Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
I make it through the remainder of my classes and manage to even force myself to focus enough to finish part of an assignment before driving to the preschool.
“Luci?” I turn to find Mrs. Hutchins waving toward me as I’m walking into Cole’s classroom to pick him up.
“Hi Mrs. Hutchins.” She motions behind me and that familiar little weight slams into my legs. I crouch down and hug him.
“I wanted to talk to you about our Thanksgiving program this week. Cole is going to be in it and he doesn’t want his father to know about his part, so we need your help.” She gazes down at him with a smile.
I look at him. “Cole?”
His eyes are huge as he smiles hopefully. “I want to surprise them. I don’t want them to know what I am until they see me. Like the big TA DA!” He spreads his arms wide as he jumps and I laugh.
“I see. What is he, Mrs. Hutchins?”
“The turkey. And he has two lines you’ll need to help him practice. We’ve been working on it in class. But I would love for him to have a really over-the-top costume if you know what I mean.” She smiles widely. “I know you’re his nanny, but he talks about you all the time and he said you’d help him surprise his father and uncles.
I stare down at those silvery blue eyes that are as compelling as his fathers. I can do that?
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I got it.” She hands me the folder with a few photos of her ideas and his lines. We leave and I buckle him in before sitting in my seat. “Cole Reed. What were you going to do if I said no?”
“Why would you say no, Luci?” He truly looks confused and I chuckle. Hard to know you’re completely owned by a four-year-old.
“Alright, I know just where to go for this costume. Let me call Sydney first, because Barrett has his on Thursday and he needed brown pants too.”
I call her before we leave. “Hey Syd, Coco is going to be the turkey in his Thanksgiving school program and we need to know where you got Barrett’s brown pajamas. Oh and this is a surprise for his family, they don’t know what he is.”
“Good thing I’m super fabulous at keeping secrets, Coco. I can tell you where I got them, but I’m going to need something from Coco in return.” She teases him.
“What Sydney?” He shouts.
“I want to come watch. Can I?” I smile wider at that. Syd is the best.
“YES!” Cole is grinning from ear to ear. “I’m going to have lots of people to watch me.”
“We’ll have to get his autograph before he becomes too famous. Go to Kid’s Corner for pajamas in every color. Are you making this costume Luci Lou?”
“I am. We’re heading to the teaching store first.”
We walk into the campus store for the education majors which has every kind of craft supply for the student teachers and other child development classes. In the holiday section, I point out the feathers, colored foam and felt we’ll need. Grabbing stuffing and some orange socks, I turn around and slam into a large wall. Except as usual, it’s a human being.
Maxton Porter stares down at me with a smirk. I back away, tucking Cole firmly behind me.
“Little mouse, what are you shopping for?”
“Nothing important. Excuse me.”
He advances a step when I step back. “You know I was thinking about what that younger Reed asshole said. Maybe he’s right. Maybe we should go out on a date.”
My eyes widen in horror. I say nothing, waiting for the punchline. He leans down his face way too close to mine. “I think you’d like that. How about I pick you up tomorrow night at six?”
“No.” My brain answers fast.
His face hardens. “Little mouse, I don’t think you understand what a big deal this would be. I’m a hockey player. My family is plenty wealthy.”
“I said no. I don’t want any part of you.” I answer bluntly. Cole peeks around my legs and I hurry to shove him behind me.
“Is that…” He stares down and I shake my head. “I know that kid. His hand grabs my wrist fast and I reach out digging my nails into his hand between the tendons. He hisses, releasing me. I’m not good enough for you. You’re after the bigger fish. Whoring after the Reed brothers. No wonder Becker was so quick to help you.” Feet are running our way. Mrs. Anderson walks up talking about calling security. His dark brown eyes gaze over at her before he smirks evilly at me. “I’m leaving. You’ll regret this little mouse.” His entire demeanor chills me.
He leaves and I take a deep breath. “Cole, you, ok?” I hurry to check on him.
“Yes. I don’t like him, Luci. He pushed that other lady last time.” Damn him and his memory.
“Luci, are you alright? I called security and will have them pull the video feed. I’m going to make sure he’s reported for this.” She beams down at Cole. “Hello there young man. Would you like a sucker?”
He nods happily, moving on from the whole incident. We walk to the front where I set our stuff down to purchase. Security shows up and we tell them what happened. They are very unhelpful, saying he didn’t cross any lines. Like it would matter, the Porters are big school donors. I turn back to Mrs. Anderson to buy our supplies after they leave.
“Luci, did you change your major back?” She looks so excited and I hurry to shake my head.
“Just needed some things for a Thanksgiving turkey costume.”
She lets her head sag to the side with a sad smile. “Oh honey, I wish you would come back to us.”