I glanced up at Skelly. “Hey, can you watch him?” I pointed to Liv. “We need to go now.”
Skelly picked up Mic, propping him up on his shoulder. “You wanna hang with me for a bit, kid?”
Mic’s jubilant expression was all the answer I needed before rushing out the back door and helping Liv up into my truck.
I drove as fast as I could as my wife screamed in pain in the passenger’s seat.
“Just breathe, babe. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Hurry!” She wailed threw gritted teeth, her eyes slammed shut.
I pulled into the hospital, leaving the truck running and rushing to her side.
“Sir!” a cop yelled from behind me as I practically carried Liv into the emergency room.
“She’s in labor. Tow it for all I care.”
Within minutes, we were in a labor and delivery room and the attending was doing an ultrasound. “You’re having this baby today.”
Liv shook her head. “It’s too early.”
The doctor glanced at the chart. “Only two weeks early. Your little girl is ready to see the world, and everything should be perfectly fine.” She beamed down at my wife.
I took Liv’s hand. “I am going to call Skelly and have him bring Mic here.”
Olive nodded. “I’ll be here.”
After calling Skelly and sending a quick text to Myla, I was back at Olive’s bedside.
“Why the fuck did I let you knock me up again?” she snarled as a contraction came on strong. “Remind me of this moment if I ever get baby fever again.”
I kissed her forehead. “Deal.”
Before we could even register what was happening, Myla, Gavin, Brayden, Karla, Jordan, Shaw, Simon, and Crosby were all piling into the room.
“What the fuck? No!” Liv screamed, and Myla went to her.
“Remember what you said to me while I was in labor for ten hours with everyone in my room?” Myla had her hands on her hips, and the amount of sass that could come from such a tiny body was astounding to me.
“That we were family and family went through everything together, for better or for worse.” Liv grunted. “Fine.”
Twelve hours later, with everyone sleeping in the waiting room, Liv and I welcomed our new bundle of joy, Rhonda, into the world.
I snuck out of the room once Liv was finally asleep with our newborn snuggled up in her arms. Mic was curled up in a chair next to his cousin, Raven.
“Want to see your sister?” I asked my sleepy son as I scooped him up into my arms.
With balled fists, he rubbed both of his eyes. “She’s here?” he whispered.
“We have to be quiet. Mommy and Sissy are sleeping.”
We leaned over the bed and I watched Mic’s face as it lit up. “Daddy, she’s so tiny. Was I ever that tiny?”
He rested his head on my chest, listening to my heart beat. “You were that tiny once upon a time.”
“She’s pretty,” he cooed as his chubby cheeks dusted with blush.
“It’s going to be your job as her big brother to always be there for her. We’re family, and that’s what family does,” I whispered.
“We have lots of family, Daddy. It’s big. She has lots of protectors.”
I hugged him tighter, sitting us down in the rocking chair in the corner of the room. “You’re right, and we are all family because we love each other.”
“No matter what.” His sweet voice made my smile widen.
“I love you, Mickey.”
He nestled his cheek against my chest as he yawned. “I love you, too, Dad.”
I rocked my son to sleep as I watched the woman I loved cradle our little girl in her arms. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked up and whispered, “Thank you, Mic. None of this would have ever happened without you.”
The End.
Bonus Chapter: Low Blow
I took a deep breath as I tied my bowtie for the seventh time.
“Here, let me do it.” Gavin grabbed the end of the black sink and started to fix my terrible job.
My hands and voice were shaking. “Thanks.”
“You ready for this, little bro?” he asked as he checked out his handy work.
I nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Sean glanced up at the clock on the wall. “I think it about time for a toast and then it’s show time.”
The three of us took our flasks of whiskey out of our breast pocket and held them in the air.
“To the first day of the rest of your life!” Gavin yelled and we all drank.
“You boys ready?” Dad tapped on the door, looking dapper in his tux.
“Aye, Coach.” Gavin winked at me as he answered our father.
“Knock it off, Gavin.” Our mother rushed in, waving off Gavin’s attempt at being funny.
Grabbing my lapel, she straightened the light purple flower before kissing me the cheek. “I am just so happy for you, Griffin.”
I hugged her boney body for a few seconds. “Love you, mom.”
“Let’s get you hitched.” Gavin put his hand on my shoulder as we all made our way to the hall where everyone was waiting.
Taking my place up at the front next to an ancient officiant, my nerves really started to get the better of me.
Looking over my shoulder, I remarked, “Now I know why you did your wedding before a game like you did. This shit is nerve wracking as all hell.”
Gavin shrugged. “That shit was scary as hell, at least you know for a fact that Liv wants to marry you. I had a fifty-fifty shot with Myla.”
Right then, the organist started playing and my world stopped. The doors opened and there Liv was standing arm in arm with Shaw. As they started to walk down the aisle, I tried to mesmerize the way Liv’s hair was swept over one shoulder with long flowing curls, how the satin fabric hugged her hips as she walked, how her lips were a light pink and her makeup was understated but stunning, how her eyes lit up as they met mine. She was stunning.
