Enforcer

by Ryleigh Rhodes

"I have some work to finish up. You're on dog duty for the next few days. I just need some time. Please." I felt the need to emphasize the 'please'. "Please, respect that."

  I threw some cash down to cover my part of the check, and quickly left Kristen there.

  Chapter Nine

  There was still a light knock at the door. It was late. After midnight, late. The twins were asleep. Two days had passed since I sat down with Kristen, and I'd successfully avoided Clay since then. It had helped that Clay had back to back home games. I stared through the peep hole. Clay was there, waiting. My luck avoiding him had just run out.

  My scars were covered because I was in layers. Not because it was overly cold, I just preferred it that way. Quickly I ran my fingers through my hair, then flipped the deadbolt, opening the door.

  "Clay ..." Taking one look at his face, I almost lost my bearing. Almost.

  His face was badly bruised. He looked exhausted, but rugged and cute. Although hockey players probably don't want to be described as cute. Clay pulled it off even with a busted up face.

  "Can we talk?" It was more of an order than a question. He was angry, or something close to it.

  I opened the door wider allowing him to pass through. "The twins are asleep, but we can talk in the bathroom."

  Turning on the light as I entered, I sat on the edge of the tub. He gently shut the door behind him, leaning against the vanity. At least he wasn't crowding me.

  I swallowed, then asked, "Are you okay? I mean physically." I gestured around my eye bone indicating his black eyes.

  "Yeah, baby. Just bruises." His anger was gone, and his shoulders relaxed.

  "Promise?" I asked softly, I didn't think he'd intentionally lie to me. At least I hoped not.

  He pulled me into a hug and smiled a half smile. "Yeah, baby, I promise," he mumbled into my hair. Looking up I held his gaze a while longer.

  "Okay," I said with a sigh of relief. His arms tightened, holding me closer to him.

  "I'm not sure what Kristen said to make you avoid me, but we need to talk about it." His tone was soft, full of patience. Turning, he lifted me onto the vanity, placing his hands on both sides of my hips.

  "She said a few things, I needed time to process. I'm still processing some of it. Mostly she tried to talk me into moving in with you. I don't even know how that was a possible item to debate in her mind. She's barely come to terms with us dating. So it makes me wonder if you or Jack put her up to it." I looked down at my hands in my lap.

  Why was this making me nervous? I didn't do anything wrong.

  "I didn't ask her to get involved. I doubt Jack did either. Moving in is what freaked you out?" He tilted my chin up, scanning my face, then settled on my eyes.

  Why sugarcoat it at this point? "Part of it ... All of y'all are pressuring me, and I just want time. We decided to take things slow. I know your schedule is hectic, and it'd be easier for us to move in logistically speaking. It's also about respecting my decisions, as a person, and a parent."

  Respecting boundaries was the big issue. If they couldn't accept my living conditions, what would be next? My parenting or work ethic coming into question? He gave my thigh a squeeze.

  "I understand. But, I'd prefer you find a place close to mine. Or you can spend the night at my place if I'm coming back late from a game. I didn't mean to pressure you, and I'm sorry you felt like I did. Whatever you want to do. I'm not going anywhere, beautiful. That's what I hoped to show you with the furniture. I want you around."

  His reassurance was nice to hear, but I still wanted to pump the brakes.

  "Okay. I'll think about it." He lightly rested his forehead against mine, letting out a sigh. Cupping my cheek, he leaned down, brushing his lips against mine.

  The paperwork for the apartment still hadn't been turned in. Mostly because at thirty-one years old, I didn't want to downgrade back into an apartment. Even though it was only a temporary move for six months.

  "I know I'm pushing my luck here, but I'll be gone and I need someone to watch the dogs."

  The twins had been whining about seeing the dogs the past two days. Watching the dogs would make them happy. The twins being happy would be easier for me.

  "For how long?" I asked, already knowing I'd cave and watch them.

  "Five days, unless we're delayed by weather. The last game is an early game so we'll fly home after it."

  That was a long time, I might as well have started repacking everything I just unpacked a few days ago.

  "Please tell me they're potty trained. If not Jack is going under the bus." I was not even joking. With a bad day at work I could end up with vomit on me, I was not about to be cleaning up dog piss or poop on top of that.

  Clay chuckled. "They are. Anything else we need to hammer out?"

  No way was I going to bring up sex and kids right now. That would have to be a wine glass in hand late night couch talk.

  "It can wait," I said, a little too fast to be convincing.

  "Baby. We have time and we're face-to-face."

  I let out a long sigh. "I'm not ready for that particular topic yet. We'll talk about it when you get back."

  "Promise?" He asked, running his thumb across my bottom lip.

  I nodded without thinking about it, hoping I wasn't making myself out to be a liar later.

  "No more running away, okay? We'll talk through whatever is bothering you. I'm in this for the long haul."

  Besides pushing me to move in with him, he hadn't verbalized what he wanted for us. Yeah the furniture, dogs, and time he'd been spending with the twins were great gestures, but we'd yet to discuss a lot of major issues: family, kids, marriage. I was okay with delaying.

