When a voice other than Ali’s answered the phone, he immediately pulled it from his ear to make sure he had hit the correct contact.
“K-man, it’s Dom.”
“Dom, why are you answering my g—I mean Ali’s phone? Where is she? Is she okay? Is the b—”
“Woah, slow it down. Yes. Ali is fine. She’s at our place. Which is why I’m answering her phone. She’s finally asleep, and so is Hailee.”
What? “Why is she there?” Confusion didn’t feel any better than the worry and terror that something bad had happened to her.
“Dude, chill. I told you she’s fine. She got sick at the game, and then it got worse. Which is why she didn’t come back to her seat. Hailee went to go check on her and she was pretty bad off. Since they had Ali’s car, Hailee brought her back here and made her lie down. We think it’s just the morning sickness; she’ll be fine. I should ask how you are.”
His head was spinning, trying to comprehend it all. But what was important was that she was fine. “I’m good. Better now that I know she’s okay.” I’d be even better if I got to talk to her. “I’ll let you go.”
“Kaden,” Dom said, keeping from him from hanging up. “I know where we are in the standings; it blows. Sure I’m pissed off. Don’t get too down, you got bigger things to worry about, okay bro?”
“I know… later.” Yeah, the loss pissed him off. They could’ve and should’ve won that. But Ali was what was on his mind at the moment.
I wish I could’ve talked to her. Looking at his cell phone and her contact photo, he typed a text message.
Kaden: Ali, just wanted to make sure you were okay. Please let me know if you need anything. I’m here.
Not expecting an answer to his message, he just wanted to let her know he was worried about her and the baby. Because he was. Letting her know he was worrying somehow validated his feelings. Deep down he hoped she’d answer, but it never happened. The fact that hurt the most, was that another man, even if it was Dom, was there when she needed comfort and to be taken care of. It should’ve been him.
She wasn’t the only thing on his mind; he also worried about his mom. He sent a second text to his mom. It was late, and he was afraid she would be sleeping, or he would’ve just called.
Kaden: Hey Mom. Just checking in to see how you’re feeling.
Mom: I’m doing fine, hon. Are you?
She saw the game. Of course his mom watched; she always does. And more than likely, the cameras showed both of his meltdowns. Not the publicity that he needed.
Kaden: Hanging in there. Trying to unwind so I can get some sleep. Rough night, you know?
Mom: Oh I know. I saw. What are you down, two sticks now?
Kaden: No worries, Ma, I can afford two new ones. LOL.
Mom: But you’re okay?
Kaden: Yeah, just need to get out of my own head, and I’ll be fine.
Mom: I know. I’m here if you need me. Love you.
Kaden: Thanks Mom, love you too. Goodnight.
Beer seemed like the only way he was going to get out of his own head and get any sleep now. No watching game highlights tonight. He put on a rerun comedy and got comfy on the couch. After a few beers, he didn’t remember much more.
* * * *
Music blared from the speakers of Kaden’s sports car as he pulled into his space in the Rivers Arena parking garage for an early team meeting and locker clean out. The heavy beat of rock spoke to his soul and soothed over his moodiness of the morning.
Last night’s bad game still rattled around his brain, every bad move he made playing over and over again. A terrible night’s sleep, after passing out on the couch, led to achy muscles and a miserable attitude in the morning. Add in his head being clouded with too many worries, images of Ali spinning around in it.
Music was always a good release. It was something he could get lost in, for the moment. His mind focused on the lyrics, and his soul got lost in the rhythm. But once the music was off and his door opened, it was back to reality.
“Music loud enough, O’Conner?” Tyler commented as he slammed his car door shut.
Kris and Pat were standing around waiting for him. Sam locked up his truck before joining them. One of the younger guys, Luc, just pulled into the space next to him, in his new sporty matte-black Porsche. His music was as loud as Kaden’s.
Kaden shrugged at Tyler’s comment.
“K-man, what are you listening to in there?” Tyler asked.
