Jaleesa took the suitcase from him. “I'll get you set up here.” She opened the suitcase on the bed and then turned to the small dresser Kai had picked up at the thrift store.
Lani shuffled into the room and eased onto the bed. “My underwear and socks go in the top drawer.”
The thought of handling his mom's underwear made him grateful Jaleesa was there. He left them and went to the kitchen.
A little while later, he heard the TV go on and Jaleesa joined him in the kitchen. She pointed to the living room. “She's settled in front of some talk show.”
“What the hell is with the bedpan? You said she could handle her bathroom issues.”
“She can. She's been making the trip to the bathroom for the last couple of days. I had them bring one just in case she had problems in the middle of the night. It would be more embarrassing for her to wet the bed than to use a bedpan. She probably won't need it.” Jaleesa moved around his kitchen as if it were her own and made a pot of coffee.
“If she uses it, you're coming over to empty it.”
Lees rolled her eyes. “Can we talk about a schedule?”
“What schedule?”
“Mom. She's okay being alone for short periods, but if someone's not here to make her do her exercises, she won't. She's already complaining about the CPM and how she doesn't want to use it.”
“The what?”
“CPMâcontinuous passive motion machine. It basically makes her move her leg. She doesn't like it, but her therapist suggested we get one to make sure she's moving.”
It was all too much to grasp. Right now, all he wanted was the buzzing of the tattoo machine and a client who wanted some ink.
“I have hockey practice tonight. Is that going to be a problem?”
“What time?”
“I leave here at seven thirty and I'm not back until eleven, later if I go out with the team.”
“I can stop by to check on her before she goes to bed and then she should be fine. Since it's her first night here, try to make it an early night in case she needs something?”
“What is she going to do when I'm at work all day? I can come home sometimes to check on her, but I can't babysit.”
“I know. We'll figure it out.” She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “I need a break. This has been so draining.”
Kai looked at his sister and for the first time saw how exhausted she was. She always handled everything and held them together as a family. Now he saw the toll it was taking. He was a bigger asshole than he thought. “I'll figure it out. I'll hire someone to come in and be with her.”
She opened her eyes and stared up at him. “You sure?”
He pulled her into a hug. “It's the least I can do. You've done everything and I've taken it for granted.”
“Does that mean Mom can stay here for good?”
“Hell no. I'll get her back on her feet, then she's all yours.”
Jaleesa slipped away from him, laughing. “Just kidding.”
“Kai,” Lani called from the other room. “What do you have to drink?”
“I have coffee on, Mom,” Jaleesa answered.
“How much waiting on her am I supposed to do?”
Jaleesa lifted a shoulder. “For the first week or so, maybe quite a bit. She can't stand for long periods to cook, and she's still getting used to the cane. Walking and juggling food might be hard. But then, she'll get better, use the cane a little less for short distances, doing more for herself.”
Kai sighed. These next few weeks were going to be miserable.
Chapter Three
“Please, Tommy? I have to get out of here.” Norah folded her hands and batted her eyes at her brother.
“Why are you asking me and not Sean?”
“Because you're my favorite brother?” She added a wide smile for effect.
“Hockey practice isn't a good place for you to hang out.”
“Why not? I'm sure it won't be too crowded. And I like to watch you play.”
“You don't know anything about hockey.”
She shrugged. “I'm willing to learn.” She moved across the room to where he was packing his gym bag. “I've been cooped up here for days. I'm going crazy. Please.”
“If you drive with me, you have to take my car to drive yourself home because we go out for drinks after.”
“I could come with you.”
He pointed at her belly.
She rolled her eyes at him. “I didn't say I'd drink alcohol, just that I'd come with you. You know, be social, talk to people who
aren't
my family.” She watched him weigh what she'd said. “I'll even be your wingman.”
He chuckled. “Like I need help.”
“So is that a yes?”
“We leave in five.”
“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek and went to grab her purse.
Two hours later, her butt was numb and her back ached from sitting in the hard chair watching her brothers practice. Tommy was right. She knew nothing about hockey other than they needed to get the puck into the goal. She even had a hard time figuring out which players were her brothers. With all the gear on, they were almost indistinguishable. Some were taller or bigger, but they moved so fast across the ice, she couldn't focus on any of them.
A woman sat beside her. “Hi, I'm Caitlyn. Who are you watching?”
“Hi. I'm Norah O'Malley, Tommy and Sean's sister.” She thrust out her hand to shake.
“I'm Chris's girlfriend. If you want, you can move over to the section where we all usually sit.” She pointed to a section near the center of the rink.
“We?”
“Wives, girlfriends, family.” She lifted a shoulder. “We hang out during games mostly, but sometimes we tag along for practice and then go out after.”
Norah's entire body buzzed. “I'd love to join you. I just moved back to town and I don't know anyone.”
