A Second Chance at Love

Once I put Ryan in his bed I went down and made a cup of tea and started to watch tv. My phone rang almost immediately. "Hey princess." Max yelled among various other voices yelling hi.

"Hey guys I miss you." Max and I stayed on the phone for a half hour discussing my new relationship.

"You know Rainy dear, I'm happy for you. You deserve someone good. I can't wait to see you again. I miss you already." He said blowing me a kiss.

"Aww Maxime, I miss you too, just don't miss the drama with Jordan." He just grunted. We said our goodbyes and I laid down on the couch.

About twenty minutes later Danny called me. "Hey sweetheart, what are you doing? "

"Not much, just got off the phone with Max, he's bugging me about when I'm gonna go out there." I said and Danny got quiet for a second.

"Tell him you are busy, you have a boyfriend to take care of " He laughed after saying in but I knew he wouldn't be happy if I went out there for a few days. A few minutes later he dropped the million dollar question on me. "Raina, why were you and Jordan fighting that morning?"

"Danny, honestly he wasn't happy I ended up with you. He thought maybe there was something between us. I cleared that up though before he left and he seemed ok with everything." He was silent on the other end of the line. "You ok, you got quiet all of a sudden? I asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I dint know why it is bothering me." He said and I could tell he was going to have trouble with my friendships with the guys in Pittsburgh.

"Honestly Danny, neither do I. I'm with you correct. I could show you how happy I am with my decision if you like?"

He let out a groan, "Raina you drive me mad. Goodnight love, I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Morning came quick and we followed the same routine. He told me what happened between Carson and Ryan. "Honestly Danny, don't sweat it. They are kids. They will have arguments and say things they don't mean."

He looked skeptical but gave in. "I hope so Raina. So your cool with taking Carson to the game this weekend? I'll take Ryan, Cam and Caelan to do something."

I smiled at him. "Sounds like fun."

He grabbed me by the waist when we left the diner. "I need you to do me a favor and get a sitter for at least one night next weekend. Syl will have the boys, camp will be over and we will be able to spend a night alone somewhere before my first pre-season game on Monday."

"Ok, shouldn't be tough, my sister loves stealing him" I answered, kissing him on the nose.

"So what is the deal with all the charity planning?" he asked me as we got into the car.

"Well I like giving back sweetheart. I'm sure one of my Pitt guys told you I came into money."

He looked up at me surprised. "Actually, no one mentioned it and I was trying to figure out how you could afford that house."

"Well not quite eight months after my husband died, I hit the lottery. At the time I was working two jobs and barely being able to keep me and Ryan fed and save the house. I had only known Max for about two months and he was begging me to move to Pittsburgh with him, just so I could relax a little more. He wanted to help me, but I felt like a total charity case when he offered. I ended up going out that night to get bombed and drink my sorrows away. I bought gum at a gas station and grabbed a lottery ticket. Next thing you know, I hit the damn thing. I have enough money to last Ryan and I a lifetime. Not many people know. So instead of working a full time job, I started to help Maxime with his charity. I probably work about 20 hours a week now. It will increase now with Eric and I planning to start something out of Thunder Bay. That is in its early stages though."

He looked up at me and pressed his lips again mine. "You are something Raina."

He dropped me off at the house and I went to work on the computer. I checked my email and was surprised when I had thirty-five new emails. I had checked it the night before. I didn't recognize some of the names and others were from acquaintances and former colleagues. I opened the first and there was a link from a girl I use to work with. It went to a sports gossip site out of Philly. The picture on the front page was of Danny and I holding hands at dinner last night, the boys playing basketball in front of us. It was a cute picture. The caption read "Danny and his mystery woman". I had to laugh. The second email was from someone calling me a homewrecker. The third email sent me to a site that was labeled Breire's girlfriend. There was some negative comments, some positive. I let out a frustrated sigh and switched the computer off.

I decided to make lasagna so I ran to the store and grabbed the cheeses. By the time I was putting it in the oven it was time to pick up Ryan from school. I pulled up and stood outside my car. A few of the moms were whispering and looking in my direction. I didn't even notice Sylvie when she pulled up. She walked up to me quickly. "I don't know who you think you are. Stay away from my boys. You won't be around long enough to need to get to know them. " she spit at me. By this time Carson and Ryan had started towards us. I smiled and waved at Carson and pulled Ryan into the car. I didn't respond to her because of the kids but I really wanted to lay into her. I drove home and waited for Danny and the boys to arrive for dinner.

Notes

Poor girl....... gossip sucks.