“Rock. What else? When I’m in my car, and it’s just me and my music, nothing else matters.” Somedays I need that more than others. “And the louder, the better.”
“Rock? You still listen to that?”
“Yeah, of course. Why? What do you listen to?” Kaden frowned, taken aback at the odd question.
Tyler shrugged as they walked to where Kris and Pat waited with Sam. “I don’t know, nothing special. Normally I listen to whatever Paige has on. It’s usually the current popular stuff. She’s pretty much in charge of the car radio, so...”
“And when she’s not in the car with you?”
“I guess I just leave on what she last had on.” Tyler rubbed at his jawline as if he was thinking, but quickly shook it off.
“Really? That’s sad.” Tyler was still in the honeymoon stage with Paige. Of course he listens to what she listens to, but ordinarily that’s just not normal. “What about you guys?”
Kris looked over with a look of confusion wrinkled on his face. “What about us?”
“What kind of music do you listen to while driving?” Kaden asked, fairly sure he would get answers all similar to his own.
“That’s easy,” Sam said. “Rap. Tri and I both like it. But we keep it a little more low key with Willow around.”
“So, surfer boy, Trina, and surfer baby like rap. What about the rest of you?”
“Music?” Pat laughed. “Gia pretty much listens to books on tape, like all the time. And I’m man enough to say that some of those romances get pretty interesting… if you know what I mean.” Pat winked and smirked.
“Kris, help me out man… Tell me you and Kat don’t listen to books in the car?”
“Kat likes the mainstream music, like Paige. Most of the stuff she listens to is fun and has a catchy tune. And it works when Ian is with us, seems to soothe him, and isn’t at all offensive.” He raised an eyebrow at Sam.
“Hey, I said we keep it low key with Willow in the car. Still rap, just not offensive. We leave that fun obnoxious music for when she’s not in the car.”
“What I’m hearing is, your women pick out the music that you listen to? Even when they aren’t in the car?” Kaden didn’t mean it like it came out: your women. “I mean, your wives. You know what I meant…”
Tyler slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s called love, O’Conner. Whatever keeps her smiling.”
“That’s the fun of being single, right Kaden?” Luc elbowed Kaden in the arm. “My car, my radio. If I’m driving, I’m listening to whatever I want. And my music of choice is good ol’ classic rock.”
“Yeah, but your car is your girl, so you don’t have much to worry about,” Sam teased.
Luc shrugged his shoulders and the side of his mouth turned up a bit. “Maybe. But my Porsche is a beauty, and the bunnies seem to like it, too.”
The guys teased Luc a little more on their way into the arena, but he didn’t seem fazed. Not only was Luc a good sport about it, but he seemed content with his chosen lifestyle. He liked the attention he got from the bunnies.
Kaden understood that feeling, but looking at Luc today, all he saw was something he didn’t want to go back to being. Despite the way these guys seemed to relinquish all of their man cards to their wives, he wanted that, too. He was done being like Luc, and almost envied the others.
Turning his attention back to Kaden, Tyler commented, more seriously this time. “Don’t worry, O’Conner. You’ll find that special someone who will control your car radio, too. If I had to guess, I’d say you a
lready have.” He did the guy head nod thing and jabbed Kaden with his arm.
Tyler was more right than he knew. Now that he was ready to settle down and make her his, he just needed to convince her of his commitment.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Alison
Finally home after a rough night and an even worse morning, Alison was still nauseated and slightly dizzy because she hadn’t been able to hold anything down since eating the pork nachos and cotton candy last night. Ugh. Just the thought of the food from the arena made her stomach flop. Her toast popped up, hot and slightly browned.
She groaned before taking a bite. “Mmm…dry toast. Delicious.” But at least it didn’t make her stomach worse.
The lingering smell of the burnt crumbs in the toaster weren’t as inviting. Hurrying out of the kitchen, she needed to escape that smell before the nausea started all over again. She couldn’t stand another round of it.
