Author's Note: I'm thinking about writing a small bridge story about what happened to Bombay from the end of D3 to Game Changers because many things don't add up, but I feel if I fill in the gaps, I would almost make it make sense. Seven to nine chapters. Nothing like MMM, which will be fifty by the time I reach D3. At least.

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Casey wiped down the counter for what felt like the hundredth time as she tried to push the nagging thoughts swirling in her head to the back of her mind.

The diner was busy, as usual, but it didn't help her escape the feeling that she was drowning.

She glanced over at Jade, who was taking an order at the far booth, her head tilted in concentration as she jotted down the customer's order.

It wasn't until the lunch rush started to die down that Casey felt like she could breathe again. She had been working since early morning, and the constant noise of the diner had kept her from overthinking too much.

But now, with the low hum of chatter and clinking silverware fading, her thoughts returned to Gordon. And to the way things had been between them.

"Hey, Jade," Casey called, her voice softer than usual. "Can you take over for a minute? I need to step out back for a sec."

Jade turned, arching an eyebrow. "Everything okay?" she asked, her tone knowing. She was used to Casey's mood swings lately, and it was becoming clear that something deeper was bothering her. Something that went beyond the usual complaints about the diner or the stress of managing her life as a single mom.

Casey nodded, but her eyes betrayed her. She was a mess. "I just need a minute."

Jade exchanged a glance with one of the other waitresses, then gave Casey a quick nod. "Yeah, go ahead. I got it."

Casey slipped through the kitchen door and into the small back area, where the hum of the old refrigerator was the only noise. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed tight over her chest. She knew she was avoiding the conversation, but it felt like her life was spinning out of control.

A few minutes later, Jade followed her into the back. She didn't ask if Casey was okay—she knew that look on her friend's face all too well. Jade had been there for enough of these moments to understand when Casey needed to talk, even if she didn't know how to put it into words yet.

"You sure you want to have this conversation here?" Jade asked, leaning against the counter across from Casey, arms folded. The diner wasn't exactly the place for privacy—there were always customers, the constant pressure of orders coming in and plates clattering.

Casey sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't know, Jade. I'm just… I don't know what to do anymore." She paused, taking a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "Things with Gordon… they're great and then not great at the same time. I don't know how to explain it."

Jade didn't have to ask what Casey meant. She had seen it, had heard the subtle shift in Casey's voice when she talked about him. Gordon had been distant, and not just emotionally—physically, too. Throwing himself into training every day with Ted Orion. Too tired to do almost anything at the end of the day. It was almost as if he had been avoiding being physical with Casey.

"You've been saying that for a while now," Jade said carefully. It wasn't her business. "What is it this time?"

Casey leaned back against the wall, staring at the floor. It was hard to talk about. This stuff was normally private, but she felt like she had no one else to talk to.

"The intimacy... it's different. It's like he's a different person every time we're intimate. But it's not just that. He's okay most of the time, but sometimes it feels like his mind is elsewhere. It's like… it's like he's pulling away from me. And it doesn't help that I keep thinking about Tracey." She stopped, her voice catching in her throat. "He told me she called him and she needed to talk. I trust Gordon, but how am I supposed to compete with her?

Jade knew what was coming. Gordon's ex-girlfriend, Tracey, was stunningly beautiful.

Her heart clenched at the vulnerability in Casey's voice. She wished she could tell Casey the truth, but Jade had promised Bombay that she wouldn't say anything. "Casey, listen to me. You don't need to compete with Tracey—or anyone else. You've got a life with Gordon that's real. He's with you, isn't he? Not with her."

"I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending everything's fine. "Casey whispered. "And now—" She paused, "we've been talking about moving in together, about getting more serious, but I'm starting to wonder if we're moving too fast. Maybe we are rushing it."

Jade studied her friend closely, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Moving in together had been a big topic between Casey and Gordon for the past month. And while Jade could see how much they cared for each other, she also saw the cracks starting to form in their relationship. Cracks formed on the foundation of lies.

"I get it," Jade said after a pause, her voice low. "Casey… you've got to be honest with yourself. You're not just talking about moving in together; you're talking about making a life together. That's a huge step. "

"I don't know if I can do this, Jade. I don't know if there will be another guy out there for me. My Mom keeps telling me over and over what a good life Gordon will be able to provide for me and Charlie once he makes the NHL," Casey confessed. "I've never cared about the money, but it's the only thing my mother ever talks about. And he's so good with Charlie, it's like he was born to be a dad. I need him to be that guy for me. For Charlie. "

Jade felt her stomach tighten at the mention of Charlie. She knew how much Casey loved the way Gordon had stepped into that father role for her son. It wasn't just a relationship—this was a family. But at the same time, Jade could see that Casey was starting to doubt everything, including the foundation they had built.

"I can't tell you what to do. But what I can tell you is that you deserve more. You deserve to be happy. You deserver to be with someone who will open up to you. "Jade paused for a moment before smiling. "...and honestly, you deserve someone who can make things exciting between the sheets."

Both of them laughed loud enough for half the diner to hear them. Casey immediately blushed. "You back together with your man?" Casey asked.

"We're talking again," Jade said, unsure of what to say. "Once trust is gone, it's hard to get back."

Casey nodded, understanding. "Thanks, Jade. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Now, come on. You've got customers to serve, and I've got an order to take out. Let's go."

As the two of them walked back to the front of the diner, Jade's words echoed in her mind..

...you deserve more.

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The kitchen smelled like garlic and rosemary, the air thick with the scent of the pasta Casey had made. Gordon had always loved when she cooked—it was her way of showing love. Casey didn't have a lot of money - hardly any - and it was the only way she felt she could - other the sex - show Gordon she cared.

