Page 167 of Dark Tangled Truths
Damon shakes his head at Beth, who gives him a pout he’s never been able to resist. “Keats is goalie for now. You can be goalie next time.”
“We barely have a team.” Beth skates to a halt in front of Hawk and narrows her eyes on him. “When are you going to give us more babies?”
Grey’s baby laughs fill the rink as Cam holds his hands, slowly guiding the toddler around the rink. He has another year before the guys will put skates on him. Grey’s more interested in watching his older brother and sister, anyway. Eight, five, and two.
When Keats was born, it was a big mess trying to figure out how to manage four careers and a baby.
It’s easier when it’s off season for Damon. This is his tenth year with the Colorado Titans and probably his last. Coach Mitchell is looking to retire and wants Damon to take over for him at Crowne Mawr. We’ve been talking about it.
I’m usually home between projects, and the kids always visit me on sets when we’re filming.
Of course, Cam and Hawk have done the brunt of raising the kids. Cam works from home most days. His work in animation means he can do a lot from home, but can’t always split his focus between work and the kids, so Hawk only goes into work a couple days a week and works from home too. He’s a senior associate at the law firm and going for partner next year if Damon retires.
I lean back in my chair and breathe, because this is what I need. I still love being on set. Acting or directing or both, butthere are more moments when I’m away that I wish I was here with them.
“Mom!”
Busted. Beth skates to the door in the boards after she spotted me and pulls it open. Keats gives up his goalie position to come over as I make my way down from the back.
Cam lifts Grey to bring him to me as he starts bouncing his knees and callingmommy. Keats removes his helmet and his dark hair spills out of it. I tug on the ends. He keeps saying he wants to cut it, but never does.
His green eyes study me intently. Even at eight he’s gotten tall. Soon he’ll be taller than me.
“Mom, did you see my goal?” Beth scrambles to be in front of Keats.
I meet her blue eyes and shake my head. “Must have been before I got here.”
Cam leans over them to kiss me.
“Kiss, kiss. My turn. Kiss.” Grey reaches for me and I take him into my arms. He peppers my jaw and mouth with kisses. His little hands hold my face.
Cam laughs. Hawk has skated over behind the kids. Damon picks up some of the cones they had out on the ice.
“Grey’s greedy.” Cam reaches for him, but Grey wraps his arms around my neck and buries his head against me.
“Does this mean ice time is over?” Beth looks disappointed. Keats shrugs and heads over to help Damon pick up. “But we just got here.”
“We’ve been here for an hour.” Hawk chucks Beth under the chin. “You’re as bad as Dad when it comes to the ice.”
She smirks and straightens with pride. “I know.”
She leans in and kisses me before racing around the edge of the ice.
“If we weren’t sure on genetics, I’m confident we’d know whose kid she is.” Hawk chuckles and kisses me. Grey touches Hawk’s cheek.
We both look down at his large brown eyes, and he giggles at us.
“There’s not a lot of doubt about these ones.” I smile. My trip was quick to do some pickups, so I was only gone a couple days. I sniff Grey’s head as he snuggles into me.
“You good with Grey, while we get the others changed?” Hawk asks.
“You want to stay with mommy or go with papa?” I ask.
“I stay with Mommy.” Grey clings a little tighter, and Hawk laughs.
“That one though.” He shakes his head. “If Cam and Damon could have a kid...”
“My body would be grateful.” I arch an eyebrow.
