by Kate Meader
Gunnar drew his brows together. “I think you’ll find that it’ll come to a head eventually. A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.”
“What’s that? Plato or some shit?”
“Kung Fu Panda.”
Hunt coughed out a laugh, then turned up the volume of the TV. Bro-bonding break over.
The night before game five at home against Boston, Theo’s grandmother descended on Cavalero’s, a nice Italian restaurant in Riverbrook, in a swish of shawls, red lipstick, and Chanel No. 5. Kind of like a geriatric Stevie Nicks (or just Stevie Nicks who was herself geriatric by now). She’d given a wrapped rectangular package to the server and told him to “guard it with his life,” then ordered a dirty martini with Tito vodka and three olives.
“Darling,” Aurora said to Theo, “did I tell you what the Saugatuck Players are doing this summer? CATS!”
“Cats,” Theo repeated, like the word was a foreign language. “The musical?”
“They’re putting it on for the July 4th holiday weekend. And I have a MAJOR PART.”
“Let me guess. One of the cats.”
Aurora smiled indulgently. “Yes, Theodore. One of the cats.”
“Because nothing says Independence Day more than people dressed in cat suits singing about …” He turned to Elle. “What do they sing about?”
“Memories,” she said. “It’s pretty much responsible for ruining Broadway musicals.”
Theo pointed at his grandmother. “See? And this is what you’re contributing to?”
Aurora waved off any criticism. “We’re looking for extra kitties in the chorus. You’ll have time when the season is over.”
“You should do that, Theo,” Elle said. “You have a lovely singing voice.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Aurora gazed at her grandson fondly, blind to any faults, because he had none.
“No chance.” From his stern tone, Elle got the impression Aurora had “convinced” Theo to participate in sketchy activities in the past.
“Oh, well,” Aurora said easily. “I’ll make sure to set aside two tickets for our opening and closing performances.”
“Same night, I hope,” Theo muttered.
“Front row, please,” Elle said, enjoying the dynamic between the two.
“Every summer she’s got something going on,” Theo said. “The year before last, it was a performance art piece where she got naked and covered herself in chocolate sauce and peanuts.”
Elle gaped. “You mean you performed naked? In front of your grandson?”
“Like that was the first time,” Theo said with a withering look at Aurora. “As soon as I realized what was happening, I covered my eyes and didn’t peek until the curtain fell. Thirty minutes of torture, listening to her rolling around on the floor while she talked about being “Snickered” as a stand-in for feminism.”
Aurora cackled while Elle covered her mouth. “Oh, that’s just cruel.”
“This is what you’re getting yourself into, Ellie,” Theo said. “Not too late to make a run for it.”
“Oh, she’s made of stronger stuff!” Aurora declared. “So, Elle, tell me all about your family.”
Maybe not the most elegant of segues, but not completely unexpected. Elle put a large forkful of spaghetti into her mouth, chewed, and chewed some more.
“Um, sorry,” Elle said when she’d swallowed. “Nothing to tell, really. Mom, Dad, sister. They live in Florida.”
“Thought it was New York,” Theo said, tearing open a bread roll with those magical digits.
“They split their time. My father’s business takes him all over.”
Aurora smiled warmly. “And what’s that?”
“What’s what?”
“Your father’s business?”
“Financial consultants. They advise people on what to do with their retirement funds, that kind of thing.”
Theo eyed her over his water glass. No one cared about her family in the army. Even Hunt had never bothered to delve deeper, probably because he didn’t want to divulge any secrets of his own.
Aurora was just getting started. “What do your family think about the baby?”
“They’re happy as long as I am.”
“And are you?”
Time appeared to stop and she felt all eyes on her. “I’m in a better place than I was when I first found out.” She peeked up through the veil of her lashes at Aurora, who watched with compassion. “It’s such a huge shock that at first, it’s hard to see the woods for the trees. But everyone’s been really great.”
“Stop badgering her, Aurora.”
