“Love that my wife knew before I did,” Wyatt said from my other side. The three of us stood there watching the kids skating on the rink. Lydia hovered near Kai as she clumsily moved around. To think Lydia didn’t even know how to skate six years ago and pretty much refused to get on the ice.
“I wasn’t hiding it from you guys,” I answered. “Josie’s like a conversational wizard. She got it out of me within seconds.”
A giggle from Jayden drew my eyes down the rink to where Steven stood behind him, bent over to hold his little waist as he gently pushed Jayden forward. If Wyatt didn’t get his son into hockey, Steven sure would. Trevor and Bryton stood like sentries on the ice, eyes glued to the kids in case they needed saving.
My mom, along with Mila and Tasha sat in the stands off to the side, talking and watching everyone else skate. It cameas no surprise to anyone that Trevor pretty much forbade Tasha from setting foot on the ice, claiming the mother of his childrenwould notfall and get hurt on his watch.
We all knew that caveman mentality wouldn’t last long with her. She was pregnant, but she wasn’t helpless. There was no telling Tasha Hall what to do.
“You guys haven’t been together long.,” Landon pointed out. He knew this, thanks to last night’s dinner when Emmie told everyone how we met, yet I could hear the underlying skepticism in his voice.
It wasn’t his place to question it, but that never stopped him before. Not when it came to me. Landon looked out for me longer than anyone, long before I even knew how to do it myself.
“Does it matter how long we’ve been together?” I questioned. Like a moth to a flame, my eyes were drawn to Emmie where she was squatted down in front of Wrenley, talking softly while Josie watched.
When she came through the doors twenty minutes ago, something was different. She looked more relaxed, like a weight had been lifted. But I saw the red ring around her eyes like she had been crying.
When I asked her how breakfast went with her dad she just simply saidgood. I wanted to know more, but Josie and the others swooped in on her before I could, so I guess it would have to wait until later. I was still anxious to know what happened.
“It just seems a bit soon to have her meet the family.” If Landon was trying to be nonchalant about it, he was failing.
On my other side, Wyatt shifted but stayed silent. Is that why they were here next to me, to warn me about Emmie?
“I would appreciate it if you kept whatever you’re thinking to yourself,” I said.
“Well, I, for one, am not thinking anything,” Wyatt said, bracing his forearms on the boards.
“Uh huh.” I glanced over at Landon. “And you?”
“I’m…” He seemed to be looking for the right words. “Just looking out for you.”
“Yeah, okay,” I snarked.
“I just want you to be happy,” Landon defended.
“I am happy.” And it was the truth. For the first time in a long time, I actually was. “And before you go on about her wanting me for my name, Emmie has built a name for herself already. If anything, she’s too good forme.”
“You’re right about that,” Wyatt chuckled.
“Gee, thanks.” I elbowed him in his side.
I could still feel the skepticism rolling off Landon. I didn’t blame him for being protective of me. I knew it was his way of showing his love, but it could be stifling at times.
“You know that feeling you both had when you met Josie and Lydia?” I looked at both my brothers. “From one glance, you justknewshe was the one and nothing else mattered?”
Wyatt looked over at his wife, an expression that I could only describe as adoration covered his face. Even after eight years together, my brother looked at Josie like she was the best thing to ever happen to him.
“Yeah,” he said softly.
Landon stared out at his wife and daughter on the ice, a soft smile gracing his face. A smile we rarely saw before he met and fell in love with Lydia. They both knew exactly what I was talking about.
When Wyatt met Josie, he was still finding his way back from a season-ending injury. He wasn’t himself for the longest time, but somehow, she brought that part of him back to life. And Landon… He’d always been the grumpy one, carrying the weight of everyone else like it was his sole purpose. Until Lydia walked in, and for the first time, he chose himself.
“I know it sounds crazy, but that’s how it feels with Emmie. I know the two of us have only been together for a short time, but I really like her.”
I wanted them to see that. To see that I wasn’t a seventeen-year-old kid anymore that didn’t know what he was doing. I could look out for myself and make decisions, whether they turned out good or not.
“I like her. She’s going to keep you on your toes.” Wyatt straightened, slapping my back.