  "When you get back, we will talk."

  He leaned into me giving me a long, deep, full-on tongue kiss. The kind of kiss that could convince any good girl to go bad. I happily kissed him back. His hands ventured under my shirt. I wasn't wearing a bra, so he met no resistance as he cupped my breast.

  Pulling my hips tight against his, my core landed against his hard length. Oh, my! I needed to pull it together and stop this. We agreed to take things slow. I was having fun, but this was not slow.

  "I'm not trying to be a tease, but we need to stop. The twins are too close, and I'm on my period. Plus you probably need to go pack." Or something, I hoped.

  Thank goodness I was sitting because I didn't think I could stand after that kiss. He helped me off the vanity, setting me on my feet, but keeping his hand on my hips.

  "I'm packed. I'd like to stay and cuddle for a while. I'll leave before they wake up. Please, beautiful, I've missed you." His eyes bore into mine, totally swoon worthy.

  I realized, I'd missed him too. Reaching up, I cupped his stubbly cheek in my hand. "Okay."

  Chapter Ten

  The twins were in bed with the dogs, 'guarding' them. I hated to admit it, but the dogs grew on me. They were in sync, inseparable, and followed the twins everywhere almost like an added built-in babysitter. With the fireplace blazing, I settled into Clay's couch with a book and glass of wine.

  I hadn't talked to Wilson in over a week. Pulling my phone out I typed out a quick text then stared at the fire.

  Claire: You talked to Q?

  She instantly replies.

  Wilson: No. Kristen thinks you moved in with Clay. True?

  Claire: Just dog/house sitting. We're taking things slow.

  Wilson: You still haven't slept with him?!? WTH!

  Claire: Some of us aren't hedonists, and we have kids that come first ;)

  Purposefully, I left out that we'd Skype'd and texted most of the time he'd been away. I loved his random texts and emails. It was nice to know that he thought about me throughout his day.

  Wilson: It's time to get back on that horse already. The twins are no longer an excuse! Plus they love Clay. We all love Clay.

  Claire: We're waiting. One of them walking in would ruin the mood. So they are an excuse.

  Not exactly a solid excuse. Finishing
my wine, I poured a second glass.

  Wilson: Kristen will happily watch them. Hell, I will come to town and watch them so you can break the seal and get some.

  Claire: Of course, she wants Clay to have babies. I gotta jump on that grenade and talk to him about that. Not sure if I want more kids.

  Wilson: Oh, please! just hire a nanny. Not like you can't afford it.

  Claire: Not that simple and you know it. let you know what happens, Mañana

  Wilson: I will call u, if you don't. Or I'll call Kristen haha

  Claire: You call K you're out of the loop permanently.

  Wilson: LMAO. You're so easy. Mañana

  I hope Wilson remembers the time difference, being a personal trainer, she has weird hours. Usually early hours, and I didn't want a zero dark thirty wake up. Settling back into the couch I sipped my wine, open the book, and attempt to read.

  ######

  My feet moved. A loud groan sounded, as I felt the couch dip down. Popping open one eye I saw Clay relax into the couch. He'd taken off his tie and jacket, and put his sock covered feet on the coffee table.

  I rolled onto my back, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "How'd the games go?" I asked. Did that make me a bad girlfriend because I didn't know? Oh, well.

  "Lost one. Are you drunk?" He asked, eyeing the empty wine glass on the coffee table.

  "Mmmm. Earlier, I might have been a wee bit tipsy." I sat up and crawled on top of his lap. I gave him a brief closed mouth kiss, then tucked my head into his neck. "Welcome home, baby." He was warm, and smelled like leather. I loved Clay's smell.

  "It's nice coming home to you." Running his hand up my thigh he stopped at my hip, then sighed.

  "You okay? You have stitches, and more bruises." I may have been half asleep, but I still noticed the stitches on his eyebrow. It almost looked like he had a second eyebrow. In all honesty, he looked like hell.

  "I'm sore." I tried to move off of him, but he held me to him. Guess he wasn't too sore to cuddle. "I have an appointment with my chiropractor tomorrow. How were the dogs?"

  "Good. Extra set of eyes on the twins considering they're attached at the hip to one another. Pretty sure Cullen fed one of them his broccoli during dinner."

  Clay laughed. Fisting his hand into my hair, he slightly pulled my head back, tipping his head down and kissed me. He ended the kiss, but kept eye contact while running his fingers along my jaw. "You ready to finish our talk?"

  Clay had the memory of an elephant, or he was really determined.

  "Sweetie, you just got home—"

  He cut me off, "I'll refill your glass, then we'll talk."

  Crap! He eased me off his lap, and grabbing the empty wine glass he got up and walked to the kitchen.

  "Half a glass for me." I watched him walk away. His gait was off, plus he was favoring his right side. He was definitely feeling some kind of discomfort.

