Mr. Charming, page 14
“Why are you here?” Owen asks, pointing at Decker.
“And who are you?” Waylon points at Tedi.
“This is Tedi, she’s Tw—” Henry says, but Tedi interrupts.
“I’m Tedi, and I work for the national league, and this is Decker, third baseman for the Colts.” She sticks out her hand.
Jade’s twin brothers shake her hand.
“Are you together?” Waylon asks.
Tedi leans in and pats Decker’s thigh but thankfully doesn’t leave her hand there. “Yep.”
They nod. “Cool.”
Decker sits up. “You guys are twins, huh?”
“I guess you have twenty-twenty vision, huh?” Owen says with sarcasm.
Jade slaps his arm. “Sit and watch your nephew.” She leans back in her seat and looks at Decker. “Yes, they’re twins. You are too, right? Henry was telling me the other day.”
Decker sits up. “Yeah.”
I don’t know what the deal is, but he certainly doesn’t sound like he loves the fact that he’s a twin.
“It’s how Decker became such good friends with my twin brothers,” Tedi says. “Although Decker and Foster are fraternal, not identical. But our moms were in this twins’ parent group when they were younger since we all lived in the same town.”
“I didn’t know you guys have known one another since you were young,” Kyleigh says.
“She’s robbing the cradle,” Decker says, and Tedi elbows him in the side.
“So, you’re the older one, Tedi. That’s cute. Did you want Tedi when you were younger, Decker? Was she the hot older sister?” Eloise asks.
Jesus, is this a fucking background check Eloise has going here?
He looks at Tedi, and they both laugh as if they have some secret inside joke.
I rub my hands down my thighs, antsy as fuck.
“You could say that.” Decker picks up his drink, and thankfully, Tedi doesn’t kiss his cheek.
“Go, Bodzilla!” Waylon and Owen scream, interrupting the Newlywed Game Eloise and Kyleigh have decided to play with Tedi and Decker.
Jade jumps up with the cheering. “Go, Bodhi, go.” Her hands are up in the air.
Bodhi is skating toward the net, no one around him. All of us rise to our feet, and I wonder what the other parents think about us having ten people cheering for one kid.
We’re all shouting, “Go. Go. Go.”
Bodhi shoots at the net, and the puck goes in to the sound of all of us cheering.
Jade glances over her shoulder at Henry, and they share a smile. That’s what I’ve always wanted. Coming from a family with two parents who were never at my games together, I was always envious of my teammates who had parents who would fawn over their kids. The look Henry and Jade just shared is pure happiness for their kid. They have the real deal. Maybe I’ll find it one day.
I turn back to look at the ice and find Bodhi doing my celly dance like I do when I score. My mouth drops open, and my chest pinches.
Everyone stares at me.
“He’s been practicing it all week,” Henry says, seeing me bewildered.
“Seriously?” I ask, and my chest warms. It’s an honor to have an uncle role with Bodhi, and it’s made me wonder what it would be like to be a dad one day. Although that day isn’t anywhere near, because if anything good came from my childhood, it was figuring out that who you have kids with is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life.
“Remind me to show Bodhi what a real celly should look like after the game,” Rowan says.
Tedi glares at him, and I chuckle.
Why so protective, Tedi?
We continue to watch the game, and I feel slightly bad for the other kids because Bodhi is the best by far. Whether that’s because we’ve been his playmates for so long or he’s just naturally talented, who knows, but by the time the game is over, everyone on our side is happy.
“Man, what a cheering section.” A woman approaches us wearing tight yoga pants, a small top that reveals her stomach, and an open fluffy pink jacket. Her hair is styled perfectly in a ponytail, and she’s wearing a decent amount of makeup. She’s not at all what I think of when I think “hockey mom.”
“Hi, Maci,” Jade says. “Kale played great.”
“How are you, Jade?” Her eyes linger on Henry. “Bodhi was just amazing. Must be his dad’s genes.” She smiles extra wide.
