OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9)

by Bianca Sommerland

  “We can’t, Mac, if someone sees us—” Maddy’s cheeks reddened as the guys all turned to her. “No offense, but our dad would freak if he found out.”

  “None taken.” Dave nudged Braxton toward the big pickup and gave Heath a pointed look. “Come on, Ladd. You don’t wanna get them in trouble.”

  “If we go to a drive-thru, no one needs to see them.” Heath lifted his shoulders when Dave’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not worried.”

  “Of course you’re not, you’ve got Mason watching your back. I fuck up and I’m screwed.” Dave jerked his chin at Heath, then glanced over at Braxton. “Talk to him.”

  “Why? He’s right.” Braxton opened the back door of the truck, grinning at Maddy. “We grab a bite to eat and then swing by the mall. It’ll be crowded. No one will notice you.”

  Dave’s sour expression was almost comical as Maddy sighed and nodded, letting Braxton help her up.

  Mackenzie stepped up to Dave, putting her hand on his thick forearm. “Nothing bad will happen. I swear.”

  “You can’t promise that. Us even hanging out with you might be illegal.”

  “It’s not, but if you’re that worried, don’t look at it as hanging out.” The edge of Mackenzie’s lips quirked. “You can be the chaperone.”

  Chapter 7

  Oriana cradled West against her breasts with one arm, reading over the portfolio Becky had sent her for Silver’s new PA. The woman seemed qualified, but she couldn’t help being a little suspicious. Not so much of the woman, but of Silver’s sudden enthusiasm for having an assistant. She’d complained for months about her husband suggesting she needed one, even after she’d lost her secretary. The sudden 180 made it hard not to wonder what her real motivations were.

  Not that she didn’t trust her sister. But she wouldn’t put much past her.

  Thankfully, she didn’t have to worry too much about Ford getting himself in trouble as well. For the moment, anyway. His son should keep him too busy for any projects to save the team that might not be entirely legal.

  She hoped.

  The door to her small office near the locker rooms opened. She flipped the folder shut, then pulled out another. Which made her whisper a prayer for her sanity. Several of the Ice Girls had written out protests against new rules that were being put into place this season. And couldn’t get an answer from Silver or Ford, so decided Oriana would play the middleman.

  Since when am I my siblings’ keeper?

  And why wasn’t Silver on top of the issues with the Ice Girls? They were always her priority.

  Max watched her as Sloan moved past him to take West from her. Concern filled Max’s ocean-blue eyes as he rested his hip on the edge of her desk. “You looked stressed.”

  “I’m fine, it’s just…” Oriana shook her head. “For all I know, I’m worrying for nothing. But I know Silver. She has to be planning something. And my little sister keeping secrets is never a good thing.”

  Sloan nodded, holding West up against his chest without a care for the baby-drool dripping onto his expensive jacket. “I wouldn’t put anything past her. Maybe you should call in another lawyer before she has Asher make things even worse.”

  “I didn’t say it would be illegal.”

  “Is Ford involved?”

  She frowned at him. Fine, they both knew Ford’s past, and she’d considered that as well, but did he always have to think the worst of her siblings? “You’re not helping.”

  “I’m being realistic.” Sloan gently stroked West’s fluffy blond hair as their son drifted off to sleep. “Whatever either of them decides to do, you know you can’t stop them. I hate the idea of you wearing yourself out even more, trying to protect them from themselves.”

  Nodding slowly, Max pushed away from the desk, then crouched down in front of her. “You’re meeting with Keane in a couple hours. Nothing they do will convince him to keep the team if he’s determined to sell, but you might be able to reason with him.” He took her hand and stroked her knuckles with his thumb. “Focus on what you can control, darlin’.”

  Oriana watched him rise, then let him pull her to her feet. “You’re right, but I just feel like I have to…”

  “Take care of them. I know and I understand.” Max slid his arm around her waist, holding her close as his gaze went to Sloan and West. “I’ve been thinking about what will happen if the team moves. We’ve built a life here. A home for West to grow up in. Can we really leave it all to follow the team to another city?”