Curling up in her own bed, she burrowed into the soft, warm covers and turned on the television. She’d already told the girls that she wouldn’t be in today, that she’d be in bed if they needed her. Hailee had convinced her that that was the luxury of living upstairs from her shop. They rarely ever needed her, though. She had a good group of girls working for her.
The dry toast was unappetizing in every way, but she did her best to choke it all down. She would’ve preferred to not eat it at all and just go back to sleep, but she needed something in her belly. Plus, she was getting to the point where she had to be thinking about what it was she was eating, and what the baby was getting from it. She would have to start being concerned about that later, since dry toast wasn’t high on that list.
Tomorrow was Hailee’s wedding rehearsal dinner, and Ali would have to face Kaden soon enough. Thinking about how much her life had changed made her realize how much she really did miss him. Sure, avoiding him made missing him easier, but it didn’t change the fact that she still missed him.
Seeing him at the game last night confirmed that. If she hadn’t been so sick, she would’ve forced herself to sit there and watch him play, because in her heart she really wanted to.
Instead, she had spent most of the third period in the arena bathroom, sicker than she’d been in a while. Every time she tried to go back to her seat, her stomach would churn again. She was convinced that the aroma of food from the concession stands was making her stomach issues worse. Eventually, Hailee showed up and peeled her off the bathroom floor. With the help of some crackers and ginger ale, she had made it back to Hailee and Dom’s place without incident.
Dom filled her in on the outcome of the game this morning. Apparently, it wasn’t pretty. He left out the aftermath details, but she found the highlights online. In addition to one on-ice tantrum, Kaden seemed to have had a meltdown after the loss. The media made sure not to miss getting that on tape.
His post-game interview was even more heartbreaking. Normally funny and relaxed, Kaden was sullen, quiet, and almost seemed sad. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from his image. His sadness looked deep and very real, and her chest ached for him. Alison wanted nothing more than to be there for him.
She closed her eyes and laid her head on the soft pillow, but the room still felt as though it was spinning. Part of her missed her carefree days. She could eat and drink what she wanted, and more importantly, she and Kaden were happy.
Her mind flooded with memories of the good times they’d had. Hanging out at bars, ice skating, and the sexy sleepovers. How she missed the sleepovers. This pregnancy had taken her entire life, chewed it up, and spat it back out. Nothing was what it used to be.
When she drifted off to sleep, vivid dreams took over. Kaden starred in every one. He was his usual self. Kind, caring, and handsome. Everything she’d like in a father for their baby. Everything she’d like in a partner for her.
* * * *
Still affected by the dreams that filled her attempts at rest yesterday and throughout the night, Alison searched her closet for something to wear to the rehearsal dinner tonight.
Her once flat belly was now curved enough to be noticeable. Some of her favorite outfits no longer fitted right. Others made her baby bump too obvious. She wasn’t ready to be next to the center of attention; it was Hailee’s spotlight tonight and tomorrow.
Trying on a very stylish bohemian style dress, she liked that it fit perfectly in all of the right places, and her belly was unnoticeable. Chunky heels and a light sweater were the only accessories she needed. Today her stomach hadn’t been too unsettled; she considered it a good day.
But as she drove to the church, her belly grumbled in hunger. A few crackers that she had tucked away in her purse would have to do until dinner.
As she pulled up outside the church, the rumbling started again. It wasn’t hunger. She looked around the dark parking lot for Kaden’s car, but it wasn’t here. Everyone else seemed to be though; apparently, she was late. She might still be hungry, but the current state of her stomach was from nerves. Anxiety about seeing Kaden had her in knots.
Joining Hailee and Dom in the vestibule of the church, she eagerly searched the room, but no sign of Kaden.
“Thank you everyone for joining us tonight. I’ve been told that the best man can’t be here, but that’s okay,” the priest announced. “We’ll just be doing a quick walk through to make sure everyone knows what they need to do tomorrow. Then we’ll get you all off to dinner, which I know you’re looking forward to.” He chuckled, and a low hum of laughter filled the room.
