“Maybe the cold air is getting to me.” I gently shove him off, only to have him wrap his arms around me and squeeze tighter, while rocking me back and forth. “Miles! What are you doing?”
“I think you need a hug.”
Blowing out a chuckle, I wrap my arms around my goofy son, squeezing, and for the first time since Jacob arrived in town, I feel my body relax.
“Oh snap!” Wyatt exclaims.
“What?!” Miles looks around the rink, trying to figure out what’s going on.
Glancing down at the ice, I see Duncan handing Jacob a bucket of pucks.
“J.T. just told Steven to do the Puck Punisher.”
Watching Steven’s face, I see the determination, but also the fatigue. As a mom, one of the hardest things to do is stand by and watch how hard your sons have to train in order to be elite athletes. Steven is strong. He can do this, but all I want to do is wave my hand and tell them practice is over.
“Whoa. Did you see that, Miles?”
“See what?”
“‘The Jet’ checking out Mom.” Miles’ brows pull together, and his lips form a hard, straight line.
“I’m sure you’re misreading things. Jacob is Uncle John’s best friend.” I wave a hand in the air, attempting to dismiss his theory. “We grew up together.”
“And he had a thing for you,” Wyatt scowls at Jacob, and a nervous chuckle falls from my mouth, causing both my sons to whip their heads toward me. “And you had a thing for him?”
“Boys,” I cover a nervous laugh with a cough, patting them both on their arms. “You’re making something out of nothing. It was ages ago.”
“WHAT?!” They rumble, staring open-mouthed at me before turning to glare at Jacob.
And just like that, my son's wanting to grill J.T. ‘The Jet’ Thornton takes on a completely different meaning.
Chapter Nine
Jacob
“Iseethatyougot the attention of the two older Bennett brothers.” Duncan juts his chin toward the bleachers where Becca and two young men are sitting.
The burning sensation in my gut eases a bit, only to be replaced with shame at the jealous thoughts running through my head. Of course, those are her sons. My gaze drifts to the bleachers to see them glaring at me. Not undeserved, considering the way I was acting a few minutes ago.
“And I’m pretty sure that J.T. ‘The Jet’ Thornton is not living up to their expectations after they caught you checking out their mother.”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I pinch the bridge of my nose. Great. Just great. Nothing like having the sons of the woman you think you want to date hating you. “What do you mean?”
“Caleb, their dad, was a huge fan of yours. I bet the incentive for them to be here was more to meet you than to watch their younger brother practice. Speaking of Steven,” Duncan bobs hishead toward the kid working his tail off on the ice. “He looks great.”
Steven continues to run through the Puck Punisher, and seeing him nail it, I have to agree. I know he’s exhausted, and yet he’s out there like he could go another round. When he finishes that last movement, I call him over.
“Great job tonight, Bennett. Your footwork is much better. Your breakout routes are less predictable, not to mention if I didn’t know what your weak side was, I’d have to really study you to figure it out.”
A small speck of pride crosses Steven’s eye, and when he looks at his other coach, Duncan nods. A satisfied grin lifted the corner of his mouth. “Go ahead, grab some water, and take your gear off. We’re done for tonight.”
“Got a soft spot for the kid, huh, Denier?” I say as I lean against the boards and watch Steven skate toward the bench, shoulders slumped. Turning to Duncan, there’s a proud look on his face.
“Just one of the boys on my team,” he grunts before pushing up and walking over toward Scarlett.
Shaking my head and recalling the brute he was on the ice, I can’t help but chuckle. I would’ve never believed the man who was once one of the fiercest goalies in the NHL is now a mush.
“Daddy!” Three kids scream almost simultaneously, and my focus shifts to see Duncan’s movie star wife, a wide smile on her face, and his kids running over to him. He lifts the two girls up, their giggles echoing throughout the rink, all the while his son hangs on his leg, cackling.
