Chapter 9

“Okay, fine.” Jodie turned back to the door. “Stay here with Nick, Zee.”

Zyana stood in her tiny boots and pink jacket, her dark curls rioting out around her pink hat. She and Nick stared at each other.

“How’s daycare?” he asked.

“Well.” She heaved a sigh and threw her hands up. “There are a lot of bad kids there! Fwowing things! Wunning with scissors! Yelling!” She shook her head. “Then the leader yelled at them too, and it was vewy upsetting.”

He blinked at her. “Sorry to hear that.” Bad kids? Was this really a good place for her to be? “Running with scissors is pretty serious stuff.”

“Yes. One boy even said a bad word!”

“Oh no.”

“He got in twouble,” she added with some satisfaction and raised little eyebrows. “I did not get in twouble.”

“Of course not.” This was the most she’d ever conversed with him. It was like talking to a tiny teenager. “I guess you’re much more mature than they are.”

“Yes.” Her eyes widened. “Mommy says I need to be a…good…good zample. And help the leaders.”

“That sounds like a plan. You can probably help a lot.”

“I will twy.” She gave a firm nod. “Do you know what is the biggest animal in the wowld?”

“A whale.”

She frowned. “An animal that lives on the land.”

His eyebrows flew up. “Oh. Um. What?”

“Elephant.”

“Oh. Of course.”

“And did you know that elephants are the only animal that can’t jump?”

“I did not know that.”

Christ. The kid was smarter than he was.

Jodie emerged from the house carrying a big seat. “Okay. Let’s go.”

He took it from her and carried it to the garage.

“I’ll hook it up,” Jodie said, leaning into the backseat. He tried not to look at her ass as the black fabric of her pants stretched over it. He failed. “You have to tether it…”

She got it set up, backed out, and straightened. “Okay, Zee, hop in.”

She buckled Zyana into the seat and climbed into the front passenger seat herself. “Nice SUV.”

Her scent filled the closed-in space, something fresh and playful that made him think of pink flowers. “Thanks.”

As he turned onto North Southport, he felt her eyeing him. “What?”

“Why are you being so nice to us?”

He frowned. “I’m always nice.”

“Ah.” She blew out a breath. “Okay, true. But most of the time I get the feeling you don’t really want to be nice. You’re just putting up with us.”

His jaw tightened. He ran his tongue over his top teeth. “Sorry. Nothing personal. I don’t really like people that much.”

“No! Really?”

His sideways glance caught her smile, and his heart bumped. One corner of his mouth lifted. “You figured that out, huh?”

“Pretty much. But…I’m curious about why.” Her voice was gentle, even though her statement was intrusive. Nosy.

“I don’t know.”

“Huh.” He absolutely picked up the disbelief in her voice. “Turn right at the next light.”

He nodded and made a lane change. Slush was piling up on the roads, and it was getting slippery.

Should he tell her that Brick wanted to ask her out?

Nah.

“Maybe I should buy a car,” Jodie said. “It would probably make life easier here.”

He nodded.

“I hate buying cars,” she continued. “Not that I’ve done it a lot. But pushy car salesmen creep me out, and it’s frustrating because I don’t know anything about cars. They could tell me anything. I know I’ll get ripped off.”

He made the turn, saying nothing.

“I can probably only afford a used car. And that’s scary too because you don’t know what you’re getting, and there’s no warranty. Or probably not, depending how old the car is.”

He just let her keep talking. It was easier.

“There’s the daycare.” She pointed at the bright sign. “You can drop us off in front.”

Pulling up to the curb in a loading zone, he said, “I’ll wait and drive you to work.”

She widened her eyes at him. “That’s okay, Nick. You need to get to your practice.”

“I have time. Weather’s getting worse.”

She hesitated, nodded, then crawled into the back to get Zyana out of the car seat. “Okay, pumpkin, let’s go.” She lifted Zyana out and grabbed the bag. “Back in a few.”

Nick nodded and tapped his hand on the steering wheel, watching her walk into the building, her head bent as if listening to Zyana. It was about five minutes before she returned.

She opened the door and hopped in amid a swirl of snowflakes and that sexy, energizing scent. “Okay! She’s settled there.”

He put the vehicle in drive. “Uh…is it a safe place for her?”

“What?” She shot him a wide-eyed look. “Of course, it is. You think I’d send her somewhere that’s not safe?”

Of course, she wouldn’t. “She was telling me there are a lot of bad kids there.”

Jodie laughed. “Oh. She does like to be the perfect one. She’s also a bit of a drama queen.” She paused. “No idea where she gets that from,” she muttered.

