Having long passed the formality of a doorbell, he walked into the Hemmings’ house through the garage and found Annie feeding the twins lunch. Jay had stayed at practice and was doing some extra conditioning work with the trainer, so that gave David some time to get Annie’s take on his love life.

Their kitchen was big, bright and modern. It had clean lines, white cabinets and stainless steel. It was a stark contrast to Kate’s traditional, warm décor, but there was a common thread. This was a family home, and just like Kate’s house, the kitchen had a place for finger paintings and pictures of the children.

Annie was wiping down the stainless steel island and smiled as he walked in. “Hey, you.”

The twins turned in their high chairs and squealed with delight as David tickled them from behind.

“I will never get tired of that sound,” he said as he eased onto one of the stools at the counter.

Annie didn’t miss a beat and poured him a glass of iced tea.

“Thanks.” He took a swallow of his drink and wondered how to start the conversation.

“How’s Kate feeling?” Annie dried her hands on a towel and set the twins free. They ran off into their playroom, making motorcycle noises the whole way.

“Good, tired. It’s hard to know.”

“How are you?” Annie grinned as she sipped her coffee.

“Preoccupied, overwhelmed. I can’t stop thinking about her.” He folded his arms on the counter and leaned in her direction. “She doesn’t trust me.”

Annie smirked. “Well, hell, Burke. I don’t trust you either.” She reached her hand across the island and patted his forearm. “But that doesn’t mean she can’t love you.”

“You think there’s a chance?”

“Definitely.” Annie walked around and looped her arms around his neck. It was platonic, sisterly, and just what David needed. “She told you about the baby. Came to you on your turf; that was hard for her.”

“I know. So she must trust me a little.”

“Eh.” She slid onto the stool next to him. “You majorly screwed up. What were you thinking taking Kate out one week and then jumping right back in the saddle with Chelsea?”

“We went out to breakfast. That’s it. I didn’t think.”

“You didn’t think you’d get caught.”

He dropped his head into his arms and tried to block out any thought of Chelsea. “Why doesn’t she trust me?”

“I’m guessing it has to do with her age.”

His head came up and he saw this was the biggie. “What about it?”

“David, she’s insecure. Trust me on this. She thinks that when you see someone younger and prettier you’ll be gone.”

“That’s just stupid.” He’d realized he’d made a mistake as soon as the words came out of his mouth and Annie whacked him on the back of the head.

“It’s not stupid, it’s real. You’re the one who told me she’s afraid of being left. Well guess what, honey, you are a flight risk.”

“Because I’ve dated a lot?”

“Date? You don’t date, you window shop.”

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad.”

“Yeah, it is.” She was dead serious.

All the years David played around, he didn’t think it would mean anything, but it did. Now that there was someone important to him, his past was biting him in the ass. He had to find a way to make Kate understand he wasn’t going anywhere.

He shrugged. “So what do I do?”

“Make her part of your life. Bring her to a game. Take her to a movie. Bring her here and let her meet your friends.” Annie snapped her fingers. “Invite her to the New Year’s party at the Girards’.”

“Really, you think that will help?”

Annie rolled her eyes. “You can’t really be this obtuse.” She paused before continuing. “Dave, do you think being a hockey wife is easy?”

“I’ve never thought about it.”

She leaned back and folded her arms. “Women like Chelsea are predators. They hunt down athletes like a wolf hunts down its next meal. Players’ wives and steady girlfriends are enemies. I’ve seen posts about me on the Internet that have made me cry. I’m a shrew and the twins aren’t really Jay’s and I’m bleeding him for his money and he’s looking to get out of the marriage… it’s endless. They make this stuff up. If Chelsea wanted Jay, it wouldn’t matter that we’re married, she’d go after him anyway. Women have hit on Jay when I’ve been sitting with him, just the two of us. They slip him their numbers like I’m not even there. I can’t even imagine how it is on the road. Frankly, I don’t want to think about it.”

David’s eyes were locked on Annie. It could get bad on the road. Women were a regular part of the landscape and in the past, David had taken advantage. Jay didn’t, but it dawned on him that her husband didn’t have to cheat for the groupies to make Annie, and the other wives, nervous and scared.

“It bothers me and I’m in a happy, stable marriage. I know my husband loves me, but sometimes even I need reassurance. Based on what you told me about her, I can understand why Kate’s keeping her distance. The poor woman already lived with a lying, cheating husband.” Annie rose, walked to the playroom door, and checked on her sons. “You’re the one with the bad track record, so you have to prove to her you’re worth the risk, that you want someone who’s more than a hot body. Because, as you know, unless she’s sure of you, she’ll bolt the first second she thinks you aren’t committed.”

Just then Jay crashed through the side door, and before he acknowledged his friend, the barking dog or the kids who came screeching from the other room, he had his arms around his wife and kissed her. Annie was first in his mind, always. “You giving the big dope some help?”

“I’m trying.” Annie gave Jay another kiss and then wiggled away. “David, Kate’s not the one who should have to change if you want it to work. You have to change. You have to make her feel like she’s more important than anyone else.”

*

Laura sat snuggled against Jack while they watched a movie. It was perfectly innocent. They’d been seeing each other for over a month, they really got along well, and he wanted to hang out at home. The only problem with the whole scene was that she’d cut school, taken the train to the city, and managed to find her way to his apartment in Washington Square.

“Do you want anything?” he asked.

“No, I’m good.” She leaned forward and picked up one of her mother’s books off the coffee table. “Have you read this?”

“Ty recommended it. It’s really good so far. Have you read any of her books?”

Laura shook her head. This was her mother’s first book, and it was published when she was in fifth grade. She flipped it over in her hands, opened the cover and landed on the dedication page. The words made her breath catch.

To Laura,

You are the light in my life…

Past, present, and future.

There was so much she didn’t know and it made her angry. At everyone. Jack’s hand ran over her shoulder.

“You look like you have something on your mind.” He cared about her, he really did.

She looked into his beautiful face and felt her mouth turn up at the corners. “Only you.”

He took one of her hands in his. “I wish I could fix whatever is making you so unhappy.”

Laura drew a breath, and not knowing what made her do it, started talking. “It’s my family. My parents hate each other and my dad’s fiancée is constantly pushing me to do things and say things to make my dad happy, and then I hurt my mother. And she never says anything, but, I don’t know, I feel bad.” Laura laid her head on his chest. “I’m a mess.”

“It sounds like a mess, but it’s their mess.”

“I wish I knew her better, you know.” She breathed out.

Laura thought about Mom having a baby and it made her sad she wouldn’t be part of it. There was someone her mother cared about and Laura didn’t know anything about him. How had this happened?

Jack didn’t say anything, but he kept rubbing her back.