  Brow furrowed, Sloan met his eyes. “What are you really asking, Max?”

  “I’m asking if you want to stay.”

  Sloan blinked. “Stay? As in quit coaching? It’s the only connection I still have to the game.”

  “There are other things you could do.” Max ran his hand through his dirty blond hair, which had started to grow out again, back to the thick, wavy style Oriana loved. “Other things I could do.”

  She’d been afraid this conversation was coming. Had hoped to avoid it a little longer, but what was the point anymore? She knew what she wanted to do, but this decision had to made by all of them. As a family.

  “You’re too young to retire, Max.” Sloan shook his head as though ready to shut down the conversation. “We can make a home for West anywhere. We left the team once, and look how well that turned out.”

  “I’m thirty-two, Sloan. I have what, two, three years left?”

  “I’m two years older than you and if I could, I’d still be playing.” Sloan’s jaw hardened, but he kept his voice low, stroking West’s back as their son stirred. “If you’re done with the game, that’s your decision. But I’m not.”

  Max nodded slowly. “I never said I was done with the game. But I am willing to give it up for our son. Kinda thought you’d feel the same.”

  “Don’t fucking go there.”

  Oriana stepped forward, holding her arms out for West. She wasn’t worried about Sloan hurting him, but the baby didn’t need to be in the middle of his fathers arguing.

  “Or what? Did you think being a father would be easy? That having a child wouldn’t take sacrifices?” Max let out a rough sound of disgust. “If you’ve got a plan, I’m willing to hear it. But you don’t get the final say. Not with this.”

  Most men would have stormed off after a statement like that, but Max simply inhaled slowly, turning to Oriana. “I’ve got to go meet with my trainer again, Doc wasn’t impressed with my cardio. Can I hold him for a bit before I leave?”

  “Of course.” Oriana carefully placed West in Max’s arms, chewing on her bottom lip as she tried to figure out how to comfort him. Unlike Sloan, he still seemed uncertain about his place with his son. He did his share in getting up at night, in feedings and changings, but when it came to choices like how to fix up West’s room, whether he should be sleeping with them or on his own, even choosing a pediatrician, he always conceded to Oriana and Sloan.

  Proposing he retire to stay here and raise West was the closest Max had ever come to having a strong opinion about West’s upbringing. She wanted to encourage that, but she didn’t want to come off as taking sides. Maybe a few minutes with his son would be good for him.

  In the meantime, she and Sloan needed to have a little chat.

  “I was about to give him a bottle, it’s in the warmer on my desk.” She nodded toward the sleek little blue and white warmer. “Why don’t you feed him while Sloan and I take a walk. We need to discuss the condition of some of the other players.”

  His lips slanted. “Y’all gonna talk about me, aren’t you?”

  She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I love you.”

  He let out a soft laugh, heading to her chair as West woke up and predictably began fussing and trying to suck his father’s solid chest through his jacket. “I love you, too.”

  Out in the hall she walked with Sloan toward the locker room, deciding his office would be the best place for this conversation. He didn’t want to wait, and kept opening his mouth, but she hus
hed him until they were guaranteed privacy.

  By the time they’d reached his office, his jaw was ticking. He folded his arms over his chest and stared at her. “Do I have permission to speak now, pet?”

  “Don’t.” She ground her teeth and stared right back at him. “You’re aggravated by this whole situation, and I get that, but we are not Master and sub here. Whatever either you or Max decides, I have a job here and you will respect that.”

  He blinked, then lowered his gaze, letting his arms fall to his sides. “Shit, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s a bad habit you have when you feel out of control.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips close to his. “But I’m all yours when we get home.”

  He drew her close, kissing her softly, then pressing her head against his chest, cheek resting on her hair. His heart was beating hard and fast and tension radiated off him. He’d already lost so much, and worked so hard to prove himself as an assistant coach. Having West in their lives had given him an added purpose, but the idea of not being involved with the sport he’d dedicated his life to must have him feeling lost.

