“That is so not cool.”
Liam’s words hit me square between the shoulder blades as we line up for drills, his tone somewhere between scandalized and delighted, like he’s already planning to tell this story to everyone with ears.
I snap my gloves into place. “I literally told her an hour ago it was fine,” I mutter. “So maybe don’t act like we’re storming the castle.”
Owen skates backward in front of me, grinning. “You’re not mad. You’re actively not fine.”
“That’s not a thing.”
“It absolutely is,” Campbell says, gliding up beside us. “You look like you’re about to fight an army of stormtroopers to save a princess.”
I push off, skating harder than necessary. “I’m not fighting anything.”
“Except the fact that her ex is showing up in the Dominion VIP box,” Liam says. “To sit with your girl.”
“She is not—” I stop myself. “Juliette is not my girl.”
“Yet,” Ty mutters as he passes.
“Uh-huh,” Owen says. “And I’m the Pope.”
“I’m just saying,” I continue, jaw tight, “I don’t love the idea of some guy who bailed on his kid suddenly swooping in like he gets a medal.”
Campbell raises an eyebrow. “You’re being a little bit protective.”
“Can’t help it. Even Charlie has wormed his way into my heart.”
“So we’re protective of the shop assistant now, too?” Liam chuckles.
“Yes,” I say immediately. “We’re becoming friends.”
They all look at me. Slowly.
“Okaaay,” Liam says.
“I would do this for any of you,” I insist. “If someone messed with your people—and think about what that kid’s been through. One minute his dad’s there, the next he’s gone. Now he shows up again? That messes with a kid.”
There’s a beat of silence as we skate in lazy circles.
Ty clears his throat. “He’s got a point.”
Everyone looks at him.
“What?” Ty shrugs. “I grew up with divorced parents. When one of them kept popping in and out, it screwed with my head. You don’t forget that stuff.”
Liam’s expression softens. Owen’s grin fades.
“Yeah,” Campbell says quietly. “That’s fair.”
I exhale, tension still buzzing in my chest. I told Juliette it was fine. I meant it. For Theo, it is. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
Because somewhere between a plant shop and a voicemail, I started caring about that kid. About Charlie. And about Juliette. Once that happens? You don’t stop being protective. You learn how to hide it behind a smile.
Ty skates up beside me, voice low. “Look, man. If you really like her, play the long game. There’s no rush. You don’t need to win anything today.”
I open my mouth to argue, but nothing comes out.
Campbell watches my face a little too closely. Then his eyes widen.