The beginning of the ceremony went by in a flash and before I knew it, it was time for us to say our vows and exchange rings.
Liv cleared her throat, then giggle, “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.”
I squeezed her hand a little tighter. “You got this, babe,” I whispered.
“Here goes nothing.” She took a deep breath and captivated the room. “Griffin, I choose you. To always stand by your side and forever sleep in your arms. To be joy to your life and food for your soul. To learn with you and grow with you, even as time and life change us both. I promise to laugh with you in good times and struggle alongside you in bad times. I promise to never go to another one of your fights and always be waiting for you at home with an ice pack and tons of massages. I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal, knowing that we do not complete, but complement each other. May we have many adventures and grow old together.”
There was not a dry eye in the entire hall. Griffin tapped me on the shoulder, handing me a tissue just in the nick of time. As I wiped my damp face, I smiled at my bride. “How the hell am I supposed to follow that?”
Everyone laughed as I pulled out the piece of paper that had my typed vows on them. Glancing from the page, back up to Liv, I folded the paper and put it back in my pocket over my heart where they belonged.
I turned to our guest, “You all might know, but for even the one that is in here that might not, Olive is the love of my life.” I turned back to her, putting my hand on her cheek, “And she deserves words spoken from the heart, not premediated like that ones I was about to read for all of you.”
I licked my lips, took a few seconds and then dove into the depths of my soul. “Liv, I have been fighting for this moment my entire life. I just didn’t know it until I held your hand for the first time. I had no idea that someone so important was missing until I heard you laugh. The moment I saw you for the first time, covered in grease wearing an Ollie is my Homeboy shirt, I knew that you were meant to be mine.
I promise to always protect you, fight for you, love you, listen to you, and I will never break your heart. I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I vow to love you, encourage you, trust you, and respect you. Today, I choose you to be my wife, even though that choice was made when you first put your hand on my chest. I accept you as you are, and I offer myself in return. I will care for you, stand beside you, and share with you all of life’s adversities and all of its joys from this day forward, and all the days of my life.”
I turned back to the crowd, “I know this is drawn out, but there is just one last thing I have to say. Olive’s father could not be here today. But, it is because of him that I am able to stand her and marry his daughter. You see, when I was sixteen I had to have a heart transplant. That same day, Liv’s father was in a terrible accident. His heart beats in my chest. It was the compass that led me to the love of my life and the beginning of my future. If that is not fate, I do not know what is.”
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Those were the only words I could remember the officiant saying, but they were the most important.
I scooped Liv into my arms, kissing her like it was the last kiss in existence.
Cherry Picked
A Yeah, Baby & Shots On Goal Crossover
by Kristen Hope Mazzola
#1 Best Seller in Kindle Worlds: Contemporary
One chance encounter - that's all it took.
Nikki Jennings is dancing her way into the big time. She has gone from a shy, small town girl to a New York City Ballet star. She had everything to offer the world and she was taking it by storm.
Chase Harding is a cocky jock that has always gotten exactly what he's wanted. Most recently, the rookie spot on his dream hockey team. He has everything he could ever want until he meets Nikki. She won't give him the time of day. He won't take no for an answer.
Will Chase be able to score the v-card of his latest prospect or is he going to shoot and miss for the first time in his life?
Note: Cherry Picked is part of Fiona Davenport’s Passion, Vows & Babies Kindle World. Since it is part of a Kindle World, Cherry Picked is unable to be apart of this boxset. It is a standalone in the Shots On Goal Series.
With that being said, I hope you enjoy Chase and Nikki’s bonus chapter!
- Kristen
Grab your copy here.
Bonus Chapter: Cherry Picked
I sank to the floor of the shower. My knee was swelling again, my back was screaming in pain, and my elbow felt like it was on fire. I had been thrown into the boards over and over the entire game and I was thankful to be in the hotel room finally tending to my aching body.
Being one of the youngest guys on the team made it hard to complain about being sore or torn up – the other guys had dealt with worse and for way longer than me. I could still hear Cox scoffing at me, “Suck it up, buttercup,” as I wrapped my elbow after the second period.
“Harding, ya got a visitor,” Crosby called into the bathroom.
“Tell who ever the fuck it is to go fuck themselves, I am not leaving this shower until this hotel runs out of hot water,” I yelled through the shut door.
“Wrong answer,” I heard my wife’s sweet voice giggle as she started to open the door to the large bathroom.
“Nik! What in the world are you doing in Chicago? Who has the kids?” I wanted to get up to greet her, but my knee was protesting.
“Your sister has the weekend off. She took them. It’s been way too long since I have surprised you. And, before you ask, yes, Crosby is already heading to another room so we can be alone.”
“Have I told you lately, that you’re amazing?” I watched as Nikki stripped out her yoga pants and sweater.
“It’s still nice to hear it all of the time.” She winked, pulling her hair up into a ponytail. “Got some room in there for me too?”