No one tells her Henry and Bodhi don’t share genetics, that Henry adopted Bodhi.
The girls all stand, seeming ready to get out of here.
“Tweetie, right?” She puts her hand out in front of me. Her long, manicured nails scratch my palm when I shake her hand.
“Yeah. Who’s your kid?” I ask.
She doesn’t glance away from me. “Number thirty-three.”
“Left wing. Best position.” I wink.
“I know. He loves you.”
My eyebrows raise.
“You know, in that he looks up to you. You’re his idol. Would you mind meeting him and taking a picture? It will just take a minute.”
I shrug. “Sure.”
I’m not going to be the asshole who denies a kid a picture and a quick greeting.
“Great, I’ll go get him.” Her gaze roams over the group, then she giggles. “The single one, huh?” She places her hand on my shoulder. “Me too. The only single mom in the bunch, can you believe it?”
I smile politely, knowing that this isn’t just some innocent woman. She knows exactly who belongs to whom in this group.
“We’re single!” Owen raises his hand, and Waylon follows.
She laughs. “Sorry, boys, I’m too pretty for jail.”
“Oh, look, the boys are coming off the ice.” Jade walks down, and Henry follows.
Maci follows them. “Come on. He’s going to be so excited.” She loops her arm through mine. “You don’t mind escorting me, do you? I’m always so scared I’m going to fall with these boots.”
The heels of her boots are about four inches high, and I’m wondering who she planned to pick up at her kid’s hockey game. Because I’m pretty sure a woman like Maci is looking for a husband or a plaything everywhere she goes.
I entertain her to be nice to her kid, biding my time before I can get the hell out of here and stop torturing myself.
Thirty
Tedi
“Good thing you don’t have lasers that shoot out of your eyes,” Decker whispers.
I blink. “She’s all over him. Look at her. It’s embarrassing.”
“I know,” Eloise joins in. “I hate how these women just assume our players are single.” Her wedding ring sparkles from the lights above.
“I’m sorry, isn’t he single?” Decker asks.
“Good for Tweetie. He deserves to get some,” Waylon says.
Kyleigh smacks him across the back of the head.
“Hey,” he says, but she gives him a look that makes him stop arguing.
They’re all so close. Even to Jade’s brothers. They’re like a family, just like we were in Florida—before Tweetie and I ruined it for all of us. I mean, they all are a family still, and then once in a while, either Tweetie or I are thrown in there.
“Who wants to skate?” Kyleigh asks, already walking down the stairs.
“I hate rentals,” Rowan whines, following her.
“You probably want to leave, right?” I whisper to Decker, but Conor peeks his head into our conversation.
“Come on. You go in net. I bet I can score against you.”
Decker glances at me, and I see it in his eyes—the competitive juices are flowing. Tweetie used to get that way too. Competitive right down to their bone marrow. How many times did I witness Tweetie throw down with someone just to say he won? Poor Mr. Hawkins didn’t know what happened to him after he told Tweetie that he’d be lost putting a puzzle together after he finished the border. We ended up winning the annual Veteran’s Hall puzzle competition. Tweetie displayed that sad little trophy for a year.
“Have fun,” I say.
Decker grabs my hand. “If I’m going, so are you.” His expression threatens to out me, so I reluctantly follow.
It takes a half hour to get our skates, and I haven’t seen Tweetie since he was taking a picture with the Kale kid. Maybe he left. I hate the disappointment that sinks my stomach with that thought.
Jade joins us as we’re walking away from the rental counter. “That Maci just drives me insane. She wiggled her way into a picture with Tweetie, and I’m pretty sure her hand is on his ass.”
Decker glances at me but says nothing.
I grab my skates, and we’re coming through the tunnel when I see Maci talking to Tweetie. I swallow down that jealous green monster inside me because Decker is right, Tweetie’s single. He can take her home, or get her number, or go on a date with her. Whatever. What do I care?
“Come on,” I say.
