Bran sniffled. Then started crying again.
“Yeah, that doesn’t help right now. You’re really tired. Wrap your arms around my neck. Let’s walk for a bit.” Ford held Bran close, walking down the hall, leaving the game on as background noise. “You had a nanny before, right? Did she help you sleep?”
Bran shook his head, his bottom lip quivering as he looked over at Justina and Akira cleaning the kitchen.
“I bad. Made a mess.”
“Did you eat at all?” Ford frowned when Bran shook his head again. “Are you hungry?”
“No! I want Heath! I want Dominik! Tell them! Tell them!” Bran’s voice pitched to an ear shattering level. “Come home! They come home!”
“They can’t tonight, buddy. But they will soon.”
The little boy screamed and shook as he began to sob.
Ford rubbed his back as he paced up and down the hall. “I know. It’s hard when you have to let someone go. When you need them with you, but know you can’t have them.”
Akira set down her rag and looked over at Ford. She didn’t say a word, but Justina could see how sad she was. Ford was missing someone too, and Akira wanted to help him.
But she couldn’t. Any more than Ford could help Bran.
Justina bit her bottom lip. She’d seen her own little brother like this. They’d had babysitters, but mostly had just hung out, not doing anything special when either Justina or Chris had been upset.
Ford was trying. Akira had a good man.
But maybe Justina could give him some ideas. Stuff that had worked for her brother.
She approached Ford, holding her arms out. “Can I try?”
Bran held tight to Ford.
Ford gave her a helpless look. “Might not sound like it, but I think he likes me holding him.”
He was right. Justina hugged herself. “Okay, well, when my little brother got like this, I used to walk and sing to him. Maybe try that?”
“That’s a good idea.” Ford continued to walk up and down the hall. “Would you like that, kid? I don’t know any good songs, but people seem to like my singing. Want me to try one I know?”
The little boy sniffled and buried his face in Ford’s neck.
And Ford began to sing softly. At first, Justina didn’t recognize the song, though it sounded familiar. Ford had a really nice voice, and she couldn’t move as she listened to him. When he reached the chorus, she knew the song.
Mirrors, by Justin Timberlake. But slower, with deeper notes, giving the song a whole different feel. Bran calmed, listening to Ford. He relaxed in Ford’s arms and started sucking his thumb. Then drifted off to sleep.
Warmth at her side had Justina glancing over. Akira rested her head on her shoulder.
“It’s getting very difficult to convince myself not to give him a dozen babies.” Akira let out a happy sigh. “Damn, I love that man.”
Justina grinned and watched Ford carry Bran to his room. “You’re a lucky girl.”
“You’ll find someone, sweetie. I still think you should spend some time with Heath Ladd. He seems like a nice young man.”
“Are you still trying to convince me not to go to the club?”
“If you’re going there with any intention of spending time with Pisch? Absolutely.” Akira folded her arms over her small breasts, ignoring the heavy sigh Jami let out as she joined them. “If you’re into older guys, there’s always Hunt.”
“Who is what, a year older than her? Besides, he’s too moody.” Jami put on some coffee, sitting up on the counter and studying Justina thoughtfully as she sat at the table. “There’s always Cam.”
Sahara came into the kitchen, shaking her head and nudging Jami off the counter. “Cam is currently dating three different girls. We are not letting Justina become the forth.”
“You, of all people, know Pisch won’t get serious with anyone.” Akira frowned at Sahara. “Why aren’t you on my side on this?”
“Because Pisch has done a lot for me. He’s a good man.” Sahara looked around the now clean kitchen and smiled. “I appreciate this so much, you guys. Thank you for coming to the rescue.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“Yes, I am. I think Justina’s smart enough to make her own decisions. And I think you’re too set on people aiming for perfect relationships, because you’re in one now.” Sahara pulled out the chair beside Akira. “You were with Dominik for a bit, and you knew it was just for training.”
Biting her bottom lip, Justina looked from one girl to the other. She couldn’t believe they could discuss all this so casually. Wasn’t it weird to talk about guys they’d both been with?