Being six-foot-three and bulky, I took up most of the shower floor but my little ballerina was just the right size to sit on my lap. I patted my thigh, smiling up at her. “There’s always room for you, babe.”
She sank down on my lap, kissing me gently. “I saw the game. You all right?”
I sighed, I wasn’t going to be able to hide it from her. “I’m all sorts of banged up, Nik.”
With her arms wrapped around my neck, she leaned her forehead onto mine. “Then, I am glad I am here to make you feel better.”
Our lips brushed together, before I pulled her petite body closer to mine. “Sorry this isn’t going to be more fun for you, babe. I can barely move my leg and I have to be right as rain for tomorrow’s game.”
“How about I order some room service, find a movie on TV and get some of that hot cream stuff on you before your muscles tighten up.”
“How’d I get this lucky?”
She jumped to her feet, grabbing a towel as she hopped out of the steamy shower. “It all started with a book.” With a wink, she ducked out of the bathroom to order me a steak and find some stupid comedy to distract me from the pain.
I loved the way that Nikki and I met and being reminded of it. That day in the coffee shop, I took the best leap of faith of my life and I was still shocked that I had the balls to even walk up to Nikki. Even after all of these years, I still was beyond grateful to my younger self for grabbing her hand and not worrying about rejection.
We scarfed down New York strips and roasted potatoes while watching Anchor Man. After Nikki rubbed the orange miracle goo all over my body, I passed out instantly.
In the middle of the night, I woke up with Nikki on the other side of the bed with the entire comforter cocooned around her body.
Rolling over, I gently started to unravel her from the blanket fortress she had created.
She moaned, trying to push me away in her sleep.
“Babe, you have to share,” I whispered, trying my best to not completely wake her up.
Too late.
“You better be waking me up for a better reason than to steal the covers,” she complained with a yawn.
Finally, I had her unraveled enough to feel her warm, smooth skin. Even with aching muscles, desire took over.
“What do you want, baby?” I asked, pulling her thong to the side and rolling my fingertips over her slick opening.
“Just you, Chase.” She murmured.
Teasing her clit, I rubbed and plucked at her sensitive skin. Rolling her onto her stomach, I wrapped one arm around her slender throat to gently apply pressure as she gasped from just my light playing.
With two fingers, I explored her wetness as her desire pooled in my hand. I loved feeling her shake from my hands. Even after all this time, Nikki still melted at my touch – it was intoxicating.
She gasped as she wrapped her hands in the sheets.
“Come for me, Nik. I want you to drench my fingers.” I commanded.
Her eyes slammed shut as she cried, “Oh, fuck! Chase!”
Nikki’s entire body tensed as I pulled her hard into my chest and finger fucked her into euphoria.
Without even letting her come down from her high, I pulled my boxers down to my knees, pushed her down onto the bed and thrust into her throbbing cunt. My knee was screaming as I push pressure on it to position myself over her, my back was tensing with every thrust, my arm was shaking as I pulled on her hair – it was all worth it.
I was always in pain, I was always sore, it was never going to keep me from making love to my wife. Being a ballerina, she was in the same boat half of the time, but we learned early on the passionate intimacy was important for both of us.
“I love you, Nikki,” I growled in her ear as I thrust hard and deep into her pussy.
As she cried out, a smile pulled at the sided of her lips.
I loved watching her eyes flutter, her smile wide, her breath hitch. Those were my undoing. Yes, the feeling of fucking her was incredible, but that wasn’t what did it for me. It wasn’t how amazing her body was even after have three children, it wasn’t how soft her ski
n was, how tight her pussy was, or how good she was in bed – all of those things were nice, don’t get me wrong. But, it was how much she enjoyed me and how much she showed it. It was written on her face, laced in her tone, exploding from her touch.
Right as she reached back and drug her nails into my shoulder, I was a goner. I rocked my hips hard into her as I filled her.
“Chase, holy fuck,” she panted, rolling over to kiss me.
“Get some sleep.” I kissed her back, pulling the covers up over her again.
Grabbing a towel from the floor, dove under the blanket to clean her up before doing the same for me.
“Thanks,” she mumbled as her eyes fluttered shut.
“Are you glad you came up?” I asked, tucking her into my side.
“Glad would be a total understatement.”
Playoff Beard
A Shots On Goal Standalone
By Kristen Hope Mazzola
Dedication
To the real-life Jordan Bates:
You’re a brilliant spark of joy, love and kindness.
Never let your fire burn out.
“Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together”
― Marilyn Monroe
Prologue
Crosby
“Fuck you! You’re a cheating whore!” I bellowed. I couldn’t believe my damn eyes. I mean, how could I? How could that be my fucking wife lying in a hospital bed holding a baby that was clearly not the fruit of my freaking loins.
Her eyes grew wide as her jaw hung open. She had never looked more pathetic to me than she did right then. She sat there staring at me while I paced around the hospital room flailing around the papers I had just found, having a complete tantrum.
The Shots On Goal Series Box Set Page 30