“Come on then.” Caitlyn stood and held out her hand to help Norah up.
She followed Caitlyn up and over, walking carefully so as to not lose her balance, which was getting more difficult by the day. When they reached the group, Caitlyn pointed to everyone and mentioned names, but Norah knew she wouldn't be able to keep them all straight. She was just grateful to be among other people.
They settled in and watched practice. Caitlyn pointed. “That's Chris. He's right wing. Your brother Sean is left wing.”
“Where's Tommy?” She watched all the players on the ice and still couldn't pick out her brothers.
“He's on offense right now, playing right wing. Sometimes during a game, your brothers will play at the same time and it's a thing of beauty to watch. They get into this rhythm like they have their own language. I think that's why the coach has them on different teams for practice.”
Nothing Caitlyn said about her brothers surprised Norah. Tommy and Sean had always been close.
Just then one guy rammed into another and smashed him against the glass.
“Ouch! Who was that? I thought they were all on the same team.”
“They are. That's Kai. He's playing defense and his job is to make sure the puck doesn't come his way.”
Norah shuddered. “He seemed kind of mean about it. No wonder there are always so many fights in hockey.” She watched for another minute, thinking about the name. What was the likelihood someone else was named Kai? “Is that Tommy's boss?”
Caitlyn shrugged. “Tommy knows him outside of hockey, but he's a quiet guy. He doesn't talk much so it never occurred to me to ask.”
Norah absorbed the information. Kai appeared to be a man of few words and not just around her. She glanced over her shoulder to try to figure out who was there to watch Kai. It shouldn't have mattered, but she wanted to know.
As if sensing what Norah was doing, Caitlyn added, “He doesn't bring anyone. Ever. Not to games or practice or to the bar after. I don't think he's ever brought anyone to the end-of-the-season party either. He's kind of a loner.”
Norah said nothing but returned her attention to the game. Now she was doubly glad she'd talked Tommy into bringing her with them. She liked her strange flirtation with Kai. Tommy and Sean would throw a fit if they caught wind of it, but she didn't care.
She needed something to feel normal and interesting and attractive now more than ever. Especially since her conversation with Avery. All she'd been able to think about since the call was her time with him. It wasn't a fling; they'd had real feelings for each other. The fact that he thought she'd lie about the baby being his really stung. Worse was his distance, offering no input.
Moira had been right. He needed time to think about it. It had to have been a blow to a guy who thought she was calling to make plans for the end of summer. Guilt poked at her for ignoring him for months. He'd deserved better. And if she'd invited him into this whole process earlier, he might've been willing to help her decide what to do. She owed him an apology.
A buzzer sounded and guys moved around on the ice. Her gaze tracked Kai. He wasn't as fast or graceful as some of the other guys, but he was no less interesting to watch. He suddenly spun around, skates skidding to a stop, and looked directly at her. At least that was how it felt. Her skin prickled and a wave of heat washed over her, making her light-headed. She swallowed hard.
Caitlyn's attention was back on her. “Are you okay? You're looking a little pale.”
“Yeah. I just got hot all of a sudden.”
Caitlyn nodded. “Hot flash. My sister had them all through her last trimester.” She dug around in her bag and pulled out a bottle of water. “Here. This might help.”
Norah took the bottle and chugged half.
“First one?”
Norah didn't know if she was asking if it was her first pregnancy or her first hot flash, but it didn't matter since the answer was the same. She nodded and sipped more water.
“Sit tight for a few minutes and it'll pass.”
Norah forced a smile and prayed Caitlyn was right. A hot flash would disappear, but she wasn't as sure about the feeling she got when Kai looked at her.
* * *
Kai was miserable. Practice had barely taken the edge off his irritation. He wished his mom would just yell and bitch like other women. Instead, she made small comments he was supposed to read something into. And that didn't even touch on him trying to understand her pain or what he could do to make her feel better.
Jaleesa had tried to reassure him that he'd be fine, but he had doubts. A lot of them. He changed after practice and checked his phone. Jaleesa texted to let him know Mom was in bed asleep. He looked at his teammates who were all getting ready to go to McGinty's. One beer wouldn't make him too late.
He walked into the bar and sought out the rest of his team. The guys with wives and girlfriends had pushed together a few tables. The single guys held back, some sitting at the bar, others at tables, mostly waiting to see if they'd pick up company for the night. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option for him.
Sitting on a stool, he set his phone on the bar in case his mom called. He ordered a beer and when the bartender turned, he added a shot. If he was only staying for one, he wanted it to count. As he waited for his drink, something shifted, drawing his attention. Norah. No way would he acknowledge her. He didn't understand why she kept showing up in his life.
The girl, however, couldn't take a hint and sat on the stool beside him. The bartender set down his drinks and Kai downed the shot.
