Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Maddie rolls her eyes but her lips twitch. “Careful. If she inherits your stubborn streak too, we’re screwed.”
“Stubborn? I prefer determined.”
“Uh-huh. Tell that to the poor kitchen cabinet you slammed the other night when you couldn’t get it closed.”
I groan. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
“Nope,” she says cheerfully, shifting Grayce higher on her shoulder. “She’s been extra wiggly today. I think she’s realizing her legs work independently of the rest of her body. She tried to wiggle her way out of the swing earlier.”
I grin. “Love the powerhouse move. We’ll have her skating before she’s walking. Hip checking before she hits pre-K.”
Maddie gives me a look. “Here we go again. Hockey, hockey, hockey. Do you know I caught myself googling baby-size hockey gear last night?”
The laugh that rips out of me feels good, easy. “Oh yeah? Find anything?”
“Just tiny jerseys and a lot of very concerned parent forums saying things like ‘Don’t put skates on your infant.’”
“Ignore them. We’ll start her early.”
“Over my dead body,” she teases, but there’s no real bite in it.
“So… are you going to watch the game tonight?”
“I might,” she hedges with a mischievous smile. “By the way, did you know your face-off percentage is six points higher in the postseason than regular season?”
I blink, stunned. “I did, but I’m wondering why you know that stat. Are you turning into a full-on fan?”
She shrugs, grinning. “I have to keep up if I’m going to raise a hockey baby with you.”
Her words shouldn’t hit me the way they do. A punch of warmth straight to the chest. I cover it with a smirk. “Careful, Maddie. I might start thinking you like me.”
“Don’t get carried away, Karolak,” she fires back, but her eyes are dancing.
“Well, one thing’s for sure… you have to come to a game. Watching it live is an experience that will certify you as a full-fledged fan of this insanity.” I glance at the nightstand clock and sigh. “I gotta head out. Bus is loading.”
“Good luck tonight,” she says softly. “We’ll be cheering. Grayce has her game-day onesie on and everything.” She tips the phone to show the baby, who is indeed wearing a tiny Titans logo on her chest.
My throat tightens. “Perfect. Tell her I’ll score one for her.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “You’re starting her on some unrealistic expectations. She’ll want a goal from you every game now.”
“There are worse things to aspire to.” I grin.
Maddie laughs and lifts Grayce’s tiny hand in a wave before the video goes dark.
I stare at the black screen for a beat too long before slipping the phone into my pocket, grabbing my bag, and heading down to the bus.
I climb aboard, sliding into a seat next to Kace. He tips his chin in greeting. “Why do you have that goofy look on your face?”
Didn’t realize I was wearing one and resist the urge to reach up to touch the corners of my mouth. “Just got done FaceTiming with Grayce.”
He grins. “You’re hooked. I give it another week before you’re showing us baby pictures in the locker room.”
I snort. “Don’t hold your breath.” But I can’t hide the truth. “It’s… different. I’ve only been a dad for almost two weeks and already it feels like she’s always been here. Or rather, my life will be infinitely worse if she’s not.”
Kace tilts his head, curious. “That weird you out? I mean, going from zero to instant dad overnight?”
I shrug, eyes focused out the bus window. “Weird? Yeah. Hard? Absolutely. But not in the way I expected. It’s not the bottles or the diapers—it’s realizing how much I already give a damn. That part blindsided me.”
He studies me for a beat, then grins faintly. “Sounds like she’s got her hooks in you.”
“Yeah,” I admit quietly. “She does.”
Kace’s eyes ripple with an unrealized wisdom. “I’m sure that has everything to do with Gray. She’s the piece of him that you can keep close, so you never forget him.”
“Dude,” I drawl. “That’s fucking deep.” I pause a moment. “And accurate.”
“I’m wise that way,” he quips as the bus pulls from the curb.
The city slides by as I think about what Grayce is to me and I am to her. And for Grayce, for Maddie, for whatever this is we’re building—I want to show up.
CHAPTER 14
Maddie
I wake to the smell of coffee and the smallest, happiest squeal I’ve ever heard.
For a beat, I’m disoriented—shadows of a late-night dream slipping away—until the squeal comes again and I register the soft thump of footsteps below.
Atlas is back.
I sit up, hair in a mangled short ponytail, and squint at the digital clock: 7:11 a.m.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I stretch my back. I didn’t hear Atlas come in last night and, judging by the sunshine peeking through the blinds, I didn’t hear Grayce wake up either. The realization lands with an unexpected swell of giddiness.