Akira’s cheeks reddened. “That’s different. I was never in love with him.”
“But I was in love with Ford.” Jami began pouring the coffee, carrying the cups to the table, two at a time. “Of course, that was a bad time, but it was an experience. I think that’s what Sahara’s getting at. Whether Justina goes to the club and hits it off with Pisch, or Hunt, or whoever, it’s an experience she wants to have.”
“Ugh, fine! So long as he doesn’t break your heart.” Akira gave Justina a fiercely protective look. “Then I’ll have to hurt him.”
Steady footsteps sounded in the hall. Ford stood in the doorway, a slanted smile on his lips. “Who we hurting, Shorty? Should I get my sisters to set aside some bail money?”
Hopping up off her chair, Akira slid up to Ford and hugged him tight.
Sahara giggled, leaning close to Justina. “How much you want to bet she’s pregnant within the next month?”
Jami’s coffee mug hit the table hard. “Shit. I’m gonna be sick.”
Because of all the sappiness? Justina stood, watching with concern as Jami dashed across the room and disappeared into the hall. She clearly was going to be—was being—sick.
Ford sighed and went to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Well, this should be interesting.”
Both Akira and Sahara had gone after Jami, so Justina sipped her coffee, not sure what to say to Ford’s comment. She didn’t know him well, but after seeing him with Bran, she thought he was kinda awesome.
He was dating Akira and had been with Jami. She was curious about the history of the different people connected to the team. But asking a man she hardly knew for details on her new friends didn’t seem right.
Actually, there was nothing she could say that wouldn’t seem out of line. The girls would tell her what she needed to know.
Which meant all she could do was sit here, feeling out of place.
Taking Jami’s abandoned seat, Ford smiled at her, looking totally relaxed. “It’s nice to see you hanging out with my girl. I heard some of the trouble you had with the old manager. My sister speaks very highly of you.”
“Which one?” Probably Silver. Obviously Silver. Justina shook her head. “Never mind. I’m sorry, I’m not very good at conversation.”
“You’re doing just fine, kid. Silver’s very invested in the Ice Girls, and she sees you as the future of the squad. Do you think you’ll be with us for a few years?” He chuckled when she stared at him, nodding silently. “Good. You’ll likely be the captain eventually, but I’m hoping to have a few of the girls become part of the organization after they retire. If you’re interested in a position, I could help you take the classes you’d need. We need media relations, chorographers, trainers… I’m thinking it would be good to set up a scholarship.”
“I would love to be involved. I was hoping to help with Akira’s school when she sets it up, but I could do both. I’d be interested in being a trainer. Working with the girls…” She couldn’t believe Ford Delgado, the man who was in charge of the whole Cobra Ice Girls team, was considering her to work with them long term. “Just tell me what I need to do.”
“Exactly what you’ve been doing. I’ll have an application for you to fill out for the scholarship, but you have three letters of recommendation already. I just wanted to make sure you were interested.” Ford looked up as
Kimber slipped into the kitchen. “Hey, you.”
Kimber wrung her hands, looking from Justina to Ford, her bright pink hair hiding most of her face. “Is Jami going to be okay?”
“I think so.” Ford stood and went to the fridge, calling out over his shoulder. “Hungry?”
“A little.” Kimber hovered close to Justina. Then burst into tears. “I’m sorry for being a miserable bitch! Couldn’t be bothered just telling Sahara I miss my brother and Dominik. You can tell me to piss off if you want. I deserve it.”
The girl had a very thick Australian accent. One that made her words hard to understand, but Justina could tell she was very upset. So she stood and pulled Kimber into a gentle hug.
“We all get it. You’ve been through a lot, and you had a bad day. Let Ford make you something to eat and sit with me. I’m new to all this too.” Justina tugged a chair closer to hers then used her sleeve to dry Kimber’s tears as they sat, facing one another. “Do you take care of your brother a lot? I used to take care of mine all the time, and then I’d get so mad when no one else understood why I was stressed. Kids are hard!”
