“I know, I know. You don’t need a man to be happy. But is it so wrong for me to hope you find love? I want grandbabies some day. Not yet, of course. I’m too young to be a grandma.” She laughs, and I join her. Because she’s not too young to be a grandma, but of course that’s what she’s worried about.
“It’s not wrong, but that’s not why I’m calling.”
“Okay. What’s up, then?”
“Can you check in my cottage to see if Ryland left a jacket there? It’s navy with pink pinstripes. If it’s there, it’s probably shoved in the back of a drawer or stuck in couch cushions or something. If it were somewhere obvious, I would have found it and given it back to him.”
My mom hums. “Of course. Are the two of you talking again? Is that why you sound happy?”
“No. He only texted me to ask about the jacket. We are definitely not talking again.”
“Okay. I’ll check later today and let you know. I can leave it with one of the staff for him if I do, since your father is on location right now.” She emphasizesfatherin a way that divulges how things are going with them, so I avoid asking about him.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Of course. Is there anything else, honey? I’d love to keep chatting, but I have an appointment with my stylist in half an hour.” There’s more rustling in the background, and I can almost see her flipping through the clothes in her closet, carefully deciding what she should wear to the appointment. It’ll have to be something that makes her look youthful and happy.Can’t let the masses know she’s feeling anything but triumphant in her battle with Dad.
“No, that’s it.”
“Okay, well, don’t be a stranger. I love you, Indigo. I miss you.” She sounds distant. Like her mind’s already done with our conversation and she’s wholly focused on getting ready for her appointment. It’s nothing new, and it shouldn’t be disappointing, but it is.
“Miss you too, Mom.”
“Kisses, baby.” She hangs up before I can say goodbye, and I sigh.
I wish Sebastian wasn’t in the air, because I felt so good after our text exchange, and the urge to call him is overwhelming. But he promised to text when they land. For now, I’ll head back to the bungalow and let Lola cheer me up. I’ll tell her that Griffin is going to try to hook her up with a Professional Women’s Hockey League player and let her reaction give me a dopamine boost.
twenty-three
SEBASTIAN
“That’s what I’m fuckin’talking about,” Maddox cheers, slamming into me and patting the top of my helmet as the buzzer sounds. Game one against the Dallas Bandits down, and we pulled off a win on the road. The arena fills withboosand the sounds of unhappy Dallas fans, but I barely register it over the cheers and shouts of my teammates as they join us in a massive group celebration.
It’s the kind of thing you never tire of. The thrill of a win during the postseason, the excitement of your teammates as everyone feeds off each other, and the exhausted expressions of pure bliss.
“We did it, boys,” Ryder shouts, pressing his helmet to mine. “You were a beast, Navarro.”
“Hell, yeah.” Griffin slams into me, giving me an enthusiastic hug. “Bet the girls are going wild at home.”
The girls. For the first time, I’m included in that sentiment. Because I have a girl at home, and I know she’s watching.
It’s surreal. I can’t wait to get back to the hotel and call her.
Logan laughs, joining our celebration. “Navarro’s already calculating how long it will be before he can call Indie.”
“Like you aren’t doing the same thing.” I roll my eyes, but I’m grinning, because this is a club I’ve been waiting to join for so long, and I can’t believe I’m finally a card-carrying member.
“Oh, I definitely am.” Logan laughs. “I wish they were here.”
The celebration on the ice lasts another couple of minutes, then we make our way to the locker room. The younger guys and the single guys goof off, enjoying the high of a win, while the older guys and those of us with people we’re anxious to talk to hurry through our post-game routines.
The bus is loud and rowdy on the ride back to the hotel, and I enjoy the camaraderie of it all, but I’m on my feet the minute we pull up to the doors, ready to get out and call Indie.
“Ah, new love,” Griffin sing-songs. “Our little Bashy baby can’t wait to leave us in the dust to celebrate with his girl.” He turns to Logan. “Do you think they’ve had phone sex yet?”
Logan chuckles. “If they haven’t, I bet they do tonight. Our boy’s got some adrenaline to work off.”
“Shut up,” I growl. The guys laugh, and my lips twitch. They can be annoying as hell, and they’re way too comfortable getting into everyone else’s business, but I wouldn’t have them any other way. I love these men. They’ve always been there for me, and I know they’re happy things finally seem to be working out with Indie.