  He came back with two wine glasses. After handing me one he sat next to me, his hips touching mine. "Spill it baby."

  I took a long pull from my glass.

  "Baby, it can't be that bad," he said with an authoritative voice.

  I wouldn't classify it as bad, but unfortunate. I knew we could maintain a friendship, even if our relationship failed to jump over this hurtle.

  "Could be a deal breaker," I warned.

  "I doubt it, but what is it?" He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his body.

  "Kristen mentioned you want kids of your own." I pressed my lips together, letting him process what I just said.

  "Eventually. Prefer to have it happen after I retire in a few years. Why is that a deal breaker?" He gulped half his wine down.

  "I just never planned on having kids, more kids. Sawyer and I went years without using birth control. Which, long story, but I can't use hormones, so it's pretty much condoms."

  Granted I had been in school most of my marriage to Sawyer. We'd been separated, not by choice. Sawyer was stationed at Fort Carson while I was in Denver attending school. Add in deployments, having a hectic schedule with school and volunteering, and the stress of it all, probably could have affected my fertility.

  "I'm okay with using condoms when we're ready." Thank goodness. Being pregnant was not a walk in the park the first time, and I was in no hurry to experience that again.

  "That's the other thing. Fertility wise I'm not sure it's possible. The twins were out of the blue, total shock. Not just being pregnant, but with twins." I shook my head. Totally out of the blue. I had a mild panic attack on the bathroom floor once I saw the plus sign.

  "That's not a deal breaker. If it happens, or not, I'm happy just being with you and the twins."

  That was a great answer. The right answer even, but I'd still feel bad, on some level, if I couldn't give him a child of his own.

  "Clay ..." I croaked on a whisper.

  "I see you're finally understanding I'm serious." After giving me a quick kiss, he continued, "Now, next order of business. Will you come to a game?"

  The twins and Matt went to his games frequently. Work had kept me busy, or Kristen and I used the time, while the kids were away, to have a quiet girls night in. In four years, I had never gone to a game, or even watched Clay play on TV. God, I'm a shitty friend.

  "I'll go. Not saying I can make every home game, but I'll try." Turning into him I rested my head on his shoulder near his neck.

  "That's all I'm askin' for, beautiful." It was getting harder to convince myself not to open up to him. I needed to offer a gesture of intimacy. All I'd really ever initiated was kissing.

  "Why don't we go upstairs? I'll rub your back before bed." He was hurting and I wanted to help him feel better.

  "My back is killing me ... Did you sleep in my room?" Grabbing my hand, he helped me off the couch leading me towards the stairs.

  "No." Mostly I felt like that would be an invasion of privacy, and who knows what the hell the twins would think of that. So I avoided it.

  "Stay with me tonight?"

  I nodded. "For a bit." As long as I was in my own room or downstairs before the twins woke, it wouldn't bother me.

  Chapter Eleven

  The buzzer sounded ending the third period. Craig was keeping me company, and attempting to explain the game to me. Clay wasn't afraid to fight, or retaliate against a dishonest play from his opposition. The unofficial term was called an enforcer, and he played on the fourth line. Most of it had gone over my head. I was there to support Clay.

  It didn't matter if I knew or understood every intricate detail of this game. Watching Clay play had been intense. It had been two days since our couch talk, and he was bulldozing people on the ice, like his body didn't even bother him.

  I honestly loved it, most of it. The fighting didn't bother me, strangely. I found that a turn on. The thing that worried or scared me the most was when Clay was forced into the boards. The loud slamming sound and random head thrashing bothered me. Both teams were tied, which started an epic round of overtime.

  "This is called sudden death overtime," Craig explained. "Jack asked me for a favor tonight. I'm not good at being sneaky, and I know you prefer for people to be direct. So I'll cut to the chase. And ask you straight out." My body tensed. There was already a thick tension buzzing around the arena. Craig just added to it.

  "Jeez, Craig. Feel free not to sugar coat it. Ask away," I said, and watched the hostility grow on the ice, and the fans were going crazy for it.

  "There's two things really. Jack's worried Kristen gave Clay some poor advice concerning you."

  That was surprising to hear. After all of Kristen's past intrusions with Clay's ex's I'm shocked he'd go to her for advice.

  "I didn't know Clay needed to ask Kristen for advice. He's pretty preachy about open communication, so I'm tempted to let him sink himself there."

  Craig chuckled at me. "He wants to surprise you with a gift for Valentine's day. He'll be out of town, but Jack's worried Kristen may have gone overboard with the gift ideas
."

  There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that she did. I'm fairly simple. Flowers don't make me all lovey-dovey inside, they die days later. And what's really the point then? I would have preferred not to get anything from Clay, mainly because I feel like Valentine's day is more of a corporate and consumer holiday. If someone truly loves you they need to show you with actions all year long, not with materialistic things one day a year. But what the fuck do I know?

  "I don't need a gift. If he wants to send the kids a card or something that's cool, but I don't want anything. Out of curiosity what did she recommend?"