Will flushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Damon rolled his eyes. “Oh, so you were shooting fuck-me stares at your sister? This might be a small town, but I’m pretty sure brother-sister love is frowned upon here.”
“Sicko.” Will tried to move away, but Damon had a hold of his jersey and moved them back to the others. “I hear you, Hulk. Let go.”
“Good. Never let your cock drag you down.”
“Unless it’s just that big,” Ed murmured, which had the rest of them laughing.
Knowing he’d tortured Will as much as the guy deserved, Damon turned to thank the guys again for such a great game and agreed to meeting them that night for a celebratory drink.
Then, because the Flashman brothers had insisted he join them and Grant to greet anyone wanting to talk to him, he met them all in the lobby out front, where a ton of folks waited for autographs and to speak with him about the Ice Raptors’ chances for the Cup next year.
“Well, you ask me, we’re going to take it. No one comes close to McClusky and Ford when the pair are on a tear. Then you have Vashevski at center. Guy’s got a big mouth and a hell of a slapshot. He can piss off the defense like nobody’s business and score while they’re cussing him out.”
Henry swung by to tell him to go to hell again, so Damon responded, “Sure, old man. I’ll save you a seat right next to me.”
The crowd loved that. Damon noticed a ton of people talking to the Flashmans and Grant, Mr. Baseball, as well. For a small town, Hope’s Turn seemed to be swimming in pro ballers.
The other players had remained, everyone talking, laughing, jeering. A real crowd. The atmosphere felt fun, the way hockey should be. Competitive but festive all the same.
He suddenly noticed holiday music playing in the background and had a huge case of the holiday spirit splash over him. Except he didn’t spot Marlie anywhere near.
Where the hell was she?
Grace showed up and draped her arm around his neck. “Hey, Demon, got a minute?”
He excused himself from a nice older couple as she pulled him away and shoved him at Marlie. Finally.
His sister sighed. “Dude, I’m late. Gotta head back. I like her. Don’t fuck it up.” She grabbed him in a bear hug, nearly strangling him, then left him staring after her.
Marlie stared with him. “I can’t lie. Major Grace Sinclair scares me.”
“Now you know why I am the way I am.”
She patted his arm. “Oh, I get it.” Marlie ruined it by laughing. “Man, the stories she had to tell about you. So funny.”
He flushed. “None of it was true.”
“Yeah, right.” She groaned. “Oh boy. My parents are coming over. They’re with Jeff’s folks.”
They spotted Jeff with her brothers and the two older couples.
Damon sighed. “I’m going to get interrogated by the sheriff, aren’t I?” The older woman’s scrutiny amused him, so he started toward them, noticed Marlie trying to hang back, and dragged her with him by the hand.
“Hey, let go, Demon.”
“Suck it up, princess. If I’ve gotta pay, so do you.”
She groaned.
He grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll be nice. I won’t tell them how hot you make me with those freckles.”
“Please don’t.” The flush under her cheeks made him chuckle. “Laugh it up, stalker. It’s all fun and games until Mona’s questioning you under a bright light and Irving’s psychoanalyzing you.”
“Is he a therapist?”
“Not a paid one, no. He’s an engineer. But he should have a doctorate in dysfunction. My dad’s spent years making peace in our family.”
