If You Love Me: Chapter 45

A short video of the on-ice action follows, as well as a photo of Fee and Dred sitting together in the stands. Dred has become like a pseudo-sister-aunt to those girls over the past few months. Lexi and I are extraordinarily lucky to have her in our lives. On nights like this, when the Terror has a game and so does Callie, Dred accompanies Fee to watch Callie.

“How’s the game going for Callie?” Hollis asks as we make our way to the arena.

“The second period just started, but it’s a shutout so far.” I slide my phone into my pocket.

“Wishing you were there?”

Always so fucking perceptive. “Yup. Soon enough I will be.”

“Soon neither of us will have the same travel schedule.”

Hollis is still on the retirement train with me, and that gives me something else to be excited about when I step into coaching shoes at the Hockey Academy.

“I know. As sad as I am to be hanging up my skates, I’m ready for it. I want time with the girls. I want to be present for Callie.” The elevator doors open, and we step inside.

The past month has had its fair share of ups and downs. The annual gala was last weekend, and it was nice to watch the date with a hockey player auction and not be part of it this year. It was also fantastic to have my wife on my arm. Sophia, who won the date with me last year attended with the Waters. She was introduced to Tristan’s dad, who came to show support, and the two of them spent the night talking.

The media coverage of the gala touched on my relationship with Lexi, but for the most part the focus stayed on the auction, which is a good sign for next season.

In addition to raising a huge amount of money for charity through the gala, the Terror is slated to make the playoffs. But we’re not at the top this time. I’d love to be in the same space we were last season, but a short off-season has an impact. While other teams had an extra month to recuperate, we were fighting for the Cup. Not to mention all the other changes.

“You’re enjoying being a pseudo stepdad, eh?” Hollis rubs his bottom lip.

“It’s nice to parent with someone,” I agree.

“Do you think you’d want to start again?”

“If that’s what Lexi wants, then yeah. I’d take time off, be the primary parent so she can focus on her career.”

Hollis laughs.

“Why is that funny?”

“You didn’t even hesitate. You’re already planning for this, aren’t you?”

“I mean, I’ve thought about it. Callie’s only nine. I’m forty. If Lexi gets pregnant in the next couple of years, I’ll still have lots of energy. I’d love to do it again, but with someone this time, you know?”

“Oh, I get it.” He hides a smile behind his hand.

I arch a brow. “You can’t be ready for that. You haven’t even proposed yet.”

“I will. Soon.”

“Do not get my daughter pregnant.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “I’d like her to have some time in her career, and I’d like to be married for a couple of years before we start that discussion. But it’s good to know where you stand.”

“I just want her to live a little.”

“I know. Me too, Roman.”

Hemi and Peggy are waiting at the end of the hall for us.

Peggy’s eyes narrow. “You two look serious.”

“You look beautiful,” Hollis says smoothly and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“You good?” Hemi asks.

“I’m good.”

Dallas pushes through the doors to our right. “Honey? There you are. You were there one second, and then you were gone.” Dallas adjusts his tie. He’s dressed in his typical plaid-suit uniform.

“You were too busy looking at your pretty face in the mirror.” Hemi wears a smirk.

“Hemi really owns your ass, doesn’t she?” I chuckle.

“One hundred percent yes. All day every day.” He stops in front of her. “Permission to put my lips briefly on your lips because I won’t survive until after the game if you say no.”

“You can kiss me. But don’t try to slip me the tongue or I won’t be nice later.”

“Oh, honey, that was the wrong thing to say.” He winds his arm around her waist and pulls her against him.

She laughs and tries to turn her head, but his other hand is in her hair. “I was kidding.” He kisses the end of her nose, then gives her a peck on the lips before he releases her.

“Where’s Ash?” Hemi asks.

“Heading down with Flip and the rest of the crew.”

The elevator doors open, and the four of them step out, along with Tally, Essie, Shilpa, and Nate, whose face is the color of a beet. Makes me wonder what kind of conversation the girls were having on the way down.

There are hugs and back pats before we make the short trip to the arena, where the girls and Nate split off, heading up to the box. Lexi’s already with the other coaches, and I’ll see her shortly in the locker room for the pre-game strategy talk.

