaden? You want to go to the cafeteria for some chocolate pudding?”

  Kassie looked back at Luc and shrugged her shoulders with an apologetic smile. He was smiling at her, a warm, loving grin. “It’s fine. Enjoy it. I’ll bring you back some pudding, sweets.”

  “I wonder if they have any pizza down there?” Kaden asked, as the two guys walked away. Her brother and her boyfriend, bonding over cafeteria food. Figured.

  She had the WAGs hat and the shirt. A new group of friends who were more like family, and she finally had her big brother back. And the best part of it all, there was not a doubt in her mind that Luc was all hers, and she could finally tell anyone who would listen that she was his one and only. She was still Kaden O’Conner’s little sister, but she was also Luc Marcella’s lady, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

  The End

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  I normally write a long and sappy post at the end of my books, but with each book there are more people to thank. (and I hate that I might forget someone)

  This time I will keep it short and sweet.

  Thanks to my husband and son for their patience while I’m writing, and for picking up the slack around the house.

  My mom and aunt, who have become my fans. This year they both attended an author signing that I was at. Their support means the world to me.

  Thanks to all the Renegades readers. You are the only reason I can do what I do.

  My beta readers Jennifer, Mary and Cindy. Love you ladies.

  My kick-ass editor. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have found you!

  My new proofreader, Patti. Looking forward to working together on many more Renegades books!