Chapter 15

Viper

When I pulled up to the rink I saw Axel and Merigold coming out with the boys. “ Hey boys. Practice just end?” I asked. “ Yes.” Jace said. I want to go in and see Sabine but I’m taking the time to talk to my nephews. I haven’t seen a lot of them lately with Merigold not talking to me. And the boys have been busy with school and practice. “ So how is hockey going?” I asked. I notice Jax backed away from me. That is odd. He has never done that before. Even when we first met. “ It was good. I made three goals today. And we did drills. Coach says we will be ready for our game next week.”

“ That’s great, bud. I’m proud of you.” I picked him up and hugged him. I still do it even when he tells me he is getting too old for it. “ What about you Jax?” “ I um. I don’t play hockey anymore, Uncle Viper.” Jax said. Why is he looking nervous? “ Really? So what are you doing now?” I asked. He just came out of the rink. Was he just here to pick up Jace? “ I. Um. Well.” Jax stutters. This isn’t like him. Axel places his hand on Jax’s shoulder “ It is ok son. Just tell him.”

Jax suddenly stands tall “ I’m taking figure skating lessons from Sabine. And she says I’m good.” Jace stands beside Jax like he is backing him up. “ He is good. Real good. Sabine says Jax has talent”. Is that what he was worried about telling me? Did he think I wouldn’t approve? Not that it is my place to approve or not. That is up to his parents and him. “ That’s great. I have heard she is a good teacher.” I told him. Suddenly he smiles and it hits me. He was scared to tell me. I don’t like that at all. “ She is. Daddy even took a video. Can we show him daddy?”

Axel already has his phone out. I see Jax do a spin that I have seen Sabine and Isaac do several times. He is good. Just like he said. Axel leans in and whispers “ Sabine wants him on the elite team. She says he is a natural.” “ Jax, this is awesome. You looked good.” I told him as I bent down. Jax wraps his arms around my neck “ Thank you Uncle Viper. Will you come watch me some time?” he asks. “ You tell me when. I’ll be there.” I said, meaning every word. So my nephew doesn’t want to play hockey. I have seen enough practices and competitions to know skating is just as hard if not harder than any other sport.

“ You going in?” Merigold asks. “ Yea. I’m hoping Sabine will talk to me today.” I said. “ Good luck. Viper, if you're serious about this don’t give up when she tells you to go to hell.” Merigold said. I kissed her cheek “ I won’t. I’m fighting for her.” “ Good. We have your back.” Axel said and took the boys to the SUV. I walked inside and saw Casper was waiting on me. “ You ready to do this?” he asked. “ More than ready. Do you think she will give me a chance?” I asked.

“ All you can do is try. And keep trying. She is in the gym already. I’ll show you the way.” he said. I followed him around the rink to a back hallway. We stopped in front of a set of double doors. Casper opens the door and we go in. Holy shit. This place is huge. I thought we had a decent gym at the club. We have nothing compared to this. There is one wall of mirrors facing all the equipment. There were three treadmills. Two leg presses. Two weight benches. Barbells in various weights. Two leg presses. And other machines I don’t know the names of. This is a professional gym that most people would have to pay to use.

I see Ice standing against the wall watching Sabine. I don’t like it but I’m not going to let him think he is getting to me. He may have sights on my girl but he won’t win this. Sabine is on the treadmill right now running her heart out. I hear a beep and Ice says “ That’s time. Arms next.” Sabine shuts the machine down and Ice hands her a towel. Sabine goes over to the weight bench and lays down. She fixes her position with her legs spread on the sides of bench feet on the floor. She has her head just above the bar. “ Ready?” she asks. I guess he is going to spot her.

She lifts the bar with no difficulty. I watch her do a set of fifteen before she sets the bar in the rack. Exercising shouldn’t look so hot but with Sabine it does. She is wearing yoga pants that look painted on and a tight sports bra. I can’t stand the lust I see in Ice’s eyes as he watches her. Ice gives Sabine a bottle of water when she sits up. “ Ice, we need a minute.” Casper says. I’m taking his lead on this. I don't want to interrupt her work out. I know how important they are so she can perform on the ice.

Ice and Sabine look in our direction. “ What the fuck is he doing here?” Ice growls. Sabine places her hand on his and shakes her head. “ It isn’t our business.” Casper says. I look at Sabine “ I just want to talk.” “ Like hell you will.” Ice answers. “ Shut it.” Casper yelled. “ You know what he did.” Ice said. “ I know. But if Sabine wants to talk we will let her.” Casper said. Ice smirks like he has won. But Sabine keeps looking at me. “ Please.” I add. “ Fine but you are spotting me.” Sabine said. Yes.

“ Pixie?” Ice said. “ It is fine. It is probably over due. You will by the doors if I need you.” Sabine said. Ice moves and jams his shoulder into mine as he walks past. “ Hurt her and you're dead.” I just nod, not giving a shit what he thinks. Sabine lays back down “ If you want to talk get over here.” I practically run over to stand behind her. She lifts the bar bringing it down to her chest. “ You wanted to talk. So talk.” she said. “ First I want to say I’m sorry. For how I treated you when we met again. And for leaving you like I did.” I told her.

“ If you had told me you wanted a one night stand I would have understood. I would have turned you down but I would have respected your honesty.” She said She doesn't stop lifting the bar up and down. “ I don’t think I did want one. Or I wouldn’t have married you.” Since she was listening I went on to explain that I was drunk off my ass and don’t remember much. I explain that I didn’t know we were married or I would never have screwed around with the skanks.

Sabine puts the bar back and sits up. She takes a drink of water and turns to me. “ You really don’t remember anything?” she asked. I shake my head “ Not much. Just bits and pieces.” I walk around to sit in front of her. “ We were both pretty tipsy. Or at least I was. But I didn’t think you drank that much. But you said you never drink tequila. And I drank more than you.” she said. “ I don’t drink tequila for that reason. It hits me hard and fast.”

“ So our time together meant nothing then. Great.” Sabine said, shaking her head. She looks even more hurt then when she saw me with Claire. “ That is where you are wrong. It had to mean something for me to marry you, baby. You had to have meant something to me.” I told her. “ So what do you want? Forgiveness before we divcorce? I don’t know if I can do that right now.” she said.

I take her hands in mine “ No, baby. I don’t want your forgiveness right now. I haven’t earned it. I just wanted to know why I acted like that. Why I cheated. As for the divorce. I’m not signing.” Sabine’s eyes got as big as saucers “ What?” “ From the moment I discovered we are married I haven’t touched a skank. And I won’t. I’m going to live up to the vows we took. I can’t get you out of my mind. Right now it is the worst. I don’t want a divorce, Sabine. I'm here to tell you that I’m going to win you back. I’m going to make you fall in love with me again. No matter how long it takes.”

Sabine’s jaw drops but doesn’t say a word. I kiss her on the forehead before I get up. “ I’m not giving up on you, baby. You will see that soon enough.” I stood up “ Enjoy the rest of your work out. And think about what I said.” Sabine just nods looking dumbfounded. I walked out letting Casper know I was done. “ You good?” he asked. “ I laid it out. And told her I wasn’t giving her up. Now I’m letting her get used to the idea.” I told him and left.