I put the plate on the dining room table, my eyes on the TV in the adjoining room. Theo steals the puck from his opponent but whiffs on his shot on net. "Fucking hell, T. Since when do you miss an easy five-hole?" Grady grumbles.
“Something is off with him,” Tate observes. “And he can’t afford to be off right now.”
Liv drops her head into her hands and stifles a groan at her cousins' performance. She's all cute in a pair of jeans and one of my T-shirts. She's barefoot, and her hair is damp from the shower we took together before everyone showed up.
She came to our game last night, in my jersey, and of course, I dragged her home to have her ride my cock while still wearing it, so she doesn't have an alternative besides my clothes this morning. No complaints. She looks perfect. Our eyes meet and she smiles. I smile and wink.
God, I love this woman.
Nash wanders over and grabs some food off the table. "Stress-eating. I totally want Theo to win, because I'd rather face the Quebec Nationals in the final than the Portland Riptide. We perform better against Quebec."
“That’s my bro. Over-thinking and over-analyzing like a boss,” I smile. “We haven’t even started playoffs yet and you’re determining who we’ll face in the Final.”
“Also if you keep stress-eating you’ll be too out of shape to play in the Final,” Tenley chirps without even turning her head.
I bite back my smile. Nash makes a face at her and even though she isn’t looking, she lifts her hand and flips him the bird. I let my smile fly and Olivia rolls her eyes with a grin at their antics. I still haven’t told her what Nash confessed in that hotel room months ago, because it’s Nash and Tenley’s secret to tell. And Nash says the lawyer didn’t find any proof they were actually legally married. It seems like maybe they were both just very drunk and no one ever filed the paperwork.
“When does your docu-series start filming and please say it takes you away from Los Angeles,” Nash snarks at Tenley.
“I get to spend some of my summer in Canada at your house so buckle up,” Tenley replies.
“Really?” I interrupt my eyes darting to my darling girlfriend. “Olivia is spending part of the summer with me, we can all hang when you aren’t working.”
Olivia claps. “That would be so great!”
“Yeah. Great. Woo. Hoo.” Nash’s tone is as flat as a board.
I chuckle. He glares.
“I don’t think they’ll do it. Damnit Theo,” Tate grumbles watching his cousin as the clock ticks down on the game. He nudges Mallory. “How are you not stressed. It’s your brother’s team too.”
"Because I barely talk to my family and if Emmett makes it to playoffs, and plays you then I have to deal with that troll he's dating even more." My shoulders tense at her words. My ex is still dating Mallory's youngest brother. Right.
“Go Riptide!” Olivia shouts.
Every one of her family members turns to look at her. “I’m sorry, but Theo is young. He’ll make it another time. And I don’t want to deal with that woman.”
“Neither do I,” I sigh.
Everyone goes back to the game, as the Riptide gain control of the puck. Conner is flying down the ice but he’s checked hard and the ref blows his whistle. I head out onto the deck off the front of the house for some air.
Buying this place in Laurel Canyon was definitely the right move. I absolutely love it here. It’s the first place in LA that’s felt like home. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, tilting it to the spring sun beaming down through the canopy of palms and Jacarandas. I feel a set of arms circle my waist. Olivia’s body leans into my back. “You okay?”
“Yeah. You?”
"Yeah," I feel her lips on the back of my forearm so I turn to face her. Her beautiful dark eyes are clear and bright. "And even if you play Emmett's team in the playoffs, we'll be fine. I love you."
She’s said it before but it never stops amazing me. “I love you too.”
I kiss her and I keep kissing her until the patio doors open again and people start wandering out to join us. “Quebec tied, so it’s over.”
“Huh?” Liv looks confused so Tenley explains.
"They needed to win outright to beat the Riptide for the playoff spot. A tie means the Riptide gets a point so now even if Quebec wins, they can't secure the wild card spot." Tenley says and Olivia looks up at me and I nod.
“Hockey is confusing,” Olivia announces. “But yay Conner and hugs to Theo.”
“Any more of this crappy beer, Crew?” Tate asks as he and Mallory wander out holding hands.
