“I think about that all the time, LD. This man saved my life. I should just rush him off to Vegas right now and put another ring on it.” Killian grinned before his face grew serious. “I know Matthias deserves the world.” He held out his hand, which Matthias quickly took.
My skin broke out in goosebumps. Why were all these big bad men such fucking lovesick assholes when it came to their significant others? I wasn’t complaining. I liked it. I looked up at CC, who winked at me.
“I love you,” I blurted out. “Like so much, and I don’t even care who hears me.”
“I love you, too, boo.” He grinned.
I nodded. “Okay, well, let me go shower so I can go out with the WAGs.”
My stomach flipped and swooped. This was my life now. I had never felt happier as I rushed off to the bathroom.
***
“Where are we going?”
Leo was practically bouncing off the seat of the silver SUV Matthias was driving. He was beyond thrilled when we picked him up along with his brother, but when he saw Andy in the vehicle, I thought he was going to spontaneously combust. Andy had no interest in staying at the townhouse, even though Jackson was heading there once practice was over with the Panthers. He wanted to spend time with his boyfriend. The whole young love thing. The two of them were sitting in the third row of the truck, holding hands and cuddling together like we couldn’t see them.
Noel nudged me before he turned around. “Christmas shopping. You’re not going off on your own, either. Maverick and I are watching you.”
“Right.” Maverick was busing texting on his phone. “Totally watching.” Guess he wasn’t that worried about his son anymore.
I leaned over his shoulder. “Who are you talking to?
“My brother, Dean.” He flipped his phone over so I couldn’t see. “He’s having a crisis.” He used air quotes over the last part.
I giggled. “Girl problems I don’t understand.” I leaned back and put my head on Noel’s shoulder. “Have you thought anymore more about Seth?”
“Why are you touching me? I’m not a cuddler. Also, no.” Noel grunted, but he didn’t move away.
I batted my lashes at him. “Too bad because I’m a cuddler. It’s my thing. You’ll get used to it now that we’re friends.”
“Is that what we are?” He wrinkled his nose at me. “Why do you smell like cinnamon? Is it, like, a Christmas thing or your shampoo?”
“It’s his secret. He’ll never tell you,” Leo answered from the backseat.
I held up my hand for a high-five. “Thanks, boo.”
“You smell like cinnamon, too,” Andy murmured, and I swear I felt Leo blush. He knew my secret because I told him. Only him and CC.
Maverick spun around to stare at us. “My brother is in a relationship with a man. He’s bisexual, or something along those lines.”
Holt gasped. “He what? You never told me that. I thought we were, like, friends or whatever.”
“What now?” I sat up. “Dean? Isn’t he in love with Killian’s sister? A man? What man? Since when? I need more than just that. Spill it.”
Matthias chuckled. “That would be the one.” He glanced in the rearview mirror to meet my eyes and winked. “She’s my best friend, but uh, she’s engaged to someone else. It’s pretty serious, too. Boy, I wish my husband was here right now to help handle this.”
Wait, what did he just sayhusband?Holt shot me a look like he could read my mind. He heard that, too, right?
“I’m watching you,” Maverick warned as he stared over my shoulder. “Don’t even think about it.” He made a motion with his fingers as he brought them up to his eyes and pointed them behind me at Andy. “Yeah, so Dean is seeing a man. They’ve been together for a while, and I think he wants more, but I don’t think Beau does. More than that, but young ears.”
“Dad, I’m fifteen. I’m not a kid,” Andy reminded him. “I’ve kissed a boy.”
“Don’t remind me,” Maverick shot back. “You’re always going to be my baby, so just stop.”
Andy groaned. “Uncle Dean is with Beau Whitlock. He wants to get married, but Beau is being weird about it. Don’t look at me like that. We talk. He knows I’m bi, too.”
“Beau Whitlock, the hockey player? Whoa, when did that happen?”
