As he nodded beside her, she asked about his stellar play over the past week. He shrugged, the smile still on his face. “It’s not just me. The guys are working hard, bringing it every night. Everybody’s chipping in. We’re peaking at the right time. Playoffs are a week away. This is the best time of year, and we’re pumped, our fans are pumped. We can’t wait.”
She thanked him, and Lily could have sworn they exchanged a smile. And though the interview was over, she could still see his jersey in the background. Was he hanging around so he could finally ask her out?
Stop it, Lil. It didn’t help that he’d communicated little and only in texts. Usually, he asked about Daisy. If Lily pushed for more, he’d tell her he had to go do something for “the club.”
Her thoughts were interrupted by two little girls buzzing about having seen their favorite player on TV. A text chimed, and her heart leapt, only to sink when she saw it was a text from Ivy.
Ivy: Did you see our boy?
Lily: Sure did.
Ivy: I think you’re blowing it.
Lily: You’re a bitch, Ivy.
Ivy: Whatever you need to believe.
Lily puffed out a breath and opened her laptop, ready to lose herself in some work for Paige. She should post something about Gage’s interview too. When she opened his Facebook page, she scanned the notifications and stopped on one where he’d been mentioned by someone who appeared to be an everyday fan.
Dave Grimson, Gage Nelson, Quinn Hadley and the boys at Rhein Haus. They were so gracious, autographing stuff and letting us take these pics. Love these guys! Go Blizzard!
Lily clicked on the photo. Her heart dropped to her knees when she saw Gage with a beer in one hand and a pretty blond in the other, a huge smile splitting his face. The blond looked comfortable sitting in his lap, her arms draped around his shoulders. Lily’s eyes darted to the posted date, which only wrecked her further. It had been the night before he left, the night he said he was “hanging with some buddies.” Obviously, he’d lied.
Bands tightened around her chest, and tears stung the backs of her eyes. Her mind spun out of control. Who is she? You never said you were exclusive. Did we have to actually say it? It’s why he’s been so abrupt. But this isn’t like him. There’s an explanation. There has to be. He was mad at me. I pushed him away. A one-night stand. A revenge fuck. Ugh!
The thought of him doing to that woman what he’d been doing to her nearly gutted her, and she doubled over, wrapping her arms around her middle. This is why it’s no good to let someone get close.
Her phone chirped again.
Natalie: The boys are home tomorrow. Woot woot! Wanna join us to greet them?
Lily pulled in a few cleansing breaths and pressed her thumb against her eyelid to stave off gathering tears.
Lily: Thx but can’t. Singing tomorrow. Gage is catching the performance.
Tomorrow. She’d see him tomorrow at the concert. The three of them would be leaving the next day for their getaway. It would be all right. They’d clear the air and work everything out. But as she thought back to the pretty blond, she felt a pang dig deep in her heart.
Lily drove up Gage’s driveway, surprised to find another car parked there. He wasn’t due home yet. Her heart skittered in her chest until she remembered he had a housekeeper and a chef. Must be one of them. She stepped out of the car and wriggled her short skirt into place—again. Stage garb was fine for the stage, but not so much for real life tasks like driving. Oh well. She’d be done soon enough. Besides, she knew how much Gage liked this particular outfit, and she wanted to wow him when he arrived.
“Ready to feed Hobbes?” she said over her shoulder to Daisy.
Daisy threw her hands in the air. “Hobbes!” The few times Daisy had been to Gage’s, she’d been enamored with the cat. And the cat, it seemed, had been enamored with Daisy.
Lily unfastened Daisy’s booster seat as her daughter patted her face, seeming to stare at her makeup job. It was a bit overdone, but it was going to be a long night under the lights. “Pretty Momma.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She gave Daisy a kiss. “Just a few minutes with Hobbes. We need to get you to Aunt Ivy’s.”
Lily’s high heels clicked over the concrete as she and Daisy walked to the front door. She’d been on pins and needles all day, anticipating Gage’s return. She’d missed him—so much—and couldn’t wait to breathe him in. But she was nervous too. How would he react to her after ten days of silence punctuated with his scant messages? He’d confirmed he’d be at the show in a short text this morning, even adding he was looking forward to it. Her heart had lifted when she’d read his message.
Lily punched in the code, opened the front door, and stepped inside. Voices drifted down from upstairs. Maybe the housekeeper had a helper?
Beside her, Daisy bounced in place. “Wanna see Hobbes, Mom.”
“Let’s find out who’s here first. Hello?” she called.
Daisy dashed off toward the mudroom.
“Hello?” came an answer.
Standing in the entryway, Lily swiveled her head between where Daisy had gone and the top of the stairs where two women appeared. Before she could open her mouth to introduce herself, the older of the two snapped, “Just what are you?”
Wow! Rude maid.
The woman ran swiftly down the stairs, facing Lily in short order. The other one had followed behind at a less frantic pace, and when Lily’s eyes landed on her, she let out a gasp. Only to have her attention yanked back to the older one who was looking her up and down, hands on her hips and disgust etched in her features.
“You’re not the maid,” the woman