“Okay. Well. That’s good. She had no trouble adjusting?”

“Oh, there were a few tears the first day. Less the second day.” Her voice wobbled a little, which told him there’d probably been tears on both sides. “They assured me she was fine once I was gone. The people there seem really great; they’re giving her lots of hugs and attention. I kept the first few days short, to help with the transition.”

“And you’re doing okay with the transition?”

She shot him a surprised look, then one corner of her mouth lifted in a wry smile. “It’s hard. We were together all the time for a few weeks while we moved. I miss her.”

Yeah, he knew that feeling.

“But it’s good for her to be with other children,” she added. “She needs that.”

“You plan on giving her any brothers or sisters?” Dammit, why was he encouraging her to talk?

“Gah. I don’t know. I’ve thought about it. I love kids, and I’d totally have more, but being a single mom…maybe one’s enough.”

He nodded again. “Where am I going?”

She gave him the Lincoln Park address of their office, and he nodded.

“So what do you do at a practice?”

He felt her interested gaze on him. There she went again, asking questions. “Bunch of stuff. Depends on how many games we’ve played lately. Normal day like today we’ll have a team meeting, then a special teams meeting. Then we eat. We eat a lot.”

She smiled. Again, that smile struck him right in the heart, something about it so appealing and bright.

“We do some training in the gym, then we get on the ice and do different drills. Right now we’re really working on our power play.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“When the other team has a penalty. They’re short a player, so we have an advantage.”

“Should be easy to score if you have one more player than them.”

“Ha. You’d think. Right now our power-play percentage sucks, it’s like eighteen percent.”

“Oooh. Yikes.”

“You have no idea what that means.”

She laughed. “Nope.”

“I don’t usually play on the power play,” he said. “But we’ve had some injuries, and Coach is putting me on the second unit.”

“That’s good?”

“Yeah, sure. I like playing more minutes, who doesn’t?” He ignored the feeling that he didn’t deserve it. “Anyway, there are power-play systems we practice.”

“Cool.”

“Then some guys stay on the ice for some individual work.” Chaser’d been doing a lot of work with Danny, one of their assistant coaches, because of his goal-scoring funk. “Or do some conditioning work. Then we eat again.”

She laughed. “And then you’re free.”

“Sort of. Some days we have other obligations, like some of the community work the team does or different promotional things. I do volunteer work on my own as well.”

“Really?” Again he felt her gaze on him.

He shrugged. “Sure. Most of us do.” He turned onto North Clybourn.

She directed him to their office, in a small brick building with an unassuming exterior. He studied it, curious about what went on inside. He imagined pictures of naked people and sex toys everywhere. Okay, he was crazy.

“Thank you for the ride.” She unbuckled her seatbelt. “It really wasn’t necessary, but I appreciate it.”

He nodded. “No trouble. Have a good day.”

“Thanks. You too…have a good practice.”

The air in the car went from vibrant to flat without her presence. She waved as she strode to the door, and he put the car in gear again to head to the Moen’s Center.

He kept thinking about her smile, her laugh…shit, if Brick asked her out and she went…

He blew out a breath. None of his business.

He had to slam on the brakes when a car in front of him slid sideways on the ice, and his own vehicle skidded a little. Jesus. It was getting ugly out here. He needed to focus on driving and stop thinking about Jodie’s smile and the way she smelled and how fucking sweet she was to her daughter.

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The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Chicago, calling for a foot or more of heavy blowing and drifting snow over most of the eastern and southern portions of the Chicago area Wednesday into the overnight hours. North to northeast winds will strengthen, gusting over fifty miles per hour creating near whiteout conditions at times. Heaviest snowfall is expected during the late afternoon into the evening hours and overnight.

“We’re gonna be snowed in for sure.” Bomber looked at Nick in the players’ lounge at the Moen’s Center after practice. “You coming to my place too, Nicky? We’re gonna stop at the grocery store and pick up provisions.”

A bunch of guys were going to Bomber’s place, planning on being snowed in for days, playing videogames and poker, eating junk food, and drinking beer.

“Never mind the grocery store,” Chaser said. “We need to stop at the liquor store.”

Nick studied his teammate. Chaser had apparently just broken up with Jordyn Banks. Jordyn had gone back to Los Angeles and her music career. On top of the fact that Chaser hadn’t been playing great all season and was riding the pine more than he liked, this breakup had really kicked his ass. Apparently he’d been pretty serious about Jordyn, because he was lower than snail shit. And that made Nick a little worried for his buddy. “You okay, Chaser?”

“Oh yeah, never better.”