Tonight, though, the night felt different. The soft hum of the refrigerator and the clinking of plates felt more like a distraction, a way to drown out the unease in the air.

They had been talking about the adoption for weeks, and now that things were starting to happen, it should've felt like a victory. But Casey couldn't shake the nagging thought in the back of her mind. It wasn't about Gordon or the adoption—far from it - it was about the money. The child support payments that Jason had never made. The money had always been tight; now, Jason would never have to pay. She had tried her best to provide a good life for Charlie, but she always felt that she had fallen short. Casey had dreams for Charlie. Dreams that he would make something of himself. Go to a good school. Become a doctor.

Gordon had told her not to worry; it would all work out. He'd set up a new account for Charlie's expenses. The money would start coming in next month, but unlike the child support Casey was supposed to have from Jason, Gordon would be more reliable. Casey wanted to believe him. She trusted him.

It was at her mother's insistence that Bombay took over the child support payments that Jason should have been making. After all, she reasoned, Bombay would be his father one day. Casey protested loudly to both Bombay and her mother when he offered to start putting money away for Charlie's future. That she wasn't some charity case. However, Bombay pleaded his case to her, and she relented in the end. The only condition was that he would only start paying once the adoption was finalized. They'd set up a trust account now, and hopefully, by the time they got married, there would be a small nest egg in there. Bombay had mentioned that he had hoped that one day, Charlie could follow in his footsteps, get a good education and attend Eden Hall Academy.

She watched Gordon now as he poured himself another glass of water. She had bought a bottle of wine - not the expensive kind, but wine nonetheless - to celebrate, but neither of them had touched it. Casey knew that Gordon had a history with alcohol, but she thought they could make an exception for a night.

Gordon smiled at her, trying to make it seem casual as Casey poured herself a glass of wine. "You're quiet tonight."

Casey offered a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm just thinking."

"About what?"

Casey took a long sip from her glass, her gaze never leaving him and shrugged, trying to keep her tone light. "About everything, I guess. About how much is changing. I mean... Charlie's is really going to be your son one day ..." Casey paused for a moment. "And that's... amazing. But I don't know..."

Gordon leaned forward, his face softening. "What do you mean?"

Casey hesitated for a moment before speaking, her words measured, careful. "It's just... you know, the money. Now that Jason is not going to be paying anymore - not that he ever did - and I know you've set up that account for Charlie, but I'm just wondering... how's that really going to work? I mean, I don't want you to feel like you have to take on everything. It's a lot, and I don't want you to..."

Gordon let out a small chuckle, but it didn't feel genuine. He could feel the colour rising in his face, just beneath the surface. If he had still worked for Ducksworth, it wouldn't have been a problem. Not with his salary as one of the best attorneys in the city. Now he was making league minimum as a minor leaguer, it seemed like a fortune. Not only would he be making child support payments for Charlie, but he would soon have to start making payments towards his own child.

"You don't need to worry about it. I've got it covered, Cas."

She paused, studying him closely. "Are you sure? Because... I don't know; it just feels like there's something you're not telling me."

The words hung in the air like an accusation, but neither of them spoke them aloud. Gordon felt the tension between the two of them. He didn't want to get into it. He tried to reach out to Tracey, but something always came up. Training camp, a date with Casey, or an odd legal case to help with some extra money - it was always something. He felt like he was being pulled in a hundred different directions, and no one was around to throw him a lifeline.

"Just have a lot on my plate," Bombay confessed.

Casey frowned, her gaze drifting back down to her plate. "Okay...do you want me to pour you a drink?"

The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable. She wanted Bombay to relax for once.

Gordon shook his head no. "I'm okay, thanks." He paused for a moment. "One glass."

Casey stood up, walked to the kitchen, reached for the wine glass, returned to the table, and placed the glass in front of him.

They ate in silence, and as the evening wore on, the wine kept flowing. Bombay had wanted to refuse but he didn't want to say no to Casey. It was too easy to rationalize that it was just one drink. Until one glass turned into two glasses, which turned into three glasses. Casey considered asking Gordon to slow down, but she had never seen him at ease in so long that she kept the words to herself.

It was only when the last of the bottle was emptied that Gordon finally spoke, his voice low and steady.

"Want to go upstairs?" he asked, his tone softer now, almost affectionate.

Casey looked at him, momentarily surprised by the shift in his demeanour. He'd been distant the whole night, but now, he was offering her something familiar. Something she hadn't experienced in years.

She hesitated for a moment, her mind still lingering on the conversation they hadn't finished. But the wine's warmth, the evening's quietness, and the intimacy of their shared space made her feel safe enough to let it go, at least for now.

"Yeah, let's go," she said softly, standing up and following him toward the stairs.

As they reached the bedroom, Gordon turned to her, his hands lingering on her waist. His eyes were darker now, the concern that had been on his face earlier replaced with something else—something needy, desperate, almost raw.

Without saying a word, he leaned down and kissed her, slow and deep, his hands pulling her closer as if he could erase the distance between them. The kiss was heated and urgent, like he was trying to convince her of something, trying to convince himself. Casey responded, her body warming under his touch, the familiar rush of intimacy sweeping through her.

But as they tumbled into the bed, the weight of the evening—of the lies, the secrets—still hung in the air. For a moment, it felt like everything else faded away, and they were just two people, lost in each other.

And yet, as they kissed, as they moved together, Gordon couldn't shake the feeling that the lie he was living was starting to catch up with him. But for now, there was only her, only the warmth of their bodies pressed together, and the feeling of something just beyond his reach.

He closed his eyes, letting the moment carry him, hoping that, somehow, the truth could wait just a little longer.