“Not tomorrow. She and Raven are going with Jules and Blaise to see some Christmas show tomorrow night. But you could come keep me company if you want to.”
“Big guy, if I come and hang out with you before I talk to Mom, you’ll be sleeping on the couch for a week.” My tone is teasing, but I’m pretty sure I’m not wrong.
“Shortcake. Don’t ever make Easton sleep on the couch. Argue about something if you have to, but put it to bed before you go to bed. Life’s too short to be that angry.”
“How’d you get so smart, Brandon?” He’s always been this person—the one who gives the best advice.
“I’m surrounded by smart women. I pay attention. Now call your mother.”
“I will.” I yawn and slide my head down to the couch. “I love you, big guy.”
“Love you more, kid. Good night.”
“Good night.”
He always used to tell me he loved me more. One day, I asked him why he always had to outdo me, and he laughed and told me, “I don’t love you more than you love me, shortcake. I love you and Raven and your Mom more than anything else in the world. More than anyone else ever will.”
It might have been true back then, but I think I found someone who loves me more now. A different kind of love. I guess that’s how it’s supposed to be.
EASTON
Fitz splits his practice. We’re all on the ice at the same time, but half lift before practice, and half lift after practice. I’m a before guy, so when I get to the ice, I’ve already been going for a few hours. I smile at Crew. He’s standing at the back of the tunnel leading out to the ice, keeping my girl safe.
It’s been strange getting used to him always being around this past week, but I was glad he was there when I had two back-to-back away games over the weekend. We go over Lindy’s schedule each night, and he adjusts his time accordingly. Switching off who’s going to be on her, depending on what she plans on doing and when. “Hey, man,” I shake his hand, then move around him to watch my wife skate for a few minutes before I head back to the locker room. I always get here early now, just so I can watch her.
Lindy is working with her baby skaters today. And when I say baby, I mean baby. These kids look like they should barely be able to walk, let alone skate. She sees me and waves, causing all the moms sitting in the stands to turn and look. Oops.
Once I’m changed, I come back out and find her skating by herself. She stops when she sees me and glides over. Her little pink skirt barely covers her ass, and the gray sweater she’s got tied around herself doesn’t look like it’s doing anything to keep her warm. “Hey, hockey boy.”
I grab her around the waist and skate her backward. “Hey, princess. How’s your day going?”
She spins out from me and takes my hand in hers. “It’s good. Better now.” She pulls up and drops a quick kiss on my lips, then pushes off.
“What are you doing, princess?”
“Think you can catch me?” she taunts, and my dick gets instantly hard.
“Yeah, Hayes. Think you’re faster?” Boone yells as he walks up to the glass.
“No way. I’ve got ten bucks that says my sister’s faster than Hayes,” Jace adds as he joins Boone. Before I know it, half my team, including Fitz, are arguing over who could win a skills competition. They decide Fitz is the judge, while Lindy and I stand there, staring at them.
“You’re all delusional if you think I’m gonna do this,” I tell them.
“What’s wrong, hockey boy?” She skates a circle around me. “You scared of a figure skater?”
I shake my head and whisper, “I’m gonna make you pay for this, wife.”
“Promise?” Her eyes light up with mischief, and all sorts of ways to make her pay come to mind.
“How much money you got collected over there?” I shout.
“Enough for drinks at the bar tonight,” Smitty yells back.
“I’ll make it worth it for you, Hayes,” Fitz tells us. “You win, and practice is canceled.”
The team cheers, but Lindy skates over to Fitz. “And what if I win?”
Jace moves closer. “If you win, they all have to help with your baby skaters for a week.”
“Deal.” She shakes Fitz’s hand, and I have a bad feeling this isn’t going to end well.
“What are the tests?” Lindy asks and crosses her arms over her chest, plumping up her boobs.
“Well, that’s one way to win,” I whisper in her ear. “Just distract me, why don’t you?”