“Right? They are!” Kimber sniffed, muttering thanks when Ford handed her a napkin. “I used to have to take care of him on my own. Sahara helps a lot now, but…well, I was worried because he wasn’t eating. And she couldn’t fix it. But that’s not her fault.”
“You’re right. And you need to take it easy on her. But I’m sure she understands.”
“I hope so.”
“She does. Now come on, let’s go watch the rest of the game. The boys were doing pretty good when I was watching at home. I bet your brother scored!” Justina put her arm over Kimber’s shoulders as they headed for the living room. “I know it’s not the same as being there, but if they win this game, they’ll be playing here on Sunday. And we can see them up close!”
“They better win.” Kimber sat at her side on the sofa, groaning when Justina put the game on and they both saw the score. The Cobras were tied at two. With five minutes left. “Bloody hell, this doesn’t look good.”
“Five minutes is plenty of time for them to close the deal.”
Kimber shot her an amused look. “Guess they could give it a crack.”
When Ladd hit the ice, Kimber sat forward. She grabbed Justina’s hand when he took a hard check into the boards. Then covered her eyes when he spit a mouthful of blood onto the ice.
Ford stopped in the middle of the room, his jaw tense.
“Move!” Both Justina and Kimber yelled.
Shifting out of the way, Ford set the bowl of Spagetti-Os on the table for Kimber.
On screen, from out of nowhere, Pischlar nailed the player who’d blindsided Ladd. A legal check, but the other player didn’t take it well. He rammed the butt of his stick into Pischlar’s jaw.
Another Cobra, #5, abandoned the play, dropping his gloves and grabbing the big Leaf. The challenge was accepted, and both men started swinging. The fight ended when the Leaf player dropped to the ice, looking dazed after the last punch.
“Fuckin’ A!” Kimber bounced in her seat. “That man, White? He’s bloody fine. The things I would do to him…”
Justina snorted as Ford stared at Kimber like she’d just sprouted a tail and horns.
“Watch your language, Kimber.” Sahara came to stand beside the sofa, frowning at Kimber. “Dominik warned you you’d lose your laptop for a week if he heard you speak like that again.”
The young girl pouted. “He ain’t even here, mate.”
“Maybe not, but I am, and I’d appreciate if you wouldn’t swear.”
Paying no attention to either of them anymore, Ford moved up to the edge of the sofa, leaning forward. Justina caught the play that was exciting him.
Vanek was on a breakaway. He moved so fast, neither his own team, nor the Leafs, could keep up with him. He feinted to the left. The goalie came out to meet him. Vanek lifted the puck to the right, momentum sending him flying over the goalie’s leg as he tried to avoid the netminder.
He slid right into the boards.
The goal light went off.
“Fuck yes!” Ford jumped up. He pointed at the TV. “Fucking finish this, you fucking sons of a bitches! Show my fucking man his team ain’t got shit on us!”
On her feet beside Ford, Justina laughed as he turned to hug her, and Sahara stuttered, looking torn between cheering herself, or giving Ford hell for using all the swear words.
Kimber was giggling, squeezing in to be part of the hug.
“He’s not interested in hockey,” Jami said from the doorway, still a bit pale, but smiling as she nudged Akira with her elbow. “Not his thing at all.”
Akira smirked. “I’ve noticed.”
Plunking back down on the sofa with Kimber, Justina grinned. Coming here had turned out to be a great idea after all. She’d managed to be helpful and had fun hanging out with everyone. She actually felt like part of the group for once.
So she didn’t hesitate to add her own lighthearted remark. “I take it ‘his man’ isn’t a fan of the team?”
“Our man is a Detroit fan.”
“Ah.” Justina wrinkled her nose. “And you haven’t dumped him yet?”
“Thank you, Justina.” Ford said, distractedly.
Akira stuck out her tongue at Ford, then gave Justina a mock serious look. “Don’t encourage him.”
“Shh!” Ford didn’t sit back down as the game neared the end. When the Cobras lost the lead with seconds left, he threw his arms into the air. “Are you fucking kidding me? Tell me they’re fucking kidding me? They had this!”
