Marek (Cold Fury Hockey #11)(27)

“When can you come visit?” I ask, sounding desperately lonely. Which I am.

“Soon,” she promises. “Your dad has a job interview next week, so we’ll look it after we get through that.

“I’ve got some money,” I say, knowing that it will eat deeply into my savings. “I’ll get you plane tickets. Lilly misses you so much.”

My mom chuckles softly. “You will do no such thing. Your dad and I are perfectly capable of buying plane tickets. Or maybe we’ll take our time and drive down.”

I didn’t realize how tightly constricted my chest was until she said those words, but knowing that my parents would be coming soon to visit was just the balm I needed to end this crazy, emotional night.

“So have you thought about what to do with Lilly when you start work?” my mom asks, and I can imagine her settling down deeper into her pillows and covers while we gab.

I had indeed thought about it, and settle myself in too.

We talk for over an hour, and when I hang up, I’m feeling good about where my life is right now.





Chapter 11


    Marek


“What other questions might you have for me, Mr. Fabritis?”

I look down at Lilly as she sits in the chair beside me, happily engrossed in a Dr. Seuss book while I talk to Miss Dormers, head of the prestigious Brassfield School. It’s the third such “school” I’ve toured today, and I’m not quite sure when day cares became “educational learning centers” for little kids.

“This is all a little overwhelming,” I admit to her. “I mean, she’s not even four years old yet and she’ll be learning Spanish? I seem to remember the highlight for me at that age was nap time and Jell-O pudding cups.”

Miss Dormers laughs easily and gives me a knowing smile. “The children here get plenty of naps, recess, and healthy snacks. But their minds are engaged, for sure.”

It’s been an unbelievable experience for me today. Gracen started her job at the hospital, so she informed me yesterday that not only would I have to watch Lilly, but I would have to help her find a suitable day care to put Lilly in starting next week, since training camp began on Monday. This wasn’t how I figured I’d be spending my last free Friday before the season starts, but I also didn’t mind the responsibility of it.

Sure, I’m a little uneasy being on my own with Lilly. What if she chokes on something? Or has an allergy I didn’t know about? Surely Gracen would have told me that, right?

Hell, buckling her in the car seat we transferred from Gracen’s car to mine had me totally doubting my own abilities. I’m pretty sure the belt was too tight on Lilly, and I was a nervous wreck with her in the car.

“I’m going to have to talk to Lilly’s mom about this,” I tell the very helpful school administrator. “But we’ll make a decision before the end of the day.”

At least I think we would. I didn’t even think to ask Gracen what time she got off work, but today was just orientation for her, so I assume she won’t be there all day. Shit, I’m not even sure what she’s doing at the hospital. We haven’t exactly had any conversation since our kiss the day before yesterday when I was so goddamn angry at her, but equally turned on as well. I don’t understand any of it.

I accept a fancy folder of information from Miss Dormers and she walks Lilly and me out to the front doors. I no sooner get Lilly strapped into her car seat when she says, “I’ve got to go potty.”

Now this, I know what to do. Gracen didn’t just turn our daughter over to me without some basic instructions. I got a full course on what to do when the potty was needed.

“Pee or poop?” I ask her, because one requires more assistance than the other.

“Pee,” she says with the cutest grin.

“Okay,” I say with an answering smile, and unlatch the buckles over her chest and lap. “Let’s do this.”

I feel somewhat accomplished when I’m able to get Lilly back into the school and in the guest bathroom adjacent to the main office. I hover outside the door, calling through it every thirty seconds, “Everything okay?”

Each time she replies, “I’m okay.”

After what seems like thirty minutes but is really only five, Lilly tells me she’s okay for the tenth time and I push the door slowly open.

Lilly’s still sitting on the toilet, her little jean shorts around her shins. Her elbows are on her thighs and she’s leaning slightly forward, swinging her legs casually.

“Are you still peeing?” I ask her.

“I think I need to poop,” she says. “Will you tell me a story?”

“I…um…well…a story?”

She nods, grinning at me expectantly.

“Okay, well…what kind of story?” I step into the bathroom and shut the door behind me.

“About a princess,” she exclaims brightly.

Shit. A princess? Seriously?

I rack my brain trying to remember any bit of information I might possess about princesses and I come up dismally blank.

Lilly’s blue eyes stare at me with such high expectation I feel myself growing hot under my collar. I’m utterly panicked, not wanting to let her down.

But then I remember something Gracen said to me this morning as she was making Lilly’s breakfast of eggs and bacon. “Just remember, Marek, Lilly’s like the most easygoing kid there is. It’s going to be hard for you to disappoint her.”