“I’m not! I’m just curious about the competition. Who’ll be the best at raspberry kisses on the baby’s tummy? What am I up against?”
You’ll win hands down. “You’re going to be the coolest great-grandmom in the world, Aurora.”
Evidently pleased with that, she turned to her grandson. “How did your doctor’s appointment go the other day?”
“Doctor’s appointment?” Elle barked at Theo. “Is something wrong?”
Theo narrowed his eyes at his grandmother. “No. Just a routine MRI. I get one every six months to make sure my ticking time bomb of a brain hasn’t begun another countdown.”
Aurora pointed a knife at him. “Oh, you joke now.”
“That’s what I do.” But there was a hint of uncertainty about those words.
Elle caught Aurora’s eye and saw her own concern reflected back at her. Not just that, but an understanding: we both care about him so much. We’ll do what it takes to keep him safe.
Elle spoke up. “He has doctors at his beck and call, 24/7. Short of an overdeveloped Broca’s area which makes him never shut up, he’s the picture of perfect health.”
Theo stared at her. “When did you become an expert?”
“When I realized you’re more valuable to me on that ice.”
“And they say romance is dead,” Theo muttered.
She stuck out her tongue, which made him smile. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.
“When he goes to his maker,” Elle said to Aurora, still holding Theo’s hand, “it’ll be because I killed him in a pregnancy-induced rage.”
Aurora said, “It’s a vulnerable time for a woman.”
“Sounds more vulnerable for a man if I have to watch my back,” Theo said.
Elle smiled. “Don’t fret, Kershaw. Any violence will be to your face. Literally and figuratively.”
That made him smile again. “Lucky me.”
Abruptly, Aurora grasped Elle’s hand, a tight, but friendly squeeze. Then Theo’s, completing the hand-holding circle.
“Just go with it,” he murmured.
“Dearest Venus, goddess of all that is lovely and good, bless these astoundingly beautiful and breathtakingly fertile youngsters as they embark on this amazing journey. May their baby be healthy, their happiness assured, and their sex life unusual, for variety is the spice of life.”
“Jesus, Aurora.”
“And may the Rebels beat the tar out of those Boston fuckers.”
“Amen,” Theo said with a wink at Elle.
24
After their shocking come from behind series win in round 1, can the @ChiRebels shut down the tremors the @LAQuake are bringing in round 2? Join the conversation with @HockeyGrrl and @ChiSportsNet #Playoffs #ChiRebels #Round2
“What did you do to Tommy Gordon?” Violet asked.
Sitting at the back of the owners’ box, half-watching the first game of the series while Violet filled her in on all the team gossip, Elle met the knife-sharp gaze of Theo’s agent. They’d crossed paths infrequently since that day in the lawyer’s offices but anytime they met, she shriveled under his eagle-eyed scrutiny.
“He thinks I’m playing Theo.”
“He’s such a dick. Hot, though.”
Elle looked away. “Guys in suits do nothing for me. Give me a—”
“Guy in a jock strap?”
She coc
ked her head at Violet. “Am I missing out on the fantasy opportunities afforded by jock straps?”
“Ask Theo to wear one some night,” Violet commented. “You can get a lot of sexy mileage out of a cup. Bren has one I like to call the ‘meat lover’ …”
“Baby, don’t tell all our secrets,” a thick Scottish burr cut in. Bren nodded at Elle, his color high above his facial hair. “Elle, how are you?”
“Good. Getting quite the education about sports equipment. Missing everything, especially beer. My back is sore, but that might be my mattress, and … oh, you weren’t really expecting that level of detail.”
Bren smiled patiently and Violet laughed. “Think I’ll go get some food. You need anything, Elle?”
“No, I’ll get something in a minute.”
She kept her eye on the TV screen, pleased to see that Theo was on fire tonight. He’d blocked several passes in the zone, had spent more time on ice than anyone in the first period, and was clearly having a good game.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Amy. You busy?
