“For the love of God, woman. Would you please let me finish before you jump to conclusions?”

  I don’t look up, continuing tossing clothes in the suitcase. “You’ve got about thirty seconds until I’m done packing and taking my daughter out of here, so you better make it good.”

  “Last night when I found out Sutton doesn’t have insurance, I realized she could be on mine. It’s a fantastic plan that wouldn’t cost you a dime. But I can’t just randomly add someone to the plan. I need proof. I assume I’m not listed on the birth certificate.” It isn’t a question. He knows I didn’t list him as the father. The bed depresses as he sits on it, trying to get in my line of sight. I don’t let him. “The insurance company requires proof of parentage, so a DNA test is the only option. My attorney has done this kind of thing before and has the ability to arrange for a private test. here. We don’t even have to go to a lab. When the results are back in about a week, I will be able to add Sutton to my insurance because I’ll have the proof they need to show she’s my daughter.”

  With every word Tucker says, I feel myself calming down more, my frantic movements slowing. He’s not trying to take Sutton away or take over our lives. He’s trying to make sure she has access to medical care, no matter what Medicaid says.

  I close my eyes and drop my chin to my chest in a mixture of defeat and shame. I can’t believe I jumped to conclusions so quickly.

  Taking a deep breath, I force out the words that are so hard for me to say. “I’m sorry. That’s actually really nice.”

  “It’s not nice to take care of my child, Lacy. It’s the bare minimum of being a parent.”

  I nod in agreement because he’s got a point. Ellie and I have had this conversation when the topic of her own deadbeat baby daddy comes up. He wants accolades for showing up every once in a while with a package of diapers that Kody doesn’t even need. Says he should get credit for at least trying.

  But Tucker isn’t just trying, he’s doing. It’s not something I’ve seen anyone do in a long while and I’m not sure how to feel about it.

  I don’t have time to think too hard though before a noise in the other room has both of us running for the couch Sutton is sleeping on.

  Tucker gets to her first and picks her up, pulling her to his big chest.

  “It’s okay.” He pats her back gently as she coughs. “Get it all out. I got you.”

  I believe him when he says that. He’s got her. But who’s got me?

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  TUCKER

  “That was a hell of a game, man.” Maverick Hagen taps me on the helmet and pulls me into a hug after the traditional post-game greeting between teams.

  “You weren’t too shabby yourself. And this arena.” I let out a slow whistle as I glance around Vegas’s state of the art arena. “This ain’t no dive, is it?”

  Maverick and I played together in college and make it a point to catch up whenever we run into each other. He’s a good guy. Hell of a center and I suspect a damn good captain. I should probably be offended that I’ve never be chosen for leadership, what with my impeccable people skills, but honestly, I don’t want the responsibility.

  He chuckles low. “Can’t complain, man. How you doing in Tampa? You liking the change of pace?”

  “The pace is fine. It’s cool to be so close to the beach. But I also found out I have a kid.”

  It’s the first time I’ve shared that information with someone outside my team, except for Liam, and I can’t help the huge smile. Maverick on the other hand, looks a bit shell shocked.

  “I’m not really sure how to respond to that news. Is this a good thing?”

  “It was a surprise for sure, but my daughter is just amazing. You got plans tonight? We can grab a beer and catch up. I’ve got a ton of pictures I can show you.”

  “As exciting as an entire camera roll of pictures sounds, I can’t. This is the one night this week my woman is off work and I’m taking full advantage of having her to myself.”

  Lucky bastard. I’d love nothing more than to have some alone time with Lacy but considering how much venom she still spews my way, I don’t see that happening any time soon.

  “I hear ya. Next time you’re in Florida, though, it’s on.”

  He points at me as he skates toward his exit. “You got it. Have a safe trip home.”

  I head to the locker room, knocking a few knuckles with fans on my way through the tunnel. As soon as I strip off my jersey and pads, my phone rings. Weird. I guess I forgot to turn it off. Lucky it’s on though, or I would have missed Lacy’s call.

  We’ve been on a road trip for almost a week, the girls still hanging out at my house while Sutton gets better. I’ve been the one to initiate all the phone contact so far, so it’s strange for Lacy to reach out. I answer quickly, hoping Sutton didn’t have a relapse. “Hey. Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  A strange sense of relief floods me and I wonder if it’s a normal parenting thing to always worry about your kid. I should ask Lacy after she tells me what’s so important that she reached out.

  “I wanted to show you something. Can you switch to a video call or are you in the locker room?”

  I look around and of course a few of our nudists are completely oblivious to everyone else around them. “Put your dicks away, guys,” I call out. “I have to take this call!”

  A few of them have the wherewithal to wrap a towel around their waists. Maks is not one of them. He struts right over in all his birthday suit glory. “What’s up?” He holds his arms out wide. “Don’t want your woman to see what she’s missing?”

  “More like I don’t want my kid to have nightmares. Put that shit away.”

  “Your kid?” Maks grimaces and drops his arms. “Damn boy. I didn’t know you had one of those. I’m out.”

  I shake my head as he walks off to harass someone else, I’m sure.

  As soon as we’re in the clear, I let her know. “Okay, potential childhood trauma averted.”