Clearly this was not the case, but Nick knew better than to push it in front of everyone else. He’d keep an eye on him, but just not tonight. If Nick was going to be snowed in, it was going to be at his own place. It had been snowing when they’d arrived for practice, but it couldn’t be that bad. The storm probably wouldn’t turn into anything much. “I’m going home,” he said. “But thanks.”

He finished up the delicious beef stew that had been one of the many choices set out for them for lunch—tender beef and lots of veggies.

But a short while later when he drove out of the underground parking area of the Moen’s Center where players parked, his vehicle was assaulted by gale-force winds hurling icy snowflakes. Visibility was nearly nil, snow swirling in the air and piling up in drifts. Inside with his heated seat and warm air blasting, it was comfortable, but wow, this was getting bad.

The slush from earlier was freezing, making driving conditions hazardous. He slowed his pace when he passed a two-car crash at an intersection, then watched another car slide right through a red light, luckily without getting hit.

Maybe the guys had a good idea, stocking up on food and booze. The radio reports weren’t sounding good. He did a mental inventory of his fridge and cupboards. He hadn’t shopped for a while…they were supposed to be flying to Vancouver tomorrow for a game. So a stop at Jewel-Osco might be a good idea.

The parking lot was nuts—and not just because of the snow and ice. People were apparently starting to panic about the blizzard and the lot was full, also people were shitty drivers and didn’t know how to park. Jesus.

He pushed a cart through crowded aisles, throwing all kinds of shit into it, along with bottled water, a dozen beers, and some wine. As he stood in a long line to check out, his mind wandered to Jodie. Did she have enough food?

He pulled his phone out and brought up her name in his contacts. He eyed the phone, then shook his head and shoved it back in his pocket. She wasn’t his problem.

Finally he was done. He loaded the groceries into his vehicle, and once more started home, which was a painfully slow process in the snow piling up on the streets. When he turned onto West George, he had to stop because a car was stuck.

He climbed out and went over to see if he could help. Someone coming the other way down the street had also stopped. The dude in the car was spinning his wheels, making the situation worse.

“Turn your wheel,” he told the guy through his open window, making a circling motion with his hand. “To the right.”

“I know what I’m doing,” the guy said.

Nick’s chin jerked down, and he pursed his lips. “You want help or not?”

The guy rolled his eyes and turned the steering wheel so the tires were now straight.

“Put it in reverse,” Nick called, moving to the front of the car. “We’ll push.”

The guy gave it way too much gas, spinning his wheels again, but the other man who’d stopped to help leaned his weight into the front of the car along with Nick and…success! They got the car out of the ruts.

“Okay, you’re good.” Nick tapped the hood. “Easy on the gas.” He looked at the other guy. “Thanks, man.”

“Thank you.” They saluted each other, and Nick returned to his SUV and followed the car he’d just freed slowly down the street.

The radio reports were saying buses might have to stop running. Why the hell weren’t they plowing the streets? This was crazy.

At home he put away the food, but now he kept thinking about Jodie and Zyana out in the blizzard, trying to get home. Shit.

He eyed the coach house out his back door. Maybe they were home already? Hopefully Jodie had heard the storm warnings. He didn’t need to check on them. They were not his responsibility.

Ah hell. He shoved his feet into boots, grabbed a parka, and stepped out into the howling winds. Christ. He kept his head down as he fought his way through snowy gusts and drifts of snow to the coach house. He rapped on the door. No answer.

He exhaled a sharp breath. It was crazy to go out in this again. Maybe she’d gone home with Kendra. Once more he pulled out his phone. He debated with himself for a moment then tapped the screen to call Jodie.

No answer.

Well, fuck.

Back in his house, he resigned himself to the fact that he couldn’t just let it go. He grabbed his keys and headed out again. First stop—Jodie’s office. He pulled up out front, put his hazard lights on, and jumped out. The door was unlocked, and he stepped into a spacious office area, all modern and black and white. Jodie was just putting on her coat and looked up at him in surprise. “Nick.”

“Hey. You’re still here.”

“Just leaving. Everyone else left a few minutes ago because of the weather.”

“It’s a fucking disaster out there,” he said roughly. “You should have left hours ago.”

She frowned at him. “We were working. We didn’t realize how bad it was until a little while ago.”

“Buses aren’t running anymore.”

“What?” Her eyes widened. “Seriously?” She rushed to the door and peered out. “Oh my God. It is bad.” She turned to him. “What are you doing here?”

“I was worried you wouldn’t be able to get Zyana. Or get home.”

“I have to get Zyana!” Panic edged her voice. She clasped her hands together.

“I’ll take you.”

She blinked rapidly. “Um. Okay. Holy crap.” She zipped over to a desk and picked up her purse. “Okay, let’s go.”

