Damon winked at her. “Are you sure you want to stay with this guy? Because I can be really charming when I try.”
“He’s lying.”
Cade nodded. “He just wishes he was charming. Trust me. He ain’t.”
Damon guffawed. “You’re just jealous I kissed Ellie before you.”
“Liar. Take that back.”
“What?” Grant blinked.
“Oh, shut up, Damon.” Cade huffed. “Ellie was fifteen, and he snuck a kiss on a dare. Then she walloped him upside the head. And that was before his sister found out and kicked his ass.”
“Oh, Grace.” Grant nodded. “Yikes.”
Everyone took a moment to think about his tough-as-nails sister.
Piper frowned. “I don’t remember Grace.”
“She was probably a few years older than you,” Damon said. “Plus she’d skipped two grades. She’s an annoying evil genius, and now a major evil genius.”
“See what he did there?” Cade shook his head. “You’re still not that funny.” To Piper, he explained, “Grace is a major in the Marine Corps.” He turned to Damon. “Is she coming for the holiday?”
“For Thanksgiving, yeah. She should be here tonight or early tomorrow. She flew into Portland.”
“Fortunately, the weather’s holding,” Grant said. “The snow isn’t too bad in the mountains yet.”
“My own personal weatherman.” Piper linked her arm around her husband’s waist. “I’m glad you could come be with us for the party, Damon.”
“Aw, thanks, Piper. But I’m sorry to do this.”
“What?” Grant looked suspicious.
“I need some details on this game you guys are playing Sunday. The only details I got were for a scrimmage and some light coaching for Steve and his friends. But this sounds more intense.” And of course, Damon only ever played to win.
“Hold on.” Grant frowned. “You can’t help them. That’s cheating.”
“How?”
“Well, you’re a pro player.”
“Yeah, but I’m not skating or goaltending. I’m just helping. I tell you what. I’ll help you guys too.”
“Well, I guess.” Grant continued to frown. Then he slowly nodded, staring oddly at Damon. “I do need an uber villain.”
“What?”
Piper laughed. “Grant, you’re terrible. My husband is not just retired from baseball, he’s working on a new graphic novel. It seems he’s found inspiration for the bad guy.”
Everyone looked at Damon.
“Seriously?” He glared back at them then grinned. “That’s awesome. What kind of superpowers will I have? Something to do with ice, maybe?”
Cade sighed. “Figures you’d be pleased about featuring in nerd-boy’s comic.”
“Graphic novel,” Grant corrected, studying Damon.
“Whatever.” Cade elbowed Damon. “You’re not special. Piper’s the beauty behind the heroine. I’m pretty sure I’m her lover, another of the superpowered good guys.”
