by Mary Smith
“Alden!” Kace opens the door and comes running to me. “Are you really going to Chuck E. Cheese’s with us?”
Of course that’s where we are going. “I am, Buddy. Are you and your mom ready?”
“She’s still fixing her hair and makeup.” He rolls his eyes while shaking his head.
“Girls are always late because of hair and makeup.” I chuckle.
“Stop bashing females,” Baylor says coming to the porch and locking the door. “Are you ready for the fun of pizza, games, and screaming kids?”
“Let’s do this.” I open the car door for Baylor as Kace jumps in the back. “You look stunning.” She’s in black skinny jeans and a form fitting sweater and a leather jacket. Her black hair falls down her back in soft waves. Her makeup isn’t heavy, and I like her natural look.
Kace tells me all about his day at school and hockey practice. He sounds extremely smart. His first game is coming up soon and he asks if I’ll be there.
“Honestly, I’m not sure, but if I’m free I promise to be there.”
“See why can’t my dad say it that way?” Kace sighs.
“Kace. Son. He’ll text soon.” Baylor is defending the deadbeat ass.
“I doubt it.” He mumbles softly.
“What position is Coach Hank going to play you?” Changing the topic seems like a brilliant idea right now.
“Left wing. Just like you.” His enthusiastic voice is back.
“It’s the best position ever.”
“Yes. I’m happy with it.” He continues.
Kace talks about his new friends as well. This makes me happier with my decision of getting him on the Cubs team.
The kids play place is packed to the brim. We actually have to wait for a table. Anywhere else I could have gotten us a table without question. Apparently, my reputation ends at Chuck E. Cheese’s. Who knew?
To pass the time I ask Baylor about work. Like Kace, she goes into details of the ins and outs of her shop and her new artists. You can tell from her tone how proud she is of her work and place.
We’re finally seated at a sticky table. I desperately want alcohol but I’m certain the hardest drink they have here is Coke with a lime. We go through what we do and don’t like on our pizza. Surprisingly, it’s easy to order.
“Alden, you want to play games?” He has the hopeful look again.
“Sure.” We stand, but Baylor remains seated.
“You two go ahead.” She waves us on.
“Come on, Alden. We can play air hockey.” He tugs on my hand.
I can’t say no to him and his excitement. We hit the air hockey table first, and I let Kace win. Then we play a couple racing games. I won one and Kace the other. Next is pinball, which I suck at. Probably, why I’m not a goalie. Kace is as bad as me.
We go back to the table just in time for the pizza to arrive. We comment on the pizza and drinks before Kace asks me about my road games.
“We only lost one out of three.”
“You scored in every one. You’re only three games away.” He reminds me.
“Three games for what?” Baylor looks between us.
“Until he beats the record,” Kace proudly says.
“Sorry, I don’t understand.” Baylor stares at me in confusion.
“There’s records for everything in the PHL. The one Kace is mentioning is where a player scores in a number of straight games. Right now I’m at twenty-five straight games. The record is twenty-seven.” I explain.
“Oh so you’re three games from the record of twenty-eight.” Baylor nods in understanding.
“It’s a huge deal, Mom.” Kace defends.
“I’m not saying it isn’t, son.” She pats his back. “I hope he breaks the record as well.”
He gasps and turns to me. “If you do, we should celebrate.”
“We can.” I promise.
“And are you still going skating with me?”
This kid remembers everything. “Yes. Thursday would be great for me.”
“He can do Thursday.” Baylor confirms.
We go back to eating. Baylor and Kace play a couple of games. I watch them closely. Kace loves his mom. You can see it in his actions. It reminds me of Mom. I have the deepest love and respect.
“Alden, it’s time to go. I have school in the morning,” Kace says when he comes back to the table.
“I’m ready.” I left the tip on the table and hold Kace’s hand as we walk out to the car.
The drive home is quiet. As I glance back Kace is slumped over. “He’s asleep.”
“I figured.” She keeps her voice low. “He’s been talking about this all day.”
“Did you have fun?” I’m fighting the urge of putting my hand high on her thigh, so I squeeze the steering wheel tighter.
“I did. Kace and I usually don’t go out to eat. I like to cook or we go to my aunt’s house.”
“You have family here?”
“Just my aunt.”
“Are your parents passed on?” She’s never mentioned them or any family.
“As far as I know they’re still alive.” Her monotone voice makes me feel there’s no love loss there.
“Not close, eh?”
“My parents are professors at Ohio State University. They’re highly respected. So when their fifteen year old daughter started hanging out at a tattoo parlor and then got pregnant, they shipped her here to live with her aunt.”
I pull into her driveway. “Are you kidding me? That’s horrible.”
She shrugs. “I survived. Kace is my priority.”
“You’re a good mother.” I praise her.
“Thank you.” She shyly smiles.
“Let’s get him to bed.” I get out and carry him into the house.
Baylor’s place is a home of a minimalist person. In the living room, there’s a couch, an overstuffed chair, a tiny entertainment stand, and an even smaller TV mounted on the wall. That’s it. Nothing more. I follow Baylor down a small hallway to Kace’s room.
