Page 69 of One Kind Goal

Chapter Eleven

Sawyer noted how Morgan had stiffened every time he said we. That was okay. If she needed time to get used to the idea of being on his team, he’d give it to her. In the meantime, he’d keep saying we and keep hoping she wanted there to be a we. He’d never wanted someone more than he wanted Morgan. And it was more than the physical stuff. Granted, exploring Morgan’s body was like riding his favorite amusement park ride—anticipation, thrills, elation, weightlessness, freefall—but there was more to this connection he felt with her. The way they’d fallen into this comfortable rhythm at these cottages told him she was what he’d been searching for. She fit like a hockey stick in his hands and he wanted to see what goals they could make together.

He and Nia followed Morgan as she walked around Austin’s house toward Charlie’s helicopter. They’d downed a quick lunch at Cups Café after skating and Sawyer sincerely hoped Nia would take to flying and not be revisiting that lunch if she got sick being in the air. As he thought about asking Charlie if barf bags were on the chopper, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out and tapping the screen, he saw Brett’s name pop up.

“Hey, man,” he said, slowing his walk.

“Dude, how is hiding in Vermont with Morgan going?” Brett asked.

“Ah, good.” Sawyer glanced ahead, enjoying the sway of Morgan’s hips as she took Nia’s hand. “Very good.”

“Wow, it must be,” Brett said. “I detect no bad mood in your voice and a broken arm that takes you out of the game should be causing the mother of all bad moods.”

“Right? I should be pissed as hell,” Sawyer agreed. “Instead I’m having a fucking ball.”

“Good for you, man.” Brett’s sincerity reminded Sawyer how great the Anchors team was. He was a lucky bastard, getting to work with his best friends. “I called because we’re in Montreal tonight. Was thinking maybe you and your lady friend might want to head up for the game. We miss you, dude.”

Sawyer chewed on his bottom lip as Nia hugged Charlie. He would absolutely love to take Nia and Morgan to a game. He’d rather show off for them on the ice, but sitting next to them as his team played would be awesome too. He’d love to see his buddies as well. The problem, of course, was Carina. She’d absolutely flip if he took Nia to a press-heavy hockey game.

Although . . .

Carina had been a little less restrictive when he’d talked to her yesterday. He didn’t want to press her or take advantage of the fact that she was most likely distracted by her new relationship with Alan right now. But he also didn’t want to let an opportunity slip by.

“Can I call you back?” he asked Brett.

“Sure. Need to check with Morgan first?” Brett chuckled. “You’re whipped.”

“Fuck you, man. You’d be whipped too if you could catch the attention of a woman half as hot as Morgan.”

“True that, asshole. True. That.” Brett laughed again. “Okay, call me back. I hope you can come.”

With a peek up to see Morgan and Austin throwing snowballs with Nia as Charlie prepped the helicopter, Sawyer hit Carina’s contact.

“What’s wrong? Is Nia okay?” Carina asked as soon as she picked up.

“More than okay,” he said. “Currently she’s having an epic snowball fight with Morgan and her brother. Her sister-in-law is a helicopter pilot and we’re about to see Vermont from the air.”

“Wow, that sounds like fun,” Carina said. “Nia will no doubt love it.”

“She pretty much loves everything, doesn’t she? She’s excited to know things and try stuff. I love how much she likes to learn.”

“Yeah. She asks questions all the time. I think she’ll make quite the scientist someday.”

“You’ve no doubt encouraged her,” Sawyer said. “You’ve done a phenomenal job with her, Carina. Truly.”

“Thanks. Spending time with you will make her even more well-rounded.”

He loved hearing that. “That’s why I’m calling actually. She mentioned she’d like to see a hockey game and I obviously can’t play right now, but the Anchors have a game in Montreal tonight and one of my teammates called and suggested I go to the game with Morgan. They don’t know about Nia and I can keep it that way if you—”

“Sawyer,” Carina interrupted. “Enough rambling.”

He hadn’t been aware he’d been rambling, but as he took a moment to review what he’d said . . . yeah, he’d been rambling. “Sorry.”

“No need to be sorry,” Carina said. “I’m the one who should apologize for making you feel as if you need to state your case if you want to see or do something with your own daughter.” She puffed out a breath. “Alan has a daughter too and I see how close they are. I want that for you and Nia, Sawyer. I honestly do.” Another breath rushed out as if Carina was psyching herself up to be brave. “You can take Nia to the game. Her passport is actually still in that purple suitcase from the last trip I took her on if you need it. You can introduce her to your teammates. Promise me you’ll keep her from the media though, Sawyer. I don’t mind if the world knows hockey star Sawyer Lundin has a daughter, but I don’t want them to plaster her face everywhere.”

“I don’t want that either,” Sawyer said, his heart so full in his chest right now. “I just want to be a part of Nia’s life and have her in mine. I don’t want to keep her a secret from the people in my life anymore.”

“I understand,” Carina said, a note in her voice that hinted she wasn’t entirely convinced this was a good idea, but she was trying to be fair to him.