Decker groans, following me. “Why do I feel as if this isn’t going to end well?”
“You’re the one who made the bet with Conor.” I stop and turn around. “Actually, you never even put a wager on it. You’re just doing it to say you did it.”
I circle back around and draw back because Tweetie’s right there.
He reaches out, grabbing my hips to steady me. “Sorry. I was just going to get some skates.”
“It’s okay,” I say, glaring behind me at Decker.
“You let Conor get to you, huh?” Tweetie pats Decker on the back and walks out of the tunnel, laughing.
“Why didn’t you catch me?”
Decker holds up his skates and his drink. “How? My hands are full.”
I blow out a breath and shake my head. “No wonder you’re single.”
“Let’s remember who’s doing who a favor here.”
We sit on the benches to put our skates on, Decker practically growling the entire time.
“I do appreciate you,” I say, and he glares at me.
After everyone gets laced up and heads onto the ice, Conor gets Decker set up in the net. “I’m not going to injure you, so I’ll take it easy on you.”
Decker scoffs.
All the boys huddle around and make their rules. Somehow, they’ve found a helmet and pads for Decker, but it’s not a goalie’s helmet, so there’s no visor.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask him.
“Afraid we’re going to injure your boy?” Tweetie skates around me. “You’re doing pretty good there.” His gaze falls down to my skates.
Tweetie is the one who got me skating again. I grew up skating, but after years of not doing it and living in Florida, I was really rusty. The night he got me back on the ice, we went home, and my god… after having his hands on my hips the entire time and feeling so close to him, the sex was explosive. One of our top ten highlights for sure. Which is probably why he’s bringing it up.
“It’s his choice.” I shrug.
Conor gets ready at the center line. The kids who have stayed are cheering him on. It’s clear they want any of the hockey guys to win and Decker to lose.
“Just remember that in the spring, you’re going to be at third base,” Decker calls.
“Bring it.” Conor grins at him, dropping the puck onto the ice in front of him.
“Conor, this is a little juvenile, no?” Eloise asks.
“Watch your husband, baby.” He puffs out his chest.
She rolls her eyes, and I skate over by the girls.
Conor stick-handles the puck for a bit. “Count me down.”
Tweetie skates up next to him. “Three. Two. One!”
Conor starts skating, and I’m fearful for Decker, although he doesn’t appear to be afraid in the least, grinning the closer Conor gets to the net.
Conor circles behind the net, and Decker loses sight of him, allowing Conor to skate around and just tap the puck into the net. Conor raises his arms and does a celly I’ve never seen him do. I wish I had my phone out so I could get some footage of this. Conor laughs as Decker takes off his helmet and tosses it on top of the net, shaking his head, but still has a smile on his face.
“My turn!” A little boy is already skating toward Decker.
He tries to grab his helmet, but the kid is fast.
“No!” Rowan skates toward the kid to grab him, but he’s too late.
The kid swings his stick back, hitting the puck, and it all happens in slow motion. The puck in the air. All of us yelling no. Decker’s shocked expression right before the puck hits him square between the eyes.
Rowan swings his arm around the kid’s waist, swooping him up. Decker falls forward, his hands covering his face.
“Oh my god.” I skate over there, but Tweetie beats me to Decker.
He squats, and everyone circles around us.
“Let’s see,” Tweetie says.
Decker lifts his face, and everyone groans at the blood streaming down his face. He seeks me out, giving me a look to say, “I’m done.”
Thirty-One
Tedi
We’re in the emergency room, Decker and I behind a curtain, waiting for the doctor.
“It doesn’t look that bad,” I say even though it looks very bad. He has two black eyes forming, and I’m fearful his nose might be broken.
Decker just gives me a pissed-off expression, and I don’t blame him.
“You’re the one who accepted the challenge.”
“Well, I wasn’t prepared for a kid to go rogue.” He rocks his head back, closing his eyes.
“At least it was only a kid.” I try to offer a little positivity.