We’re closing in on the end of the season, and tonight will be a tough game. The last time we played Boston, they handed us our ass. Every point counts when we’re this close to playoffs.

We suit up, and the mood in the locker room is tense but hopeful.

“I know this season hasn’t been an easy one,” Vander Zee begins. “We’ve seen a lot of change, and there’s more coming. But last year we took home the Cup. We’re still that team, and we can win against Boston. We did it last year, and we can do it again this year. The skill is there; the will is there. Dig deep and ignore the noise, because I know there’s been a lot of it this season. Focus on the goal, which is bringing Boston to their knees and securing the best possible spot in the playoffs again.”

“We’ll do you proud, Coach,” Madden says.

There’s a chorus of “yeahs” and “we got this” and a bunch of back pats before we leave the locker room and take the ice.

But the first period is rough. Grace ends up with a penalty in the first five minutes, and Boston scores a goal.

Madden makes up for it in the second half of the first period by tying the score, but we’re working hard to keep Boston away from the net, and the puck always seems to be floating around our net instead of theirs.

At the end of the first period, I’m feeling the pressure, just like everyone else. We head to the locker room and plan strategy for period two.

“We should front load the first line to give us the advantage.” Lexi crosses her arms. “And Grace, we need you to stay out of the penalty box. We can’t afford to give them another power play.”

Grace rubs the back of his neck.

“You’re in the same league as Bowman with your stick-handling skills. Forget about everything else and be that guy tonight.” Lexi points at Madden. “You’re not idiot teenagers anymore. You’re teammates. Put everything else aside like you have been and keep showing up for each other.”

Madden nods. “I hear you, Coach.”

“For the welfare of your team. For the legacy of the guys who are not coming back next year, play like nothing else matters but winning this game.”

Madden starts clapping. “Beautiful speech, Coach Forrester.”

Lexi rolls her eyes. “Fuck off, Madden.”

“I’m serious.”

Everyone starts clapping, and then they start whooping, and I’m halfway to a hard-on because that’s my fucking wife bolstering the team.

Vander Zee stands back, wearing a smile, all proud peacock. “Let’s get our asses out there and score some goals.”

Within the first two minutes of the second period, Madden scores with Grace as the assist, giving us a one-point lead. Boston comes back at us, trying to even it up again. But the shift is exactly what we need. Madden and Grace are playing like a unit, and it’s fucking magic.

Boston ties it up at the end of the second period, but Stiles scores another goal at the top of the third, and with the help of defense, we manage to keep the lead, win the game, and secure the position we want in the playoffs. It wasn’t easy, but we’re one step closer to where we want to be as a team—and not just for the playoffs. Hopefully the progress Madden and Grace made in recent months will follow them into next season.

Before I take off my gear, I check my messages. Callie had a shutout tonight, which is a huge deal. I wish Lexi or I could have been there to witness it, but I know that time isn’t far off. Lexi has already sent a huge congratulations, and I follow suit, with promises of dinner out tomorrow night to celebrate her win.

“We need to go out tonight,” Flip says as he strips out of his gear. “We fought too hard not to enjoy it.”

“Everyone up for the Watering Hole?” Hollis asks.

“Yeah. Not many more opportunities like this,” I agree.

“I’ll text Aurora.” Hollis types a quick message.

Half an hour later, we arrive at the Watering Hole. With Shilpa pregnant and showing, the club is not her scene. It isn’t really mine at this point either, but I’m all about going with the flow. Peggy throws her arms around me. “You were awesome tonight, Dad. The whole team was.”

“Thanks, kiddo.” I give her a squeeze.

She smiles up at me. “I’ll be sad not to have you in the office all the time next year, but I’m excited for you to be at the Hockey Academy.”

“I feel the same way.” It’ll be a transition, like all the others. It feels easier this time, though. Having Lexi and the girls has shifted my focus. “But at least you still live across the hall from me.”

“Hollis and I aren’t going anywhere.” She gives me a squeeze and kisses my cheek.

She joins the girls, including Dred, who left a sleeping Callie in Fee’s care. They’re all sitting at their favorite table, laughing and chatting.

