“He’s so precious,” I murmur, adjusting the baby in my arms.
Rhiannon smiles knowingly. “That’ll be you two soon.”
I swallow against the lump in my throat, nodding, but before I can say anything, a voice cuts through the air.
“Hey, guys.”
Boone Tremblay strides up, his arm wrapped protectively around his wife Rosie, Rhiannon’s sister-in-law, who’s tucked to his side. I’ve only met Boone a few times, but his towering frame and easygoing presence match the stories I’ve heard about him. He’s a playful hockey player with a wild past who somehow found himself in a marriage contract with Rosie, the no-nonsense entertainment lawyer and his fake wife, only to rapidly fall madly in love with her along the way.
They live on the other side of the lake in Brookhaven, and though I’ve run into Rosie a few times during cookouts and dinners at Brookhaven Brews, Boone’s been splitting his professional hockey career retirement between here and hishometown in Canada where his mom still lives.
“How’s it going, Boone?” Gabriel asks as he loads the cooked burgers onto a large serving plate.
“Ah, not too bad,” Boone replies, clapping a hand on the shoulder of the guy standing behind him who I hadn’t noticed at first though I’m not sure how I missed him. “I hope it’s okay, I had my little brother tag along with me for today’s cookout. Everyone, this is my brother Seth.”
I blink at the wordlittle.
Seth Tremblay is anything but little. He’s huge. Where Boone has dark hair, Seth’s is sandy brown and always a little messy, like he’s just come off the ice. But the resemblance is still there. The same sharp, chiseled features. The same strong jaw. And the man is massive. Broad shoulders, thick through the chest, built like he could go ten rounds in a hockey fight and still come out smiling. Total Canadian hockey player energy.
“Hey,” Seth says, giving our group an awkward wave that tells me he isn’t a big fan of socializing.
Boone grins. “Guess who just got signed to theManhattan Mayhemas their newest goaltender?”
“No fucking way,” Rhiannon gasps. “Wow, congratulations, Seth!” She throws her arms around the big man’s waist, or as far as she can reach.
The Manhattan Mayhem is New York City’s professional, NHL hockey team that’s been top in the nation for the last six years in a row with Boone at the helm as their forward.
Boone nods. “Well, it’s not official, but it looks like it will be soon. Likely by this fall. Figured since my career’s winding down, they wanted to bring in another Tremblay to keep the hype going. Also works out so that Sawyer can be closer to family.”
I glance between them. “Who’s Sawyer?”
Seth exhales, running a hand through his hair. “That would be my twelve-year-old daughter. The one tearing up your backyard.” He points and I see an adorable girl wearing a dress and converse sneakers, running around in the backyard giggling loudly.
“Seth’s raising her on his own,” Boone says but doesn’t elaborate.
Gabriel lifts a brow. “You’re moving to Brookhaven if you get picked up by the team?”
Seth nods. “Yes. That’s the goal. It’ll be easier to have her living here than in New York City.” His jaw tightens, his voice is flat, and I can tell that this has been hard on him.
Boone claps a hand on his brother’s shoulder, a silent reassurance before adding, “It’s going to be good. The San Diego Suns never appreciated him the way that the Mayhem will, and he’ll be closer to family. Sawyer’s adjusting to all the changes in her life, and I think she’ll love living in Brookhaven.”
Seth doesn’t look so sure.
“If there’s anything we can do to help…” Rhiannon offers. “We’re all willing to chip in time with Sawyer.”
Seth hesitates, then sighs, rubbing a hand along his jaw. “You wouldn’t happen to know any good nannies, would you? School starts in a month, and we’ll be moved here for good then, but the evenings and weeknights… that’s where I’m gonna struggle. With theMayhem’straining and traveling schedule, I’m not sure how I’m going to manage it all…” He trails off, and I can see the weight of his new responsibilities pressing down on him.
“I’m a teacher at the elementary school,” I jump in. “I can fill in any gaps where needed. After-school care, weekends, whatever. The middle school is right next door to the elementary school. She can come to my office while I do lesson planning, and we can hang out until you get home or I can take her backto our place.”
Something shifts in his expression, like he wasn’t expecting an offer like that. “That’s… really nice of you.”
“We can all help,” Gabriel asserts, stacking burgers onto the buns now laid out on the folding table. His voice is firm, unwavering. “That’s what we do here. We’re family. You’ve got a whole support system now. We’ll rally together and make sure you have what you need.”
“And I’ll keep an ear out for any nannies looking for work,” Eden adds, slipping into the group with an easy smile, her boyfriend’s hands on her hips.
Seth flushes slightly, nodding, and even though he’s built like a tank, I can tell that he’s not used to this. Not used topeoplelike this. A family that steps in with no questions asked. A net to catch him before he even realizes he’s falling. I get it. I wasn’t used to it either when I first met the Carpenters. But now I can’t imagine a life without these friendships. Everyone needs a village. He’ll see. We’re nothing without community.
“Thank you, guys. Seriously,” he says, his voice rough. Then, forcing some lightness back in, he adds, “On that note, I’m gonna have a burger and a beer since Sawyer’s currently occupied.”
