“I’m not, I’m just … scared.”
“Welcome to motherhood. Not a day goes by that I don’t worry about you.”
“But—”
“Nope, no buts, you will understand when you become a mom. You worry constantly—”
“You make motherhood sound amazing,” I deadpan.
“It’s the most amazing job I have ever done. From the moment I saw that pink plus sign, I was in love. There hasn’t been a moment since that day that I haven’t thought about you. You are my greatest achievement, Chelsea, and I thank the puck gods every day for giving me you as a daughter. I love you baby girl.”
“Mooom,” I tearfully cry. “I love you too.”
“I love you too, honey. Now that we know we love each other, it’s time to pee on a stick.”
CHAPTER8
KALLEN
It’s lunchtime the following day and I’ve just made bail thanks to my coach and father-in-law, David. We climb into his car and the atmosphere is awkward, I can tell he’s pissed off at me because I’m pissed at myself too. Brawling in a bar is not anything I’ve ever done before, but when it comes to Stefan Däuchmen I lose clearheaded thinking and I become a Neanderthal … just like him.
Neither one of us utters a word as we pull out into traffic. The silence is deafening. I don’t know what to say but what I do know is, right now, he’s disappointed, frustrated, upset, and ashamed of me. I could go on with the descriptive words but of all the ones I’ve mentioned, it’s the disappointing him part that is the worst thing about all of this. Actually, above all of that, not being there for my wife after she got shoved is the worst part, but disappointing Coach is a close second. I need to be a better husband and player, and right now, I don’t know if he’s angry at me in a son-in-law way or as my coach … it’s probably both, truth be told, which means I’m doubly screwed.
Fifteen minutes after leaving the precinct, we silently pull into the underground parking garage of my building, and I pull on my big boy panties and break the silence. “I know you’re disappointed in me, you don’t need to say it, Coach, I’m disappointed in me too.”
“Wasn’t going to say a thing,” he nonchalantly replies from the driver’s seat as he pulls into one of my guest parking spots, but his tone says it all. “But since you mentioned it, as your father-in-law, I’m pissed that you didn’t look after my little girl. She’s fine, by the way.”
“I know she’s fine, the arresting officer let me know.”
“I expected this shit fromhim,not from you. You’re better than that, Kallen.”
“He started it,” I snap like a petulant child. Likehim.
“So mature of you, Kallen. Guess now’s the time to let you know that you’ve both been scratched for three games. You will each also be fined ten grand and at the upcoming Christmas charity day for underprivileged kids, you and Däuchmen will be required to give a talk on team bonding and how to deal with big personalities. Hopefully, doing this will prevent WWF matches between the two of you. Wren has arranged for both teams to be there as a buffer, we can’t trust the two of you alone together. Coach Barber from the LA Legends and I feel it's time you two learn to play nice together.”
“But—”
“No buts, Jones, this rivalry between you two has gotten out of hand. It’s either this or indefinite suspension, I will not have the Crushers’ name marred by you or him.”
“Fine,” I relent, “but I guarantee you, he won’t be happy about this.”
“I don’t give a puck about him. I want you to man up and be the player and man I know you can be. Don’t let Däuchmen and his antics bring you down. Kallen, you’ve worked too damn hard to let this rivalry dash your dreams.”
“Fine.” I huff, hating that he’s right. I could lose it all if shit like this happens again. “You coming up?”
“Yep, Ness is upstairs, she stayed the night with Chelsea. Wanted to make sure she was okay after being shoved, since you were otherwise indisposed.”
“You just had to rub it in that I was a shit husband last night.”
“No rubbing when it’s the truth. Now get the fuck out of my car, you stink and you owe my daughter an apology. I hear she likes books with half-naked men on the cover.”
Just like that, I know Coach and I will be fine. Now, I have to go upstairs and face my wife.
CHAPTER9
CHELSEA
The front door opens and in walk Kal and Dad. Jumping up from the sofa, I race over and throw myself at him. Thankfully, he has quick reflexes and he catches me as I wrap my legs around his waist and hug him for dear life. “Are you okay?”