Halfway through his rant, Justina covered Kimber’s ears. Pointless, but it made the kid smile. And Sahara looked a bit less likely to walk over and punch Ford in the nose.
Folding her arms over her chest, Akira tapped her foot. Then cleared her throat. “Ford, the goal is under review.”
“What?” Ford moved closer to the TV.
Justina stood, holding her breath.
Shero, the team’s head coach, had used the Coach’s challenge. The refs stood by the timekeeper’s bench as the goal was called in. A replay began well before the goal, showing something none of them had noticed.
The Leafs had gone into the attacking zone ahead of the puck.
Offside.
It seemed to take forever, but the ref finally made the announcement.
“No goal.”
They all cheered. The fans in the Air Canada Center were booing. The Leaf’s coach looked pissed.
The game resumed, and the Cobras finished with a win. If they won game four, they’d tie the series.
“You can all come back here to watch the next game,” Sahara said, hugging Akira then Ford, before they headed out. “Thank you so much for everything. I think Kimber enjoyed your company. I know I did.”
“Any time, sweetie.” Ford glanced over at Jami and Justina. “Do you ladies need a lift home?”
Jami nodded. “Yes, please. I need to take Bear for a walk before bed.”
“You should bring him next time. Then you can spend the night.” Sahara turned to Justina. “You’re welcome to stay.”
Before Justina even had a chance to consider anything, Kimber was grabbing her hand and jumping up and down excitedly.
“Please say you’ll stay! We can stay up late watching movies. Bran tires Sahara out, and I know she wants to go to bed, but I can’t bloody well sleep after that!” Kimber gave Justina the sweetest smile. “Please?”
Sahara did look tired. Maybe keeping Kimber busy would give her a chance to relax? Justina liked Kimber, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to sleep either. Going back to her parents to sit up all night, alone in her basement room, wasn’t very appealing, considering the alternative.
She met Sahara’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise, silly!” Sahara laughed. “I’ll get you some pjs. Kimber, I don’t mind you watching one movie, but go get changed and brush your teeth first.”
Goodbyes finished, the house became quiet. Justina changed into the pjs Sahara lent her, simple pink pants with hearts and a pink tank top, and joined Kimber in the living room.
Sahara came to sit with them for a bit while they watched Pirates of the Caribbean, but stepped out quietly when Bran began to fuss.
Half asleep by her side, Kimber tipped her head up, a wistful smile on her lips. “Is it weird that things feel too good? Like, that scares me more. I don’t know what to expect.”
Poor kid. Justina gave Kimber a little squeeze and kissed her hair. “Not at all. You’ve had a rough go of it. But no one ever knows what to expect. The way I see it, if you have a good day, then it’s yours to keep. No matter what happens after, that day is all yours.”
“I haven’t had many of those.” Kimber’s brow furrowed slightly. “Well, lately, I’ve had more I guess.”
“You guess?”
“No, I know. But it’s so much worse when you’re not ready for the next bad thing.” Kimber sighed. “I know that sounds stupid. I just like being prepared.”
Justina shook her head. She understood exactly what the girl was going through. In high school, when kids had picked on her, she’d gone home miserable, then headed back, feeling sick because she expected more of the same. It was easy to say ‘appreciate every moment’, but when the good moments were rare, all you could do was keep fighting. Keep seeing everything as a fight you had to win.
“It doesn’t sound stupid. And you have every right not to trust that this is gonna last.” Put that way, Justina couldn’t help but look at her own situation. She had friends now. Had so much going for her. But what if she lost it all? Would she manage as well as she had before on her own?
Sure you will. You learned to be enough, to not need anyone. You won’t forget.
But Kimber needed to learn a bit of trust. She was too young to lose faith that anyone would take care of her. She had Sahara and Dominik. Her brother. And so many people who would always put her first.
She told Kimber as much.
“Should I trust them, Justina?”
“Have they earned your trust?”
Line Brawl: The Dartmouth Cobras #8 Page 19
