Sitting up, the throw blanket falls to my waist, and Tyler begins to move slowly.
“Morning,” I say drowsily.
He rubs his face as his mouth stretches into a smile. My eyes run up and down his body. His dress shirt is unbuttoned at the top and his collar is up, along with his sleeves rolled and morning stubble on his chin. He’s tired but far too attractive still.
“Did we fall asleep on the couch?”
We were talking all night, and it never crossed my mind that we should go to my bedroom, nor that he should go home.
“Yeah,” I answer the obvious.
“I should probably go before?—”
“Mom?” It seems someone sneaked into theliving room.
We both zip our gazes to Enzo in his pajamas standing on the other side of the room. I’m grateful that he seems to have a little more strength and is up and about. His hair is a mess, but that’s what makes him adorable to me. Not so thrilled that he just walked in on us, though.
“Feeling better?” I rush up and straight to my son to feel his head and check his body.
“I’m kind of hungry.” His chin juts out when he spots Tyler, almost as if he’s in disbelief that he is here. “Tyler’s here, Mom.”
I smile to myself. “I noticed.”
“Hey, kiddo, Happy New Year! I fell asleep when I came to talk to your mom. It was late.” Which is all kind of true.
I give him a thumbs-up, as Enzo’s back is to me.
“That just means you can have banana pancakes with us. My mom always makes them when it isn’t a school day.”
“Very true, but maybe you should stick with toast for now due to your stomach,” I suggest. When he darts his head to me with a glare that seeps straight through me, I’ve received my warning. “Or you can try one pancake, and we take it from there.” His wide cheeky grin appears due to his win. “Why don’t you rest on the couch and put on some TV. I’ll bring you your breakfast.”
Tyler walks toward me. “I’m going to quickly change at home and come back, if you agree with your son’s invite.”
“I do.”
The smolder in his eyes speeds up my heart.
And later, when we are sitting on the floor eating pancakes, and with Tyler ever so often playing footsy with me under the coffee table and my son eating his cut-up pancake on the couch, everything is promising for my future.
CHAPTER 17
TYLER
Not going to lie, walking toward Lainey’s brother in the hall of the arena where we just had a game is daunting. Especially since Anaheim lost, which means he will be in a shittier mood.
Since New Year’s with Lainey, it’s become clear that we are meant to give us a go. I only do things in which I will succeed and that means being the best boyfriend and more on earth. I swear, my mind couldn’t even construct that sentence a few months ago.
Maybe my dad rubbed off on me, because I feel the need to go a little old-school and speak with her brother. It’s the honorable thing to do. It’s better this way because I’m going to give Lainey my jersey, and that could send him over the edge if he doesn’t have a warning.
Seb’s back is against the painted white brick wall, and his feet and arms are folded. His stoic face means there will be no chitchat. He is in jeans, a shirt, and has showered hair, which means he at least had time to calm down, I hope.
Arriving in front of him, I return the serious expression. “Hey. Thanks for meeting me.”
“Trust me. You couldn’t have picked a better moment.” He’s sarcastic.
“Look, I’ll be quick. Lainey and I?—”
“Yes. You and my sister. I should have put you in the penalty box when I had that opportunity behind the net.”