  She wasn’t sure how to reassure him, but they’d find a way through this. Together.

  They always did.

  Letting out a heavy sigh, Sloan eased away from her. “You never told us what you want to do. When we left for Calgary, neither you or Max were as sure as you pretended to be. I don’t want to go through that again.” He rubbed his jaw, his gaze distant. “If…if you both decide to stay, I won’t leave you.”

  “Good. Because we all need you.” She took his hand, squeezing it tight. “But as for what I want? I fought for my place with this team. They’re family. If the team is relocated, I want to say I’d follow them, but it would depend where. You’re right, we could build a home for West anywhere, but it would have to be somewhere we’d all be happy.”

  He inclined his head. “That’s reasonable.”

  “And this is a conversation.” She snickered at the chagrin in his expression. “Max is feeling the loss of control just like you are. Probably more. He’s nervous about being a father and he always lets us have the final say. You made him feel like his opinion didn’t matter.”

  “Why hasn’t he told me? He’s the one always insisting on communication.”

  “I don’t think he realizes it’s an issue. You’re the most dominant and he accepts that. I’m West’s mother and I guess he sees me as more qualified or…something.” She gave him a small smile, then laughed. “As if I’m suddenly all-knowing because of my gender.”

  “Isn’t that how it works?” His tone had lightened, teasing now.

  She smacked his arm.

  His brow rose.

  Oh oh.

  “All mine when we get home, is it?” His dark green eyes became the black people always assumed they were as his pupils dilated and he leaned close, his voice rough and low, making her tremble in a way that still thrilled her, after all these years. “I’ll remember that.”

  “I’m sorry, Sir.”

  “Oh, you will be.” His smile was positively wicked. He gathered her hair in his hand, claiming her mouth in a brutal kiss she’d no doubt feel for the rest of the day. Nipping her bottom lip playfully, he steadied her with a hand under her elbow. “Damn it, I love you, woman. So fucking much.”

  “I know you do.” She walked with him to the door. “Now go remind our man how much you love him, because I think he’s forgotten.”

  “He’s known me for a very long time, Oriana. How could he forget so easily?”

  She sighed. Ugh, men are impossible. “Because he’s known you so long, you take it for granted.”

  “Bullshit.” Sloan’s eyes hardened with determination as he led the way back to her office. As they stepped in, Max was holding West against his shoulder to burp him. And Sloan strode right up to him. “You know I love you.”

  A statement, not a question. Wonderful.

  Max arched a brow. “Is this your way of apologizing?”

  “Apologizing for what? Sure, I could’ve let you talk, but that’s not the issue right now.”

  Oriana pressed her eyes shut and said a quiet prayer for patience.

  And Max let out a cold laugh. “Of course. Why would that be the issue?” He stood as West let out a loud burp, turning away from Sloan and speaking quietly to their son. “That’s my good boy. I have to go for a little bit, but I won’t be too long.”

  After settling West in Oriana’s arms, Max leaned in to kiss her, tender and slow, as if he wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He pulled away reluctantly, cupping her cheek in his hand.

  “You tried.” He smiled, then started for the door.

  “For fuck’s sakes, Max. Don’t leave pissed off.” Sloan crossed the room and grabbed Max’s arm. “Fine, I’m sorry if you’re upset.”

  His smile tight, Max nodded. “This is why Becky writes the apologies for the team. Maybe you should have her write you one. I’ll see you later, Sloan.”

  The door clicked shut. Sloan slumped into the wooden chair in front of her desk, rubbing his face with his hands. He didn’t speak as she settled West into his carrier.

  She left him to his thoughts as she covered their son with a light blue blanket, setting the carrier on her desk so she could pack the diaper bag. Sloan would be taking West back home since she still had a few hours to put in here. Hopefully, by the time she got home, he’d have figured out how to mend things with Max.

  If not, they were going to have a very long night. Their house rule was no one went to bed angry.