No Kaden meant she was on her own at the altar. The priest showed everyone their places. He quickly ran through the ceremony in an abbreviated fashion, but all Alison could focus on was where Kaden should be standing.
They were in a beautiful church, and Hailee and Dom were madly in love, which was evident with every look they shared. Alison wasn’t nauseated or sick, and felt more relaxed than she had done in a while. The one thought that she kept coming back to, was that she missed Kaden.
Just as the priest promised, the rehearsal was over quickly, and it was time for everyone to meet at the restaurant for dinner. She flitted around from table to table, talking to folks and socializing.
“Well don’t you look wonderful tonight?” Hailee flung her arm around Ali. “I think you might just be glowing.”
Alison waved her off with a nervous giggle. “Shut up, I’m not. It’s called sweat.”
“No, for real. You look good. And hey, I wanted to tell you that I moved your seat over by Mia for dinner.” She pointed to the other end of the room.
“Oh, where was I supposed to be sitting?” She looked around the room that was now filling up with guests.
She pointed to a table close by. “At this table here with Kaden and a couple of Renegades and their dates. But since you guys… Well, I moved you over there.”
“But I thought Kaden wasn’t coming.” The relaxation and enjoyment she was finally feeling were hurriedly being taken over by pure anxiety, again.
“Just to the church. He had something he needed to do. But he’ll be here for dinner. Oh look,”—she waved to the doorway with a smirk—“he’s here now.”
“Excuse me…” Alison could hear Hailee talking behind her, but the acid that was churning in her stomach was quickly moving up to her throat, and she needed a bathroom, now.
Once safely locked in a powder room that was nicer than any bathroom she’d been in recently, she sat and took a few calming breaths.
A knock at the door was followed by Hailee’s soft voice. “Ali, you okay? I brought you something to help.”
Alison unlocked the door and let her friend in. “Ginger ale?”
Hailee held out the glass, and a few packs of crackers. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She shook her head as if she were trying to shake off her miserable feeling. “I really thought I was done with this morning sickness stuff.”
“Something tells me it’s not so much the morning sickness anymore. You know stress is just as
bad for you as the caffeine you’re avoiding.”
By stress, Hailee meant Ali’s reactions to Kaden. “Trust me, I know that.”
“I think you need to just talk to him, face-to-face. Not by text or email. You two need to deal with this. Talk about the baby, and get back together.”
“I love how you just slipped that in there.” But Hailee’s words stuck in her mind and made her heart flutter at the thought. They never actually broke up. She never gave him much of a chance to say anything. It’s about time that she did. “I agree. But not tonight.”
Hailee huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. I know better than to argue with you. You’ve sure gotten stubborn with this pregnancy. Jeez. But I’d rather you spend dinner out there than in here, so avoid him if you must. Just eat some real food. Okay?” She exited the room but then stuck her head back through the doorway. “See you out there.”
Sleeping on this seemed like the reasonable thing to do. I’ll give myself twelve hours to think over talking with Kaden. If I run out there right now and get stuck in his flirty smile, I’ll be done for. I have to go at this with a clear head. As she walked out of the bathroom and saw him across the room, reality hit her. That was easier said than done. His flirty grin was what always got to her.
Taking the long way around the room, carefully creeping between people and tables, making every effort to avoid Kaden, she finally made it to her place.
Hailee’s friend Mia sat there with some other folks that Alison didn’t know. “It’s about time you came over here. Have a seat. Hailee brought you a little plate of cookies and said you’d better eat them.”
“Of course she did.” Ali sunk into her chair. There were enough people between her and Kaden that hopefully he wouldn’t easily see her. The delicious looking cookies made her mouth water, and for a moment her stomach problems were gone. Especially after she’d eaten a few lady locks. Clearing her throat and wiping the powdered sugar off her face, she smiled. “So how have you been, Mia?”
SHOOTOUT SAVE (The Renegades Series Book 6) Page 15