“Hi. Buy me a drink?”
His gaze slid to her belly.
She rolled her eyes. “A Sprite. Why does everyone feel the need to do that? Look at my stomach. As if there's some chance I might forget I'm pregnant.”
Kai waved the bartender over so she could order. Then he slid money on the bar to pay for the drinks.
“Thanks. Interesting game.”
He sipped his beer and looked at her. He had no idea what game she was playing. If she were his woman, there'd be no way she'd be sitting in a bar chatting up some other dude. Pregnant or not, but definitely if she were carrying his child.
His woman. His child. The alcohol hadn't even hit his system yet, but he was thinking like a drunk.
“Shouldn't you be with your brothers?”
“They're hitting on some girls at the other end of the bar.”
“Maybe it's time for you to go home.”
She twisted on the stool and swirled her straw in her drink. “Did I do something to piss you off?”
“No.” Another drink of beer.
Norah stared at him as if she were waiting for more information. Caitlyn stepped up to the bar and ordered a pitcher. “Hey, Kai, Norah. Tommy was saying something about you going back to school. How much more do you have left?”
“About a year, maybe a year and a half depending what credits will transfer, but then I'll have my nursing degree.”
The bartender slid a pitcher over to Caitlyn. She paid him and turned back to Norah. “Better not let the guys know. It's hard enough getting them to go to the doctor when they get hurt. If they know you're a nurse, they'll use it as an excuse to never get checked out.”
Caitlyn left with the pitcher, but her conversation stayed with Kai. This girl was going to be a nurse. If she weren't pregnant, she'd be the answer to his problems. She needed a job and he could pay her to take care of Lani. But she was pregnant, and if that wasn't bad enough, every time she saw him she flirted. He didn't need any part of that.
He chugged the rest of his beer and stood.
“Leaving so soon?” Norah asked.
“Yeah.” As he walked through the bar, he felt her eyes on him. He needed to get as far from her as possible, especially when he started thinking about giving her access to his life.
He'd had a hard enough time reconciling playing hockey with Tommy and then hiring him at the studio. In his world, things were separate, distinct. It was how he'd been able to function for years. People from the studioâclients, employeesânever saw him outside the shop. He never brought his childhood friends anywhere, only the poker game in his basement. Hockey was team time.
If all the parts bled together and he fucked something up, his entire world would implode. Having Norah tag along at hockey was more than enough when he'd already seen her at the studio and she talked about getting a tattoo. He didn't need her in his home as well.
He drove home and crawled into bed. Even though his mom was sound asleep, not making any noise, the presence of another person in his house set him on edge. It was like he could hear her dreaming and breathing and taking up his space. He punched his pillow and rolled over. He knew he was being ridiculous.
“Kai.”
He rolled over and pulled his pillow over his ear before he heard it again.
“Kai!”
Then it registered that his mom was calling. He shot out of bed and ran to her room. Fuck. It was still dark outside. “What is it, Mom? Are you okay?”
“I need the bathroom and the stupid cane fell out of my reach. I can't get up.”
Even though he didn't want to, he flipped on the light, momentarily blinding them both. He blinked and looked around for the cane. Bringing the cane to her, he offered his arm to get her out of bed.
“I can do it,” she said, but they both knew it was a lie.
He helped her from the bed. She hobbled from the room and he sank onto the edge of the mattress to wait for her to come back. He'd wanted to follow her to the bathroom to make sure she didn't fall, but he knew it would piss her off.
Sleep tugged at him while he sat and it took all of his control to not lie back. Finally, Lani came shuffling back into the room.
“Go to bed. I'm fine.”
“Lees got you a bedpan if you need it for the middle of the night. You know, in case I'm not here.”
She sniffed. “Like you have somewhere better to be at three in the morning. I'm not an invalid. I've no use for a bedpan.”
He nearly sighed because he hated the idea of a bedpan almost as much as she did. “Do you need more pain meds?”
“I'm fine. Just tired. Now get out of my bed.”
He stood and held her elbow to help get her in. She didn't try to shake him off this time and he wondered how much pain she was in.
Once she was settled, he stumbled back to his room and tried not to think about how many more nights like this he had in store.
* * *
Norah sat at the table tapping her fingers and then her toes and then played with the napkin dispenser. She'd spoken to Teagan, but had no idea what she looked like. Glancing around the small coffee shop, Norah took note that she was the only pregnant woman, so at least she was easy for the adoption counselor to spot.
A small tap on her shoulder and she turned.
“Norah?”
Norah moved to stand, but Teagan waved her off and took the seat across from her.
“Hi,” Norah said, and clasped her hands in her lap beneath her belly. “I'm really nervous.”
“There's nothing to be nervous about. I'm here to offer information. You don't have to decide anything today. We're just two girls talking.”