His room is a shrine to sports, especially the Bears. There’s posters of me and my teammates on the wall. He has our bed sheets as well. I gently lay him in down as Baylor takes off his shoes and together we cover him up.
“Never ended a date like this.” I comment as we walk back to the front door.
“Really? I figured this is how you ended all of them.” She jokes.
“Ha. Ha.” I smirk.
“Did you have a good time?”
“I’ve never been to a Chuck E. Cheese’s, but it was a good time.” It hasn’t been the worst time I ever had.
“I’m glad. Have a good night, Alden.”
“You too, Baylor.” I kiss her cheek and head to my car.
I’m going to have to jack off double tonight.
Chapter Six
Baylor
DESTINY, STARLIGHT, AND Mags are all staring at me. I told them about my night with Alden and Kace. They are all in shock.
“Let me get this straight.” Destiny leans in. “You got the biggest player and hottest man I’ve ever seen to take you and your son to Chuck E. Cheese’s.”
I nod.
“I think I love you.” She hugs me. “Show me your ways, Yoda.”
We all laugh as I push her away. “Alden is a nice guy.”
“How is he in bed?” Starlight asks. I had let slip about Alden and me, but I didn’t go into any details. “He’s good.” Hopefully a vague answer will be enough.
“You’re lying. Which means he’s amazing or he sucks.”
Before the girls could interrogate me some more, someone walks into the shop. “Welcome to Ink Palace.” I call out coming around the corner.
“Hi, Baylor.” Amara smiles.
“Amara.” I greet her with a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I was wondering if we could discuss my tattoo.”
“Sure. Come back to my station.” I wave her through. “Girls, this is Amara. She’s Alden’s sister.” I introduce Amara to ev
eryone. “Have a seat.” I point to the chair in my station.
“I wasn’t sure how to start this process.” She opens her tote purse and pulls out a post-it pad. “I wrote down some things I like.”
“How big are you thinking?”
“A half-sleeve on my upper right arm.”
“Sounds good. Let’s see the list.”
She hands me the post-it. I glance over it. Books, cooking, nursing, Alden and her mother’s names, hockey, Canada, and…a leukemia ribbon.
“Why leukemia?” Maybe a family member passed on because of it?
“I had acute myelogenous leukemia as a child. I was quite sick. I was sixteen when I finally went into remission.”
“Oh, Amara.” She had said at dinner that Alden was there for her when she was sick. I thought she meant the flu or something less scary than cancer.
“I’m okay now.” She pats my hand.
“Alden was there for you.” It’s not a question – more of an observation.
“He hardly left my side,” she proudly says. “He’s the best brother ever.”
I smile. “Are you thinking color or black and gray?” I change the topic of Alden to something I can concentrate on.
“I’m thinking black and gray with pops of color.”
I grab my book and flip open to a tattoo I did a couple of years ago. It was roses with a lace background. It has color and black and gray. I mainly do color but black and grays are my second favorite to do.
“I love it.”
“When do you want to do it?”
“I’m turning twenty-one next month. Is that enough time for you? I don’t want to rush you.”
“That’s more than enough time.” I grab my paper and quickly draw out her upper arm. I try to get a measurement to see what I’m working with. I keep her list and my notes.
“Thank you, Baylor. I need to go. I have a job interview.”
“Huh?” I assumed she didn’t have to work.
“My clinicals are almost over and I hate relying on Alden. He’d never take any money from me, but I need to pay my own way.”
“It’s nice he takes care of you.” It is. “Where’s your interview?” She tells me at a small bistro. She doesn’t sound thrilled about it. “Um…Amara, would you like to work here?”
She blinks at me as if there’s something in her eye. “Really? I’m not an artist.”
“Oh no.” I shake my head. “I need a receptionist. Someone to take appointments and answer phones, things like that. Maybe run a broom and mop every once in a while.”
Amara jumps off the chair and hugs me. “Oh my God! Thank you!”
“Don’t thank me too much. I can only pay minimum wage.”
“It’s perfect.” She holds me tighter. “You don’t even know how much I need this.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“When do you want me to start?” She releases me and steps back.
“How about tomorrow?”
“I have clinicals in the morning, may I come over after?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Amara hugs me again before she practically skips out of the shop. I know the girls will get along with her like I do. She’s a good person and hearing her childhood tragedy makes me like her even more. I go back to work since I have clients all day today and I love it.
AS I’M RUSHING Kace into hockey practice my phone dings. It’s an email from INK America. I had checked Alden’s schedule and made sure he was in town for the shoot. Actually, the entire thing is because of him. I don’t think it’s only because of my work. Maybe some of it. As Kace heads to the locker room to change I email them back and confirm the date and time.
Alden: When’s our next date?
I can’t help the smile on my face from seeing his text. He wants to go out again.
Me: INK America confirmed the date of the shoot.
Alden: Not the answer I’m looking for, but I’ll be sure to add it to my schedule.
Me: Aren’t you taking Kace skating tomorrow?
Alden: Yes. Come along and we can make a date of it.
Me: I can’t skate.
Alden: I’ll teach you.
I’m certain he can teach me a lot of things.
Me: Fine.
