My Uncle Caleb and Aunt Mia were the first to make the move to Hillford. Caleb’s two years older than my father and he accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Hillford Ice Hawks after retiring. A few years ago, he was promoted to head coach.
After my father retired, he became really involved in youth coaching. He was hired as a head coach for a tier one youth program.
The house is buzzing with energy and voices, and I pause just inside the door, my eyes dropping to the mess of shoes in the foyer. There are a hell of a lot more shoes here than just my family’s.
I kick my own sneakers off and shrug out of my jacket to hang on the wall by the door. My father’s laughter carries through the house, and I hear the voices of two of his best friends and old teammates, Lincoln Matthews and Rowan Taylor.
That explains the mess of shoes.
I’m not surprised they’re here. The two of them are more like uncles than anything else. Hockey families have a habit of sticking together after the hours and years spent in the same space.
“Matteo!”
Posey’s voice comes from the top of the stairs. A smile spreads across my face as my oldest friend comes down the steps. Her curly blonde hair is pulled back in a braid resting over her left shoulder.
Posey’s two years younger than me. The two of us grew up together since our fathers played for the Archers together and her mom and mine are very close. She now works for the Hillford Ice Hawks as one of our skating coaches.
“Hey, Poe,” I say, pulling her in for a hug as she reaches the bottom of the stairs. “How are you? It’s been a while.”
“I’m good, how are you? I saw you seem to have your groove back.”
“Yeah, it seems like I do.” I pause, glancing at the stairs as my sister Elena and Rowan’s daughter, Lucy, come down. “Hey, El. Hey, Luce.” I hug the two of them. Lucy’s five years younger than me, so she and Elena have always been closer.
“Where’s your brother?” I ask Posey.
There are ten kids in total between the five different families that form our one Archers family. Half are out of college and the younger ones are still in school, or at least college-aged.
“Chase couldn’t get away for the weekend. They had a big game in Michigan.”
I nod my head in understanding. “I get it.”
“Figured you would,” Posey chuckles, linking her arm through mine. “Come on, your mom said the food will be ready soon.”
Posey leads me into the kitchen to find everyone else. My dad, Rowan, Lincoln, and Uncle Caleb are all sitting at the table in the connected dining room. Posey’s mom, Nova, my Aunt Mia, and Rowan’s wife, Hadley, are all gathered around the island counter, talking about something.
My spine immediately straightens, a smile falling from my lips as I meet my father’s gaze from across the room.
Carson Ford isn’t an angry man, but when he thinks he’s right about something, he stands his ground. At some point, one of us is going to have to apologize first. My pride says it won’t be me.
“Matteo!” My mother comes rushing over to me. “Caro.” She kisses my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“And you swear he’s not your favorite,” Elena murmurs under her breath.
I shoot a glare at her, and she gives me the middle finger.
“Where’s Pip and Tella?” I ask my aunt.
“They’re at a concert.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right.” I nod. I remember Tella saying she bought tickets for Pippa’s birthday two months ago. I look back at my mom. “Do you need help with anything?”
“No, no, we got it.” My mother smiles, wiping her hands on her apron. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
I make my way around the counter, hugging and greeting Nova, Hadley, and Aunt Mia. I suck in a deep breath, knowing I need to face my father. Pushing my shoulders back again, I turn to the table and head over to where all the men are seated.
Uncle Caleb nods his head in greeting, Lincoln and Rowan both shake my hand, and my father’s gaze locks on mine again. The muscle in his jaw tightens and his expression is unreadable. For a second, it looks like guilt washes over his eyes before it vanishes. He rises to his feet, surprising me as he walks over and pulls me in for a hug.
“Hey, bud. Glad you could make it.”