Lexi tucks herself under my arm. “You feeling nostalgic, Goalie?”

“Yeah, Coach, I am.”

“They’re still your family. That won’t change.”

I kiss her temple. “I know. It’s been a great run, but it’s time to move forward. Who knows, we might be raising the first female goalie the league has seen.”

She looks up, eyes alight with the possibility. “Wouldn’t that be incredible?”

“It would.” I can see Callie rising through the ranks, see my wife doing the same while I train the next generation. The future is taking shape, and I’m in love with the way it looks.

I’m ready to slow down. To give Lexi time to build her career. To be a dad to Callie and Fee. To change gears. To have a family of my own to love and grow with.

Lexi joins the girls, who are deep in conversation about Rix and Tristan’s upcoming wedding, and I join the guys.

Tristan hands me a beer. “We’ll miss you next year.”

“I won’t be far. And who knows, I might get a chance to coach your brother.” Brody’s at Tilton University, just like Tally. He’s on a hockey scholarship and has had a great first season with the team.

“Yeah, it’ll be a busy summer for us. That’s for sure.” He claps Nate on the shoulder. “Good thing we’ve got Essie to help with all the planning, eh?”

He sips his beer. “She’s definitely highly invested in all things wedding related.”

“Only a few more months and you’ll be a married man.” Dallas sighs. “I have to wait a whole year.” Dallas and Hemi are planning a summer wedding at his parents’ place up in Huntsville next year.

Tristan smirks. “I’m pretty sure you’ll survive. Besides, you don’t want to share the spotlight with me and Rix.”

“That’s the damn truth.” Dallas clinks his bottle against Tristan’s, then turns to Hollis. “When are you joining the club?”

“Soon. Just waiting for the right time.”

“I’m perfectly happy over here in the single club.” Nate taps his bottle against Flip’s.

“One day that’ll change.” Flip takes a swig from his bottle.

“We’ll see.” Nate’s gaze shifts.

I follow it as Essie passes on the other side of the bar, heading for the bathroom.

I keep my mouth shut. But I’d bet it’s only a matter of time before those two stop dancing around each other.

We stay for one beer, then head down the street to the condo. Fee can certainly stay with Callie on her own, but I feel best when all my girls are safe with me. I wait until we’re alone in the elevator before I curve my palm around the back of Lexi’s neck and pull her close.

She tips her head up, expression quizzical. “What’s this look?”

“I want a family with you.”

“You have a family with me. It’s blended and atypical, but it’s a family. You and all your girls.” She smooths the lapels of my suit jacket.

“I want a baby with you.”

Her eyes flare. “You want to knock me up?”

“Yeah.” I can see it already—Lexi’s rounded belly. “I want you to be the mother of our child. I want to do this with you. I want middle-of-the-night feedings, and first steps, and first words with you. I want all the experiences I never had. And I want to watch you be an inspiring, badass mom to our baby.”

“Honestly?” Her expression softens, and she links her fingers behind my neck. “I want that, too.”

“Yeah?” A smile spreads across my face.

Her eyes heat. “The image I have of you holding a baby, our baby, is…” She practically purrs. “Yes, please.”

The elevator doors slide open, and I let us into the penthouse. Both girls are already asleep, but Lexi and I kiss Callie good night anyway before we disappear into our bedroom. As soon as I lock the door, we’re frantic hands and hungry mouths, peeling each other out of our clothes and kissing exposed skin.

We barely make it to the bed before she’s pulling me on top of her. My cock slides over her clit, and she moans wantonly. “You’re already wet and ready for me.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said the idea of you holding our baby does it for me.”

I reach between us and drag the head past her clit, nudging her entrance, eyes on hers.

“I need you in me,” she whispers.

I push inside and we both make matching, relieved sounds. I’ll never get enough of her, of her softness, of the way we fit together. Of how good it feels to be connected to her like this, surrounded, submerged, complete.

I frame her face in my palms and slow things down now that I’m exactly where I want to be. Lexi wraps herself around me and we move together, making love. The orgasm rolls in, slow and gentle, dragging us both under at the same time. Perfectly in sync.

She’s my heart and my home. My wife.

My future.