I see no point in arguing because, between him and Kace, I’ll lose either way. Hell, I originally figured Alden would turn me down when I suggested the family friendly date. I had no clue he’d say yes.
I watch Kace’s practice and when he’s done we go home. The crockpot is waiting for us with a full meal of chicken and rice. We work on his homework, then he’s asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. My exhaustion is catching up to me as I finish some quarterly paperwork. I’m on my way to bed when the buzzing of my cell phone interrupts me.
Rocco: I want to see Kace tomorrow.
I sigh. He has the worst timing ever.
Me: He can’t see you tomorrow.
Rocco: Are you trying to keep him from me?
Me: No. He has school and hockey practice.
Rocco: Why is my son playing some pussy sport?
I roll my eyes. He’s is such an ass.
Me: He’s very good. He can’t miss any practices either. What about this weekend?
Rocco: I’m in Buffalo at a convention. I’ll see if I have the time.
“Figures.” I mumble and put my phone on the nightstand. I’m not going to tell Kace until Rocco is certain he’s coming.
If he comes.
AMARA COMES IN right after her clinicals. The girls welcome her with open arms. I show her how to work the phones and take appointments with our book. It’s simple and she catches on quickly. Although, it’s not rocket science.
“Amara, seeing anyone special? Or are you a single chick who enjoys being single?” Starlight inquires.
“Single but sort of talking to someone.” Amara blushes.
“Ooohhh…” Destiny rolls over to the counter on her stool. “Tell us all about it.”
“He’s just a guy.” Amara shrugs.
“That means he’s hot.” Starlight joins in. “We need details.”
“Well…” Amara pauses. “We’re just flirting back and forth. He’s a friend of my brothers.”
I gasp. “Oh my God, is he a Bear?” Now I want to know.
“Yes.” Amara confirms.
“Who? Who?” Now we’ve all gathered around her like a bunch of high school girls talking about a school crush.
“I don’t want to say.” She shyly lowers her head.
“Spill it.” Mags pushes lightly on her shoulder. “We won’t tell.”
Amara sighs. “Nathan Paxton.”
“The goalie?” I think he’s a goalie if he’s the one on Kace’s poster.
“Yes.” She confirms.
“Does Alden know?” Destiny questions. It’s something I want to know as well.
“Hell no.” Amara shakes her head. “He’d kick Nathan’s ass and stop speaking to me.”
“Why?” I can’t imagine Alden being upset by such a small thing.
“Alden doesn’t believe I should date teammates.” Amara explains.
“Really? I’d think it would be better to know ‘em. He could keep tabs on ‘em.” Mags puts in her opinion.
“It doesn’t matter. Nathan knows we can’t date. I just like the attention. I’ve not had many boyfriends in my life.”
We could have sat there all day talking to Amara about her love life but clients began to come in for appointments. Amara got right to work and is a dream at it.
It’s all looking up.
KACE IS BOUNCING around me again. For the life of me, I can’t figure out where he gets his energy. It seems he’s constantly running. Today he’s at a whole new level since receiving good news from Coach Hank at practice.
“I can’t wait to tell Alden.”
“He’ll be very proud of you.” I ruffle his hair as I park the car outside the Bears arena.
“Can you believe I get to skat
e here?” Kace’s eyes are wide.
“I’m not sure how Alden pulled this off.” I mumble. He probably flirted his way to get access to the Bears ice rink.
Kace carries his skates over his shoulder and his two sticks. The smile is still bright on his face. I love he’s happy again. I’ve not mentioned a word about Rocco texting. I don’t want to ruin his day.
We give our names to the security guard who escorts us to the Bears locker room. He knocks on the door and Alden opens it.
“Hey, guys, come on in.” He waves us in.
“Oh wow.” Kace gasps.
I mirror his expression as I stare at the locker room. There’s no jerseys or equipment hanging but the stalls are a deep brown stain and the floor a dark yellow. The Bears logo is in the middle of it all.
“Over here is where you can lace up, bro.” Alden sits him next to his stall. “Baylor, you’re here.” He pats the stall on the other side of him.
“She doesn’t have skates.” Kace informs him.
“That’s okay.” Alden stands and pulls a box from his top cubby. “I got you some to wear.” He hands me the box.
“How did you know my size?” I open it up and a pair of black hockey skates stare back at me.
“Trust me, they’ll fit.” He winks, and I feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. He said the exact statement when we had sex. I really didn’t think he’d fit.
“Thank you.” I begin to put the skates on.
Since I’ve never skated before I’m quite wobbly when I stand up. Alden has to hold my hand as Kace leads us toward the tunnel and out to the ice. The majority of the lights are off, except the rink itself. Kace and Alden jump on the ice without any issues. On the other hand, I just stand by the door.
“Come on, Mom.” He waves me out but I don’t move.
Alden comes back over to me and holds out his hand. “I’ve got you.”
“I’m going to fall.”
“You might, but then I’ll help you get back up and kiss your boo-boos.” His sexy smirk isn’t helping my already knocking knees.
I put one skate on the ice and then the other. I hold Alden’s hand tighter than ever before. I might even break it.
“Walk. Just walk,” Alden tells me.
I pick up my feet and then set them back down.
