Ashton
“Okay, little man, catch me up on what I’ve missed.” We’re sitting at the bar in my kitchen, eating pizza. Things have seemed to be even more hectic than usual between my schedule and his lately, so I haven’t talked to him but once or twice in the last week.
Reed shrugs. “School, homework, hanging out with Sadie.” He takes a bite and then adds, “Nate came over for dinner one night.”
“He did? Y’all have fun?”
“Yeah.” Reed laughs. “We got in trouble because we were throwing a baseball inside. Mom thought we would break something.” He rolls his eyes. “He told me he could help me with my batting once it gets warmer.”
I try not to get jealous of Nate helping him with something. “That sounds like fun. He sounds cool.”
He nods. “I think so. He’s a little weird sometimes, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know how Mom’s jokes are never funny?” I nod. “He always laughs with her. It’s weird because it’s not that funny.” Reed genuinely looks confused as to how Nate could find Brooke’s jokes funny.
“Well, your mom finds them funny, so maybe they are both a little weird.”
Reed laughs. We eat another slice before going to play games. Days like this are when I realize how much I hate the traveling part of my job. I missed my little man. On the bright side, we have nights like this where we hang out, laugh, and spend time together. I love when it’s only him and me, but I’m excited about tomorrow too, when Lexie and Sadie are coming over for the kids’ playdate.
~
“Dad,” Reed calls out. “Sadie and Ms. Lexie are here.”
“What did I tell you about answering the door?” I say as I round the corner to see them walking in and shrugging out of their coats.
“Sorry. I knew it was them, though. I heard Sadie.”
“Next time, wait for me, okay?” The last thing I need is for him to open the door to random people.
“Okay. C’mon, Sadie,” he takes her hand, “all the toys are in my room.”
They take off running down the hall and I finally look at Lexie. “Hey, it’s good to see you.” I take in her outfit, raking my eyes over her body twice. “Really good.”
She giggles and slaps my shoulder. “You better stop.”
“All right. Want something to drink?”
Lex nods, so we make our way into the kitchen.
“I watched all the road games. You’ve forced me to purchase the NHL Center Ice, so I don’t miss any games.”
I laugh. “You should have told me. I would have let you come watch them here. You keep watching my games, I’m going to think you have my jersey hidden in your closet.” As I hand her a glass of tea, she blushes and avoids looking at me. “Do you own my jersey? Should I go ask Sadie?”
“I plead the fifth. I did hear through the grapevine that you might be signing with that new, hot clothing line, LSMP?” She changes the subject effortlessly, but she’s not getting away with it that easily.
Leaning over to whisper in her ear, I say, “I want to see you in my jersey, by the way.” My head is full of how she would look wearing that and nothing else. I need to think of something else and fast, so I stand upright and add, “Where did you hear that?”
“Brooke and I were talking about it. Did you sign the deal?”
I shake my head. Brooke, of course. “She talks too much. No, I didn’t sign anything.”
“Oh, well, that kind of sucks. Those were the clothes Carson Lee was in, and I couldn’t imagine you in any of those outfits. I figure they would put you in more business suits, and not so naked.”
My head tilts as I watch her facial expression carefully. “Is that your way of saying that I look bad naked? And, I had good reasons for not signing, for the record.” It had nothing to do with the opportunity and everything to do with Reed. I’m not adding anything else to my plate that could take up even more of my time. My jobs are to be his father and play hockey. Anything else is unnecessary.
Lexie tries to hide a grin. “You look very good without clothes. I mean, from what I’ve seen. So,” she continues, “what are the plans for today?”