“Yeah, you were a kid the last time I saw you, how old are you now?”
“Some still think I’m a kid,” she grumbles. “I’m twenty.”
I nod, but don’t get to say anything else because other voices in the house get louder, and I suddenly remember why I hated coming to these “family gatherings.”
What’s worse than having six hockey players in the same space? Having themandall their kids. It’s not the noise or energy because that shit I would deal with at the gym. It’s all the inside jokes, terms I don’t understand and stories I wasn’t a part of.
Because I don’t belong here.
The thought starts to make its way into my consciousness, but then I see her. She looks up and notices me. I expect to see shock, nervousness, something, but I’m met with a small smile instead and it practically knocks me back.
And she’s not standing with Grayson. She’s near her oldest brother, Steele, Evie, and my sister. I look around to see everyone else is doing their own thing, some are talking. Brent carries in alarge tray stacked with ribs from the back porch. Matt is on the couch with Grayson and Easton playing some video game while Rae’s other brother, Nash, watches. Vince is talking to Charlie and Rae’s dad, Jared. Chandler is talking to Rae’s mom, Spencer, and Colton and Brynn.
It's all so familiar, but overwhelming at the same time.
Maya joins her mom who wraps her arm around her daughter’s shoulder, pulling her into a side hug. That’s when Audrey looks up and notices me, waving me over, unknowingly bringing me over to someone who may or may not even want to see me.
But that smile was something, I think.
When I join the small group my sister is talking already. “…I’m sure you all remember Asher. He just moved back.”
Rae rolls her lips together and looks down at her feet, though I swear I see a smirk on her face she tries to hide.
“Hey, man, nice to see you again.” Steele extends his hand for a quick shake.
Evie gives me a small wave.
“Hey.” I nod. “I know Rae remembers me.”
Her head shoots up, eyes wide looking at me in panic.
“We ran into each other in Vegas.” I smirk.
“Right.” She nods and then starts her adorable nervous tick I’ve noticed when she stutters and speaks quickly. “Y-yeah, he came to my show. We saw each other afterwards. Briefly, not really, just said hi. Yup, it’s good to see you again.”
Evie looks at her with narrowed eyes, seeming suspicious, but doesn’t say anything.
“What brought you back?” Steele asks, and I clench my jaw, expecting the question, but still a little irritated by it. I never had a problem with Steele; he’s a couple years older than me and tends to keep to himself which I appreciate.
“Just taking a little break,” I lie with a shrug, hiding my grimace at the movement as a sharp pain shoots down my left arm.
“Was this break by choice?” Rae questions with raised eyebrows in a challenge.
I run my tongue along the inside of my bottom lip with a huff of laughter. She knows what she’s doing, and it makes me want to haul her away from the group so I can push her against a wall and show her what happens when she tries to fuck with me.
“In a way,” I answer. “I got a little injury and need to recover.”
“You couldn’t recover in Oregon?” Evie asks.
“I could have, but Denver had better options for me. I’ll be back in the cage fighting soon.” I want this conversation to end.
“Well, we’re glad you’re back.” Audrey smiles, and I furrow my brow because I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but I’m not going to call it out right now.
“I’m going to get a refill, anyone want anything?” Rae asks, looking into Evie and Steele’s cups.
They shake their heads, and I watch her turn to leave, but the desire to follow her overwhelms me.
“I’m going to grab something,” I tell whoever is listening but don’t stick around to hear if they say anything because I follow Rae into the kitchen, but as soon as we turn a corner and I think we’re out of eyesight of anyone who may be paying attention, I grab her hand, pulling her through a door that ends up leading to a pantry.