  “You sure?” Lacy jokes. “No other teammates wanting to flaunt their manhood my direction?”

  The fact that she isn’t angry about the comment regarding her being “my woman” is not lost on me. I know it doesn’t mean much that she didn’t argue the point, but the fact that it wasn’t even a priority for her to clarify with my friends seems like a step in the direction I’m hoping for. That direction being a chance to show her I’m not just a good dad, I can be a good date, too.

  “The word manhood is stretching things a bit,” I say as I switch to video chat.

  What comes on the screen takes my breath away and makes me laugh at the same time. Sutton and Kody are wearing their new jerseys and trying to hit something around the floor with…

  I squint to try and get a better look. “Are those giant plastic golf clubs?”

  “It’s the closest we could come to finding hockey sticks in the toy box.”

  “Oh, well, clearly I’m going to have to rectify that situation.”

  “Please don’t bring anything labeled a stick into this house. That’s always asking for trouble. The plastic hurts badly enough when I get nailed in the shin.”

  She reaches down, probably to rub her leg and I realize she has a solid point. I’ll wait on the hockey sticks.

  For now.

  I keep watching as the kids chase what appears to be a soft baseball around, knocking each other out of the way as they swing. Lacy’s right—their aim is way off. They don’t need anything harder than plastic. Still, it’s fun to watch.

  Suddenly Sutton body checks Kody and he goes flying off the screen. A guffaw bursts out of me. “I see they were inspired by my amazing performance tonight.”

  “Yes,” Lacy says straight-faced. “Because you’re so easy to recognize with a helmet and thirty pounds of pads on.”

  I shrug with indifference. They’re at least watching the game. Close enough. “She’s feeling better?”

  Kody pops back onto the screen and they’re at it again.

  “Much. Her cough is almost gone, so her pediatrician said we could come home.”

  My heart plummets as her words hit me right in the gut. I’m not sure why I didn’t put it together that they’re with Kody and rifling through toy boxes which means they’re not at my place anymore.

  “Wait. You moved back?”

  The screen flips back around and I see Lacy’s guilty face.

  “Well yeah. We couldn’t stay at your place forever.”

  “Why not?”

  I knew the situation was temporary, but it never occurred to me that they’d actually leave. It makes no sense that the reality of the situation slipped my mind, but I was enjoying us all being together so much until I left for the road trip, I stopped thinking about it, and started assuming maybe it would be forever.

  “Tucker…” Lacy starts but I cut her off.

  “No really. Why not? Why couldn’t you live with me?”

  She sighs. “I don’t think this is a conversation we need to have while you’re in your locker room, still wearing your skates.”

  I know she’s trying to deflect, but I won’t let up.

  “It’s something we can talk about when I get home then?”

  There’s a fiery glint in her eyes and I know I’m about to lose this round. “There’s nothing to talk about. This is where we live. As fun as it was to play house, I still have a job and responsibilities.”

  “And we still share a daughter,” I argue.

  “Right. We share her. Individually. Not jointly.”

  I feel like I’ve been punched. Somehow I know this is not about me, it’s about Lacy’s fear of me and all the havoc I could bring to her life. But that doesn’t mean her words don’t hurt. But it’s not worth the fight when I have over a week left on the road. Nothing will get resolved over the phone.

  I nod and purse my lips, tempering my anger before I say anything I’ll regret.

  “I get it. Listen I’ve gotta go, so give the kids a hug for me, okay?”

  I don’t wait for her to answer, just hang up. I’m not happy with the way things are starting to shape up. I just have to figure out how to make this work in a way that’s good for everyone.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  LACY

  I open the door quietly, trying not to disturb anyone. These walls are paper thin and Ellie tends to be a light sleeper so I don’t want to wake her up. Not that the bass thumping from the apartment down the hall hasn’t already done the job, but I can at least try to be considerate.

  As I walk through the door, though, I realize my attempts were for nothing. She’s wide awake, laying on the couch, staring at the television.

  I tilt my head to the side in question. “What are you doing up? Mr. Party-Hard down the hall wake you?”

  She sits up and moves her legs so I can take a load off. “No. I don’t work tomorrow and I wasn’t tired so I thought I’d wait up for you.”

  “You weren’t able to pick up anyone else’s shift?”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  That’s weird. Neither of us worked for a week so I’ve been freaking out about rent and she seems almost nonchalant. But it’s been a long few days and I don’t really want to think about it.

  “How were the kids?”

  Ellie smiles. “They just hate being apart, don’t they? It takes them days to stop clinging to each other. They played all night, no fighting. And I thought there was going to be a mini-riot at bedtime when they had to separate.”

  That just confirms that this is where Sutton and I need to be. As nice as it was to get to know Tucker better, the situation wasn’t real. This is. In this apartment with the people we’ve chosen as our family.

  “I’m glad.” I punch her on the leg lightly. “We really missed you guys when we were gone.”

  “We missed you, too. But it was good for you to spend time with Tucker. Get to know the father of your daughter a little bit. Maybe see if that chemistry is still there.”

