Legend (Arizona Vengeance #3)(51)

“So far she’s been quiet,” I tell him. He already knows last week’s development which was Lida’s attorney filing a motion to share custody. It was a move that enraged me and I told my attorney to spare no expense fighting it. His plan is to request the court to order her to turn over her medical records as well as require a psychological evaluation. I don’t see how she can really fight against this, since she’s claiming a psychological illness is what caused her to abandon Charlie in the first place, but you never know what might happen.

    I’d given a lot of thought to my feelings about Lida and I’m trying to have some empathy for her. I’ve even considered carefully what Pepper said but something inside of me keeps rebelling against letting Lida back into Charlie’s life. I can’t quite put my finger on why it’s bothering me so much, but I try not to worry about it too much right now.

The motion has been set for next month and until then, Lida is not something I want to give my attention to. I’d rather worry about my daughter, my team, and Pepper, and that’s in no particular order. I say that because Pepper is becoming more and more important to me as the days pass by.

“Is it hard being away from Charlie?” Dax asks me.

“Yeah,” I admit. “I’ve got a newfound respect for the dads on this team.”

“I expect it’s even harder on you since you’re all Charlie has,” he observes.

“I’d go crazy with worry if I didn’t have Lucy and Pepper back in Phoenix,” I tell him.

Dax’s eyes light up. “Speaking of Pepper…you two are getting serious, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” I tell him without an ounce of hesitation. No sense in denying something that’s patently clear whenever anyone sees Pepper and me together. We had dinner the other night with Brooke and Bishop and Bishop told me I looked like a love-struck idiot every time I looked at Pepper.

Whatever.

    “Pepper is going to bring Charlie to Boston this weekend for the All-Star game,” I tell Dax, not even trying to hide my smile of excitement at seeing them both. I won’t be returning with the team tomorrow morning to Phoenix but rather I’ll hop a commercial flight to Boston since I’m one of the two Pacific division goalies chosen to represent the best of the league.

“Bet your parents are happy about that,” Dax observes. I’ve told him how crazy they’ve been over their granddaughter and I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I’d be disowned if I didn’t bring Charlie.

“I’m pretty sure I won’t even see my daughter this weekend,” I say with a laugh. “They’ve already said she’s staying at their house, which is fine. Gives me some alone time with Pepper.”

Dax snorts and shakes his head. “I still can’t believe you two. You used to hate her.”

“I did not,” I assert with a growl. “I don’t hate anyone. But I disliked her a lot for sure.”

“I always felt there was something there,” Dax tells me with a sly grin. “It’s why I asked her out. Thought it might goad you into making a move on her.”

“And I thought you were dating her so I would never have made a move on her,” I tell him.

“All’s well that ends well, right?”

“Right,” I say with a nod.

The bus finally lurches forward and I look up to see traffic is moving at a slow crawl. It’s progress at least, but we are going to be late arriving to the arena. I should put my earbuds in, start my music, and crawl into my meditation space now so I can get game ready.

    But my mind turns to Pepper. I think about her probably way too much but I refuse to chastise myself for doing so. It makes me happy when she dominates my thoughts and no one needs to tell me how incredibly lucky I am to have her.

Just on the surface she’s perfect. Smart, funny, gorgeous, and she challenges me at every step. Look a little deeper and it has to be enviable that I’ve found a woman who truly cares about people. She’s never hesitated in helping me. She cares for Charlie like she’s her own. And she is my champion, day in and day out.

I think it’s easy to see why I’ve fallen so hard for her, and yet I still have a tiny bit of hesitation before I let myself believe in the possibility of a happily ever after.

And that has to do with Lida.

I’ve got to get her straightened out, because it’s entirely possible she could be a part of the rest of my life if she’s allowed visitation or joint custody of Charlie.

I’ve not real direct experience, but I can imagine how difficult it would be for Pepper to have to deal with that. Another woman that I’d have to give at least some consideration to as we co-parent Charlie together.

Take it a step further. If things were to get really serious with Pepper and me, which I think they already are, will she feel like she doesn’t have a place in Charlie’s world.

I know I’m not expected to have all these answers, but the fact that I’m already trying to figure out solutions tells me that Pepper is the one for me. I’m waiting for that perfect moment to strike when I know it’s the right time to tell her that.

    Until then, I tell her what I can. I pull my phone out and send her a text: I miss you.