“I need to make a call,” she muttered to Violet who was busy whispering to Bren.
Outside the executive box, she called her sister. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Just wanted to hear your voice. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. Your guy seems to be doing well.” Amy sounded oddly muted.
“He is. I’ve been thinking of you, too.” She checked to make sure no one was near. “How’s that problem?”
“Oh, that,” she said, with far too much casualness. “They want the engagement ring back, but I already sold it.”
“How much is it worth? I have some savings.”
“That’s not why I called. I’ve been watching those goofy videos he does. Your guy. He seems so sweet and I can tell he’s thrilled about the baby.” Her voice was wistful, maybe even tinged with regret.
If there was the slightest chance Amy could break free of her old life, Elle had to take it. “I want you to meet him. Come stay with me for a while.”
“What? Oh, no. I don’t want to screw things up for you.”
Amy’s usual confidence had clearly deserted her. She sounded like a shadow of herself. “That’s just it. I think it’s going to be okay. It’s early days but Theo and I have an understanding.”
Amy hummed. “Oh. Shit. You’re thinking of telling him, aren’t you? About the fam?”
Until Amy said it, she hadn’t been certain. “I am. I figure I can trust him to be cool with it. I thought that maybe he would try to take the baby if he knew but he won’t. It’s better he knows.”
“Is it? Remember what happened with that guy back in Miami?”
Preston. “This isn’t the same. I’m not looking to be in a relationship with Theo.” Liar. “He’s too nice for me, but he deserves to know the truth about his baby’s grandparents.”
“You’re in love with him.”
Was she? No. Perhaps a little. She definitely cared about him. Was that why she wanted to tell him? Either to test his resolve or push him away?
“No—maybe. You’ve seen him on those videos. That’s his personality. He’s impossible not to fall for. He lives this open, honest life, so opposite to people like us, Ames. He’s good to me because he’s worried about the baby. That’s his primary concern. He and I don’t have a future but I want only good things for him.”
“Oh, sis. That’s just it. You’re not like us. You got all the good genes. I wish—God, I wish I could be more like you. Maybe Jackson and I could have …” She choked on a … was that a sob?
“Jackson? You mean—oh, Ames.” Her sister had fallen for her mark, the most egregious mistake a con artist could make.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen. He’s a really nice guy, completely opposite to me, and I really hurt him. By the time I’d figured it out I was already in too deep.”
Tell me about it. “I’m so sorry. Have you tried talking to him?”
“He won’t take my calls. Now I’m dodging some slimy associate, a so-called spokesman for his family, who says I owe them.”
Jesus, would this never end? “I have about nine grand in my savings account. Maybe you can pay off your debt with that.”
“Your oh-shit fund? No way.” Her voice became stronger. “I’m rooting for you two, the hockey hunk and girl with the biggest heart of anyone I know. I’m hoping you won’t need that money because it works out for you. Hoping that it works out for one of us. Good luck, Elle-Belle.” She sniffed and hung up.
Elle shut her eyes, her heart in turmoil. She wanted to help her sister, but Amy was right—she might need her emergency fund because Elle really had no idea how Theo would react when she told him his child’s grandparents were criminals. He put on a good front to the world, but after everything he’d gone through with his mom and dad, he had to have significant trust issues. Telling him she’d lied all this time was a huge risk.
What if she gave the money to Amy and depleted her savings? Elle would have to rely on Theo until she could go back to work. She had no doubt he would help but the idea of dropping all this on him shredded every last nerve.
“Hello, Elle.”
She turned to meet a set of soulless shark’s eyes set in the face of Tommy Gordon, because this shit always comes in threes: Amy, her imminent confession, and now this. A voice in her head told her that this guy had Theo’s back. They both wanted to protect him even if they were going about it differently.
“Tommy.” She could barely muster enough politeness for even that. Had he overheard her conversation with Amy?