She locked the building up behind her, setting an alarm, and followed him through the snow to his vehicle. She was wearing boots, but they were short fashion boots, and were now probably full of snow.

“Wow.” Inside the vehicle, she was breathless from the wind. “It’s crazy out there.”

“Yeah. I’m surprised the daycare didn’t call you to come early. The whole city is shutting down.”

“The city can’t shut down.”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t happen often, but it happens.”

It was growing darker, especially because of the heavy cloud cover, and with the blowing snow it was hard to see anything. Lights of other cars were faintly glowing orbs through the blizzard and it was also hard to see what lane he was in. He kept his pace slow despite Jodie’s vibrating anxiety about getting to Zyana, which he had to admit, he shared. It wouldn’t help if he got them in an accident though.

“I tried to call you, but I couldn’t get through.” He turned a corner carefully.

Jodie pulled her phone out of her purse to check it. “Oh hell,” she said. “You’re right. My phone’s dead. Shit. The daycare probably tried to call too.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “Gah! I’m a terrible mother!”

“No. You’re not.” He shot her a sideways glance. How could she even think that? “You are the furthest thing from a terrible mother.”

She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth now, fingers gripping her useless phone.

“Okay, here we are.” He pulled up in the same spot where he had earlier when they’d dropped off Zyana. “Want me to come in?”

“No, it’s okay.” She already had the door open and was half out. He watched her run inside, or rather attempt to run, the wind buffeting her, white swirling around her. She disappeared inside the building—they were still open, a good sign, although he didn’t know what they’d do or where they’d go with Zyana or any other kids still there.

He waited, tapping the steering wheel, the SUV rocking as the wind battered it, willing her to hurry so they could get the hell home. Traffic had thinned, with most people heeding the warnings to stay off the streets.

Two figures emerged, fighting their way to the vehicle. At that moment, he realized he still had Zyana’s car seat tethered in the back. Thank God he hadn’t even thought to take it out and return it. He jumped out and hurried around to lift Zyana in while Jodie tossed the backpack inside as well.

“Hey, Zee. Let’s get you buckled in.”

As he pulled away from the curb, a car coming toward them lost control and spun out in front of them.

Jodie shrieked and grabbed his arm. “Oh my God!”

“It’s okay.” His own heart had lurched as the vehicle slid toward them. Thank fuck it had stopped before hitting them. Luckily, they weren’t stuck and just had to back up and steer around the other vehicle.

“It’s the apocalypse,” Jodie stated, releasing his arm. “Snowpocalypse. Snowmageddon.”

Yeah, and she’d wondered where that dramatic streak in Zyana came from. Ha.

“Might take a little longer to get there,” he said. “But we’ll make it.”

“You seem to know how to drive in this.”

“I grew up in Canada. It’s like this all winter there.”

She laughed. “Bullsh…I mean, baloney.”

He smiled. “So did they try to call you?”

“Yes!” She smacked her forehead. “I feel terrible. Zyana and another girl were the only ones left there, everyone else had already been picked up. The director and one leader were with them. I hope they make it home okay.” She banged her head into the headrest. “Idiot.”

“Hey. Shit happens. I mean…” He glanced over his shoulder. “Sorry.”

She huffed out a breath and smiled.

He focused on navigating through the storm and finally they were safely inside his garage.

“Wow, that was insane.” Jodie shook her head.

“Little bit, yep.”

He handed Jodie the backpack and lifted Zyana out of her seat, setting her on the garage floor in her little boots. “There you go.”

They all traipsed through the snowdrifts at the side of the garage, and Jodie opened the door to the coach house. Snow gusted into the house through the door and he followed them in. Just to make sure everything was okay.

“Cold, cold, cold, cold, cold,” Zyana chanted.

“We’ll get you warmed up, sweetie.” Jodie flicked on a light and dropped the backpack on the floor. “We made it.” She looked up and met his eyes. “Thank you, Nick. Seriously. You didn’t need to do that, but…I’m grateful.” She sucked in a quivery breath. “Not sure what I would have done.”

“You could’ve called me.”

“With my dead phone.” She rolled her eyes.

“The daycare would let you use a phone. Hey.” He stepped closer to her. She was seriously down on herself about this. “You would’ve figured things out. I don’t know you very well, but there’s one thing I do know about you—there’s no way you would ever let anything bad happen to Zyana.”

She gazed back at him, eyes shiny. “Th-thank you.”

He nodded. “Okay. Well. I’ll head home. I have a feeling none of us are going anywhere tomorrow. Might as well settle in.”

Just as he turned the doorknob, the lights went out.