Love her.
Because shit, am I ever in love with her.
“Cap!” Mac’s waving me down from across the table. I tip up an eyebrow. “Three on three tomorrow at the ice house.”
The idea of being on the ice again with some of my teammates sends a surge of energy through me.
“You’re on. Prepare to have your ass handed to you.”
“Fuck that. We’re on the same team.”
I smirk at him and then glance over at Aiden. “You wanna play?”
His eyes widen in alarm. “What? No. I can’t.”
“Why not? You know how, right?”
“I mean, yeah. Sure. But I’m no pro or anything.”
“It’s a scrimmage, not the Stanley Cup.” I ruffle his hair. “You’ll play.”
I glance down and see Willow blinking fast, trying not to cry.
“You’re such a softy, Trouble.”
“You should play,” Aiden says to Gideon as we finish up our breakfast at the ice house. It’s midmorning, because after getting home last night well past midnight, no one wanted to get up early to hit the ice. Aiden stuffs an entire slice of bacon in his mouth. “Don’t be a pu—er, a wimp, Gid.”
Aiden side-eyes his aunt.
Gideon’s eyes narrow on the kid. Most people would be terrified of that look.
Not our boy.
Aiden grins.
“Are you scared, man?” Aiden shrugs a shoulder. “I get it. You probably haven’t skated in a long time. Maybe you’re worried that you’ll look like a fool out there, with the rest of us being awesome.”
I bark out a laugh, unable to hold it in. Aiden is ashit talker. I can’t wait to see how he does on the ice today, because if he’s good, he’d make an excellent hockey player.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Gideon finally replies, holding Aiden’s gaze as he takes a bite of his protein waffle.
Who the fuck eats protein waffles on vacation?
Gideon James, that’s who.
“As if you could,” Aiden scoffs, and then he laughs and leans over to high-five Gid, who’s smiling at the kid now. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
“Someone has to sit with Willow,” Gideon replies. “It’s our thing. We sit and watch.”
“I can sit alone,” Willow offers, but then Gideon’s work phone is ringing, and he’s scowling.
“Fuck my life,” he mutters as he answers and then holds the device to his ear. “James.” His brows lower. “When? How many?” His whole body goes perfectly still. “Say that again.”
“Shit,” Willow whispers, and her hand drops under the table to grasp my leg. “He’s going to leave.”
Gideon’s stormy eyes have gone ice cold, his face hard. The fun-loving brother from a moment ago is gone, and in his place is quite literally a killer.
That look even gives me pause.
