Falling for the Backup (Novella): The Assassins Series by Toni Aleo Page A

If it doesn’t work and the contract is right with the IceCats, you’ll come here. Agreed?”
      “Yeah, she knows I plan on leaving. I just don’t want to.”
    “Understood, okay, well talk to you soon,” Bill said.
    “Sounds good, bye dad.”
    He was about to end the call when said he heard his dad clear his throat. “Son.”
    “Yeah?”
    “I love you too, and I’m very proud of you. Can’t wait to meet her.”
    Jordan smiled, looking up at the sky as he said, “You’ll love her.”
    “I know I will. Bye.”
    “Bye.”
    Jordan ended the call, tucking his phone back into his pocket.   He hoped to God something would work out. He didn’t want to make Aynslee cry any more than he already had. He only wanted to make her happy. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, to love her until his dying day and watch her carry his children. They could try to do the long distance thing but those relationships hardly ever work and he wanted to be with her all of the time, not part of the time. It was hard enough leaving her for road trips but to live thousands of miles away, he couldn’t do that.  
    Walking into the pub, he went to the bar and sat down. Shea, Tate, and some of the other guys were going to try to stop by later but he doubted they’d make it, they were pretty beat after the game. Looking around the pub, he took in the manly décor. Sports memorabilia, was everywhere. Pictures of hockey greats, like Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Patrick Roy, and Gordie Howe hung all over the walls. Glancing around for a bartender, he leaned against the bar, grabbing a few peanuts from the bowl on the counter and popping them into his mouth.  
    Finally, a tall redheaded man came out of the back. When he set eyes on Jordan, he turned around and yelled in a thick Irish accent, “I swear on everything holy that if I didn’t love you guys I’d fire you! We have a customer!” Turning to look at Jordan he said, “I’m so sorry, my family is very lazy.”
    “No worries,” Jordan said with a   smil. The man reminded him o fhis own redhead.  
    “Can I get you a beer?”
    “Yes please, draft,” Jordan said getting his wallet out but the man shook his head.
    “Thanks, but it’s on the house as long as I can have an autograph,” he said, placing Jordan’s beer in front of him before holding out his hand, “The name is Bowie, and I’m a fan. You’re a fantastic goalie.”
    Jordan took his hand and shook it as he said, “Thank you, it’s great to meet you.”  
    Bowie smiled with a familiar grin and suddenly it clicked.  
    “Do you have a daughter?”
    “I do, six. Are you looking for a wife? My Aynslee is a peach.”  
    Hell yeah she was , Jordan thought as Bowie pointed to a picture of Aynslee. Jordan didn’t know how he had missed it but it was something else. It must have been taken years ago, because she looked like a teenager, but even then, she was gorgeous.
    Jordan reached across the bar again to shake the man’s hand once more and Bowie looked   bewildered. He then said, “I know you know me as a hockey player sir, but I am also dating your daughter.”
    Bowie blinked twice and then let out a hearty laugh.  
    “Excuse me?”
    “Aynslee Shaw? Spelled A-y-n-s-l-e-e, that’s my girlfriend.”
    “You’re dating my Aynslee?”
    Jordan nodded, as Bowie eyed him suspiciously.  
    “You’re not her normal type. She usually goes for fairy looking guys.”
    Laughter sputtered out of Jordan as he said, “Thanks, I think.”
    Bowie let out another hearty laugh turning to face the back of the barroom before yelling out, “Tully! Sweetheart!”
    Jordan looked around him to see a short round woman with blonde hair walking towards them.  
    “What do you want old bat? You yell at me saying I’m lazy, but then I try to cook and you bother me,” she complained as she came up beside him.  
    Bowie snickered before pointing a thumb at Jordan and saying, “This man says he is dating our