Hip Check (New York Blades) by Deirdre Martin Page B

they were on the same page. About Nell.
    * * *
    Sooooo . . . that’s that,
Michelle thought as she and Esa stood together awkwardly in the school courtyard.
    “I think she’ll be all right, don’t you?” Esa asked.
    “She’ll be fine,” Michelle assured him. “She’s a trooper. As you know. It meant a lot to her that you were here today.”
    “I’m glad.”
    Did it mean anything to you? Michelle wondered. She supposed it said something that he’d made the effort; after all, he’d rolled in at two in the morning. She’d been up with insomnia, fretting about Nell’s first day. That’s how she knew. She didn’t know what Esa had been out doing, and she didn’t want to know, as long as he didn’t break his promise to Nell.
    The courtyard was clearing out. Michelle readjusted the sunglasses on her face. She couldn’t believe how hot it was. If she stood here in the sun much longer, she was going to stroke out.
    “Where are you off to now?” Esa asked.
    “Home—I mean, to the apartment—”
    Esa smiled, pleased. “Which you will think of as your home, I hope.”
    “I do, it just felt weird saying it. Anyway, back to the apartment. I wanted to tidy Nell’s room a bit, and do our laundry.”
    “Ah.”
    “You?” she asked. He’d asked her what she was doing. Why couldn’t she ask him? She just hoped his answer wasn’t “home.” It would be too weird doing stuff around the apartment with him there, too. She’d feel compelled to make conversation with him, just like she was doing now.
    Esa looked at his watch. Michelle knew it was expensive; the
New York Times
was always running full-page ads for it. She had no idea what the name was. Until a watch was invented that cooked, cleaned, helped get rid of cellulite, and convinced her brother that their father wasn’t always one step away from death’s door, she was content with using her phone.
    “To the gym. Then to lunch with a friend. Then to Met Gar.”
    Michelle smiled, unsure of how to respond. “I better run.” She started away, but then turned back to him. “What time does your game start tonight?”
    “Seven thirty. Why?”
    “I’ll see if Nell has any interest in watching some of it before she goes to bed. She probably won’t. It’s not like she’d be watching the Islanders, you know?”
    Esa laughed lightly. “If I ever catch you trying to brainwash my niece into liking them, you’ll be very sorry.”
    “I see. Well, we’ll see how she does with the Blades. But don’t be surprised if she chooses to watch
Good Luck Charlie
instead.”
    Michelle could tell from the blank expression on Esa’s face that he had no idea what she was talking about.
    “It’s a kid’s show. One of her favorites.”
    Esa nodded. Then, almost shyly: “I should probably, maybe, try to find these things out.”
    “Might not be a bad idea.”
    Esa looked uncomfortable, running a hand through his black hair. Michelle noticed it was so black it almost bore shades of blue. If anyone asked her about his hair color, she’d say “Raven.”
    “Look,” he said, glancing around the courtyard as if they were spies in danger of being discovered, “why don’t we go back to the apartment, make some coffee, and you can tell me all the things I should know about Nell.”
    “You’re kidding me.”
    “No. I’m not. Why do you look so surprised?”
    “Because that’s not part of my job, Esa. If you want a relationship with her, you have to find these things out yourself. By spending time with her.”
    Esa looked pained. “What little girl would want to spend time with her uncle?”
    “A little girl whose mother died in a plane crash?” Michelle hesitated a moment, but then put a reassuring hand on his forearm. “I know this has to be hard on both of you. But it’s especially hard on her. Think about it.”
    “I can’t read her. One minute she seems to like me, the next she seems detached. I’m not good—”
    “Then get good.” Christ, she