“Would you like to be sitting here? You are aware that the way I earn a living is based on how well I can see the ball, right?” He glares.
I sink down in the seat. “I said I was sorry, like, a million times.”
He picks up his head and sighs, not looking at me. “I get it, Tedi. I get that it’s hard for you with him.”
I stare at my lap.
“I see the way you look at each other.”
I shake my head, still not meeting his gaze.
“Yes. You know, it’s funny. I always had this crush on you when we were younger.”
“What?” I look up, and he’s nodding.
“I’d say it’s just the best friends’ older sister thing. And don’t let your ego inflate too much, because it died quick once I started dating.”
“Gee, thanks. Way to pop my balloon.”
He chuckles. “I remember when you brought Tweetie to Toby’s wedding. You guys were the talk of the night. More so than Toby and Carrie. Everyone said how perfect you two were together. You suited each other so well.”
“We were good together, but that doesn’t mean that—”
“It was the end of the evening, and Foster was drunk, as well as Theo. The two of them were trying to prank Toby into doing something stupid. I walked into the venue, and a lot of the guests had already left. And you and Tweetie were on the dance floor. Your head was on his chest, his arms tight around you. The twinkle of the lights was scattered over the both of you and all over the dance floor. It was the first time I realized that’s what I wanted. You guys were something.” He shakes his head a little, then cringes.
My nose tickles, but I suck back the tears. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I don’t think ignoring the pull you two have toward one another is the right way to deal with this. It actually surprised me when you asked me to be your fake boyfriend.”
“Why?” I frown.
“The entire reason I had a crush on you when we were younger is because of your ability not to take any bullshit. To meet every bend in the road head-on. To never shy away from what you want. I know when your mom left, you took on a role you probably didn’t want to.”
I stiffen. I don’t want to talk about my mom, or any of this actually.
“Where is the doctor?” I stand and peek out of the curtain.
“We’re in the emergency room in Chicago, it’s going to be a while.” Decker is so calm. He’s the opposite of Tweetie.
I wonder if Tweetie’s questioned why I picked someone so different from him. If he were in that bed, he’d be making some jokes and probably blowing up the plastic gloves. I smile to myself, missing that part of him so much.
I sit back down in the chair. “I understand if you want to tap out.”
He sighs as if he’s thinking about it. “Just not ready yet, huh?”
I shake my head.
“Then I’ll keep up this stupid charade,” he groans.
I’m not sure why Decker has a soft spot that has him helping me so much, but I rush to the bed and hug him. “Thank you. Just a little while longer. And I’ll try to keep you from being swindled into joining the group.”
“Sure, you will.” He pats me on the back as though he’s appeasing me and wants me off him.
“In my defense, I thought it would be an easy two hours. We watch kids play hockey, and then we leave. We showed our faces together. I never imagined it would be this.” I grip his hand.
“Oh, sorry.”
I glance over my shoulder to find Tweetie emerging from behind the curtain.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt, I was just checking on the patient.” Tweetie looks uncomfortable and shifts in place.
“Right now, the patient’s hand hurts.” Decker slides his hand out of my grip, flexing and stretching his fingers a few times.
“We’re waiting for the doctor. You guys should go. You don’t have to stay,” I say.
Tweetie sits in the chair on the opposite side of the room. I guess he’s not leaving. “Jade and Henry took Bodhi home. The rest of us are out there feeling like a bunch of assholes.” He sets his gaze on Decker. “I’m sorry, man.”
Decker shrugs. “It’s not your fault. No one saw that kid coming.”
Tweetie cringes.
I tilt my head because he knows something. Decker doesn’t see it, but I do.
“What?” I ask Tweetie, and his eyes meet mine before he stares at his hands in his lap.
“Well… fuck, this is awkward.” Tweetie blows out a breath. “You guys don’t really know Bodhi, but when Jade came back to Chicago last year, he tried to set his dad up with her. And it worked. They’re engaged and living together.” He side-eyes me, and a floating sensation fills my stomach.
