Liam swipes his hands through his hair. “Totally right. Thanks for picking her up. I’m so lucky that you were around. It’s times like these I wish Hailey had a boyfriend to help her, but then I fear that they might be like you and focus on work and not her.”
His words hit a little harder than I would like, and I’m offended. “Someone is being a little honest today.” I’m almost curt in tone but hold myself back.
He grins and lightly pushes my shoulder. “You know that I’m messing with you. I’m sure you would feel the same way if she had a boyfriend. You are protective of her like a sister.”
My stomach sours because that is most definitelynothow I view her.
Scratching the back of my neck, I accept that her brother is here to care for her and my services are no longer needed. “I’ll head out. She probably needs some dinner soon. Don’t bug her too much about the bagel incident, I already have.”
A cheeky look shades his face. “That ain’t happening.”
I chuckle. “Fair enough. Are you ready for the big day?”
“I am. Just a shame that a wedding entails a lot of logistics and planning. Ava is about to lose her cool. It will all be worth it, though.” She travels a lot for work, so I don’t know her as well as I would like, but she is sweet and completely softens Liam.
“It will be great. Cigars, whiskey, the whole shebang.”
“Thanks again for driving out. I owe you one.”
I wave him off. “You’d do the same.”
“You can still add a plus-one for the wedding if you want.”
“Nah.” I shrug. “Solo is fine.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means a saint, but none of the women that I’ve been with have kept my attention. Plus, there hasn’t even been anyone lately.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you if Ava throws one of her single bridesmaids at you.” He grins.
Hailey is a bridesmaid, and she’s also not bringing a plus-one, but I won’t hold onto the hope that she gets steered my way. Liam would never allow it.
“I’ll make a run for it. Anyhow, I’m going to head out.”
“Thanks again.”
I shrug it off as though it’s nothing then leave the house. As I stare at Everhope Road, where neighbors are walking with dogs and kids are playing on the street, I can’t help but feel that something is missing, there is a dullness inside of me.
I should go find a distraction.
For the most part, this whole situation doesn’t bother me. That is until every time I come face to face with Hailey, and then I go a little haywire.
My brother handsme a coffee that he ordered at the counter of Foxy Rox. This place is great. A very relaxed vibe with delicious coffee and a few tables and sofas. The background music is Indie and mostly the under-50s find themselves here. There is a restaurant on the river boat that the older generation prefers. The bakery selection here is second to none, too.
Carter takes a sip of his own coffee as he sits across from me. He’s older than me, divorced, and is the town sheriff. “You leave tomorrow for the wedding?” He was invited but can’t take the time off work.
“Yeah. I’ll stop overnight somewhere when I get too tired of driving.”
“Don’t speed.” He gives me a pointed look and grins. “I would hate for a sheriff in the middle of Kansas to give you a ticket.”
His jokes are so old but still make me smile. “Nah, I’ll just throw on a podcast and drive through America’s cornfields until I hit Colorado.”
“Good. I’m happy you have a little downtime even though it’s busy at work for you.”
I sigh at the reminder. “Tell me about it. The draft is coming up, and after that, we have free agency. I’ll be turning out hockey contracts on the double.”
“Good. Me and everyone else is hoping that the Spinners take the cup next year. Need a solid team for that.”
Everyone around here is a Spinners fan. Football or baseball are forgotten sports here; instead, we all back hockey.
“A few days off will reboot my engine. Anyhow, what else is new?”
