Watching Sauls track every move around Kelly, I get it. It’s instinct to protect what steadies you. Doesn’t matter if it’s a bartender who reminds you people can still be good, a kid sister who deserves the world, or a woman who’s been under your skin since the first time she laced your skates for you.
Some of us just don’t know how to turn that part off.
Chapter 15
Silas
The drive to our gated community is quiet.
Not unusual, considering it’s mostly retired Steele Valley natives and a handful of Voltage teammates who enjoy the privacy. It’s close enough to the practice rink but still far enough outside the city limits that I don’t hear highway traffic when I’m unwinding on the back porch.
Now, though, I’m even more grateful to be in this neighborhood since the ladies around here watch Aubrey when I absolutely cannot bring her with me. Hence why I’m pulling into Mrs. Slater’s driveway at ten till five.
I slide out of my truck and make my way to the front door. The hesitation before I knock has nothing to do with the woman on the other side.
Or at least that’s what I tell myself.
I’m tired and enjoying my last few minutes of quiet for the day. That’s all.
Mrs. Slater opens the door a moment later. “Hey, honey. You know better than to knock,” she says before stepping aside to let me in. “Aubrey and Oakley are in the kitchen making bracelets.”
As I follow her through the house, I catch sight of Oaks patiently showing my sister how to tie off a string of sparkly beads. The gentleness and love in Oakley Kate’s eyes and the pure adoration in Aubrey’s face steal my breath.
I never should’ve let her go. I should have fought harder, begged her to stay or chased after her.
Aubrey squeals when she spots me. The sound is enough to make us all wince, but damn if it doesn’t make me smile.
“We really need to work on your inside frequencies, kiddo,” I say as she launches herself at my chest.
She’s practically vibrating with excitement as she steps back and holds out her wrist. “Bubba! Look what Kate helped me make. Isn’t it fab?”
“Fab?”
“Yeah, you know.” She plants her hands on her hips. “Like, fabulous but way cooler.”
“Way cooler, huh?” My eyes shift to Oakley, whose cheeks flush pink as she bites her lip to keep from laughing. “What kind of language are you teaching the kid, Kates?”
Aubrey’s giggles are contagious as I pretend to glare at her favorite person.
Oakley caves first with a huff, but even she can’t keep the laughter from her eyes or tone. “Only the coolest nineties and two-thousands slang,” she says. “Have you heard what kids are saying these days? She could be going around saying skibidi and sus and all these other words that I have to look up regularly to even guess at what they mean. You should be thanking me, really.”
“Yeah, Bubba.”
I lift a brow in Aubrey’s direction, and she runs off, her giggles trailing after her.
“Get your stuff together, little bit. I picked up the white cheese dip you asked for.”
“Okay!” she hollers as I see Mrs. Slater slip around the corner to help her gather her belongings. Once I’m sure we are alone, I lean my hip against the kitchen table, cross my arms, and study Oakley as she cleans up. Her leg is elevated on the stool beside her with an ice pack around it.
It isn’t my business. She isn’t my business, but that protective instinct doesn’t have an off switch now that she’s back in Steele Valley.
“You lied earlier, Kates,” I say, my voice low and gravelly from trying to keep my emotions leashed.
She glances up, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing like her thoughts are buffering. “What? No, I didn’t.”
The squeak in her voice gives her away. I tilt my head to the side and wait patiently. She’ll own up to it in three…two…one.
“Ugh, fine. No-good, nosy hockey hunk,” she mutters as she latches the final container before looking at me.