  Max didn’t get angry often. Rarely lost his temper. When he did, he’d take some space for himself. Then return, determined to work on a solution. Getting to that point took a civil conversation and level heads. From all of them. Which might be difficult considering how sensitive the subject of moving was.

  “I take back what I said. Nothing Silver could do would make this worse. Hell, she might come up with some way to save this team.” The edge of Sloan’s lips quirked. “And no matter how crazy her plan, I’d help her.”

  Chapter 8

  Across the street from the forum, Ford waited for his son, fidgeting with the pack of cigarettes he’d grabbed at the corner store on the way to work. He’d already smoked five today, spoiling his umpteenth attempt to quit.

  What was one more?

  Kyle should have been here with Jaxon by now, but Ford was kinda happy he was late. He still had no idea what to do with the kid. Explain why he’d never been there for him? Find something to do the boy would enjoy? Bring him to a place to eat his favorite foods? Ford didn’t know anything about him.

  And from the little Kyle had told him on the phone, Jaxon wasn’t all that excited to get to know his father.

  He was coming because Kyle told him he had to give Ford a chance. He’d threatened to cut the kid’s WiFi access.

  When Ford heard that, he’d told Kyle to forget it. He didn’t want his son spending time with him to avoid getting punished. If Jaxon wasn’t ready, Ford would give him the time he needed.

  But Kyle wouldn’t listen. He agreed with Anthony Delgado. Seeing Jaxon would keep Ford ‘motivated’. Seemed his son’s uncle liked the lifestyle Anthony had introduced him to. He didn’t want to lose it.

  Ford was already terrified he’d fuck up as a dad. So long as his son was under the ‘care’ of Anthony Delgado and Kyle Macrae, the poor kid wasn’t safe from emotional manipulation. All Ford could do was give him some space from them, if only during his limited time with the boy.

  Jaxon gets a clueless dad or those calculating, greedy fuckers. Nice to have options. Ford pulled out a cigarette with a shaky hand. Struggled to flick the lighter, his fingers slippery with sweat.

  He jumped as a small hand wrapped around his wrist.

  “Hey, you.” Akira took the lighter from him. “Silver told me you were out here waiting. I should have been here sooner. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Your friend needed you. Jami shouldn
’t be alone now.” He meant every word, but damn it, he’d missed her. The day he’d found out about his son, Jami, who was about six months pregnant, had been rushed to the hospital with sharp pains. Akira had stayed with her all night, then the next day.

  Neither Luke nor Sebastian would have left Jami’s side if Akira hadn’t been there, even though the doctor had assured them all the pain was merely from ligaments being strained during sudden movement. Jami had just turned twenty, and having twins for her first pregnancy scared her and her men. Understandable, since she was already considered high risk because of past drug abuse.

  Akira was incredibly loyal and protective of her friends. He and Cort made sure she knew they fully supported her being away whenever—and for as long as—she needed to be.

  But that also meant he’d had to tell her about his son on the phone. And still wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction.

  She’d been calm. Only asked a few questions. Told him they’d figure everything out.

  And said they’d talk more when she got home.

  Which had been today. Shortly after he’d left for work.

  She probably wasn’t happy to see him smoking. Why the fuck was he so weak? Sure, the nicotine steadied his nerves, but he shouldn’t need this shit anymore.

  Telling himself that only made him want it more.

  He moved to stuff the cigarette he was holding back in the pack.

  “Ford, it’s okay. I know that look. I’m not upset.” She gave him a small, sweet smile that warmed his heart. “You were doing amazing. And when you’re ready to quit again, I’ll help however you need me to. But don’t feel like you need to hide it from me. You quit on your terms, no one else’s.”

  “I don’t think I can.” He didn’t need this one though. Not right now. Akira being here settled him more than another drag ever would. “But I’m good. I’m fucking glad you’re here.”

  She released his wrist, waited until he put the cigarettes away, then wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. “I wish I could have been with you sooner. Said…said something. Your news was just a lot all at once.”