“How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good.” She felt like a bug under a glass. “Something on your mind, Tommy?”
“Elle, you seem like a nice girl—”
“Emphasis on ‘seem,’ right?”
His jaw clenched at the interruption. “Theo’s a great guy, one of my favorite clients. And he needs to be protected from people who will try to take him for what they can get.”
“You saw the agreement. I don’t get a penny.” The notion of having to defend herself to this douchebag made her ill, even though she understood his heart—if it could be called that—was in the right place.
Her head was spinning. Amy was in trouble and completely downplaying it. Elle needed to psyche herself up to tell Theo about her family, about all her lies and deceptions.
Tommy was still talking. Please shut up, I’m thinking.
“I underestimated you, Elle. You’re more subtle than I gave you credit for. A multi-point plan, I suppose. Why go for a lump sum when the cash cow keeps on giving? What are your intentions here?”
Her intentions? “Who the hell do you think you are? Lady Catherine de freakin’ Bourgh? My intentions are none of your business.”
He raised an eyebrow at her outburst but a second later, his eyes widened with concern. “Elle, are you okay?”
It wasn’t just her head spinning anymore. The walls looked like they were attached to a treadmill. “I’m—I’m fine. I just need to—”
Fall down.
Theo barged through the emergency room doors at Riverbrook Northwestern Healthcare and stopped at the front desk.
“My …” My what? “My fiancée was brought in earlier. She’s pregnant.”
“Her name?”
“Elle. Elle Butler.” He shook his head. “It might be under Eloise.”
“Theo.”
He turned at the sound of a familiar voice—Bren St. James stood behind him with his wife Violet. They must have been sitting in the waiting area when he thundered by.
“Is she okay?”
Violet nodded quickly and patted his arm. “As far as we know. Just a dizzy spell. The doctor and her parents are in with her now.”
“Her parents? Are you sure?”
Violet slid a glance to Bren. “Yeah, apparently they had just shown up at the Rebels Center when it happened.”
Bren squeezed his shoulder. “She’ll be okay, Kershaw.”
Five minutes after hitting the locker room, Dante had pulled him aside and told him Elle had fainted outside the owners’ box. Dante had driven him over and was off parking the car.
“Theo.” Tommy stood behind Bren, his expression grave. What the hell was he doing here? “I was with her when it happened.”
“You?” Tommy’s opinion on Elle hadn’t changed—Theo knew that much—but he was careful to keep it to himself. Only, Tommy’s face right now … “Did you upset her in some way?”
“I’m sorry.” He looked stricken. “We were talking and I might have been a little harsh.”
“A little—” His step forward was halted with Bren’s hand in his chest.
“Go see your girl, Theo. Plenty of time to deal with this later.”
He nodded, inhaled deep. He turned back to the nurse at the desk. “I need to see Elle Butler.”
A switch of recognition flipped in the nurse’s eyes. “Sure, Mr. Kershaw, I’ll take you back there now.”
He was vaguely aware of someone patting him on the back before he was ushered somewhere else. The nurse said something about the baby being okay, that everything was normal, and other stuff that he couldn’t hear above the waterfall rush of noise in his ears. Intellectually he knew Elle was fine, but his heart hadn’t caught up. His pulse trip-hammered fifty thousand miles a minute.
Seated on the bed, she looked pale and serious. Still in her regular clothes, a blue sweater and leggings, so he supposed that was a good sign. On seeing him, she smiled. A little tentative, but enough to put him at ease.
“The baby’s fine,” she said first thing, assuring him that the reason for their connection was still viable. He cared—of course he cared—but this wasn’t just about the baby.
“I heard. What about you?”
“Me?” Surprise tripped across her expression. When would she get it into her head that she was just as precious to him? That he loved her.
Christ, he loved this woman.
“I’m okay. Just low blood sugar.”
He grasped her hand and raised it to his lips, closing his eyes as he held her knuckles there. “So you didn’t eat enough today?”