  I ignore her suggestion and waggling eyebrows. No way am I admitting to her, or myself that she’s bang on. Sexual attraction isn’t the most important part of this situation and I’ll be damned if I let it get in the way.

  So I shrug nonchalantly. “I guess.”

  “What do you mean you guess?”

  I stretch my legs out and clasp my hands, dropping them on my stomach. My feet are killing me. It feels good to not have any pressure on them. “I’m just still so mad he wasn’t around, you know? He put me and Sutton in some really terrible situations and nothing he does now can make up for it.”

  “Is that really fair, though? He never knew you were pregnant. And as soon as he found out about Sutton, he fired the guy who kept the information from him.”

  I want to roll my eyes, but I can’t because she’s right. At this point, there’s no denying it. “Logically I know that’s true, but it’s hard to give up the anger when I’ve held onto it for so long.”

  “And probably hard for you to let your walls down and let him in.”

  I look at her quizzically. “Walls? I don’t have walls. I just don’t trust him.”

  “But you trust me.”

  “Because you were here. He wasn’t.”

  “And who’s fault was that again?”

  I pause and finally get what she’s saying. I’m misdirecting my anger. Tucker didn’t do anything wrong. If anything, he’s done everything right since the second he found out about his daughter.

  I look back to the TV. “Fine. You win. I have walls.”

  She nudges my knee. “Good for you. The first step is admitting it. Now you can start working on breaking them down.”

  “Yeah, that’s not going to be my priority for a good long while. I’ve got a child to raise and bills to pay first.”

  “Speaking of…” Ellie gets up and grabs a flat package off the counter. Biting her bottom lip, she holds it out to me. It’s clear she’s not sure how I’m going to react to whatever this is. “This came for you today.”

  I take it out of her hands slowly. There’s no postage. It’s not a priority-mail box from the post office. But it’s stamped with some delivery service logo right underneath my name. “Is this going to blow up in my face? Maybe scatter little penis glitter everywhere?”

  Ellie laughs and sits back down. “Oh lord I hope not. Kody is getting a little too obsessed with his lately.”

  Holding the envelope away from my face, I get my fingers in position to open it. “Get the vacuum ready, just in case,” I joke.

  “We can’t afford a vacuum,” she mutters.

  I pull the tab quickly, practically holding my breath as the top rips open.

  Nothing happens.

  “Well, that was anti-climactic,” I mutter. It’s just a small packet of papers and a note. Not a piece of glitter to be found.

  Turning the pages right side up, I begin to read.

  Lacy-

  Sorry I couriered this over but I didn’t want the check to get lost in the mail like everything else seems to.

  “Check? What check?” I murmur.

  Taking the paper clip off, a check made out to me falls onto my lap. I gasp when I see the amount.

  “Holy fuck.”

  Ellie leans over my shoulder and puts her own spin on my bad language. “Oh my shit. We can afford a vacuum now. Who is that from?”

  “Who do you think? Tucker.”

  “For what?”

  I look down at the bottom left corner of the check. “Child support.”

  “Holy shit,” she shouts and snatches the check out of my hands to inspect it more closely. “Is this for the whole year?”

  Looking back at the note, I keep reading.

  My attorney drew up these papers so we could get child support started and get Sutton on my medical insurance as soon as possible. It’s great insurance since injuries are so common in my sport, and those benefits will extend to her.

  Before you freak out, there’s nothing about visitation or custody in the papers. All these papers do is mandate what I’m required to pay you in support every month. That’s it. It gives you legal recourse if I disappear (which I won’t) and makes it easier to get benefits if I were to drop dead on the ice (which I hope I won’t). Everything in here is to protect you and Sutton. It’s the least I can do.

  While I hope we can get to some sort of custody agreement eventually, Sutton doesn’t know me yet. Neither do you. I’d rather us all take this slow instead of forcing relationships in a harmful way. This is my way of extending an olive branch and showing you I’m in this for the long haul. I’ve already missed more than three years of her life. I don’t want to miss a minute more.

  If you have time in the next few days, I’d like to sit down and talk. There’s more I want to discuss, but not through a note that some random courier dropped off. I want us to work together for the good of our daughter. I’m all in. I hope you are, too.

  Tucker

  Quickly I flip through the legal pages until I find what I’m looking for.

  “Ohmygod,” I breathe.

  “What?” Ellie looks over my shoulder again, trying to see what I just discovered.

  “This is one month’s worth of child support.”

  “What?” Ellie screeches.

  “I’m going to get this every month.”

  Dumbfounded, I look from the paper, to the check, to Ellie, and back to the paper. “What the fuck, Ellie? I can’t accept this.”

  She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Uh, you can and you will.”

  “No way.” I throw my hands up. “It’s like he’s trying to make up for not being here by throwing money at us.”

  “Okay first of all, put the little bricks in your brain away again and really think this through. Lacy,” she leans forward, forcing eye contact. “How much money do you think he makes?”

  I have no idea so I take a guess. “A lot, maybe?”

  “Right. Because he’s a professional hockey player. They make bank.” She scooches closer. “Forget about what you think his ulterior motives are. Legally, he’s required to provide a portion of his paycheck for Sutton’s care. Legally. That has nothing to do with you or your pride or making amends or anything.”