Page 187 of Risking the Pucking Defense

As I take my place at the table, I look around at them all in awe.

“Don’t you all have jobs and stuff you should be doing?” I ask.

“Even my boss lets me have time off every now and then,” Sienna teases, shooting Bea a look.

“Time off?” Bea questions. “This is a work research trip. Don’t be thinking you get to relax.”

“Jeez, such a ball buster.” Sienna laughs.

We all fall into easy conversation as a server comes over and takes our drink orders.

My next cocktail hits me hard, allowing me to let go of the last of my anxiety over all this and just enjoy. I smile a lot and laugh harder as the conversation jumps around among our jobs, hockey, TV, Bea’s pregnancy, and a whole host of other things.

When our food is delivered, I’m not embarrassed to admit that I absolutely devour it.

More drinks arrive, and instead of selecting a dessert, I’m once again subjected to the full birthday experience when a cake with flickering candles heads toward me and everyone starts singing.

It’s a good thing I like Hayden so much, because I could kill him for making me the center of attention like this.

“Make a wish,” Bea says as the cake is placed before me.

Just like I did when I was a kid, I close my eyes, make my wish, and then blow out the candles.

With stomachs full and an overflowing tote bag of gifts from them all, we make our way back to the spa. Bea and I head for the loungers again while the others get changed.

“You’re okay with them joining, right? I thought it would be good to have the whole group. Well, aside from Parker. But I also wanted some time with you first.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you so much.”

The others join us, and we all jump into the pool and continue where we left off upstairs.

It makes me question why I fought so hard all the times they’ve tried to drag me into their circle before.

“Are you coming to Dad’s team barbecue?” Casey asks.

“Uh…”

“You should absolutely come,” Freya says.

“It’s for the team. I don’t think I’m invited.” That’s a big fat lie. Hayden’s already invited me and tried to convince me it’ll be okay to join.

“You are a part of the team,” Bea insists. “They’d be nothing without you, and you know it.”

“They’re fully grown men who are capable of…yeah, I guess you’re right,” I say with a laugh.

“So you’ll come?” Casey asks excitedly. “I’m looking forward to having my girls there.”

“Parker usually goes, doesn’t she?” Freya asks.

“Yeah, but that was before.”

“Before you broke all the rules and hooked up with one of your father’s players and Parker realized she was madly in love with her brother’s best friend?” I ask teasingly.

“Yep, that’s about it. God, last year was hot. Parker told Kodie there was a spare bathroom to change in upstairs and directed him to my bedroom, where I was just in a towel,” she says, her eyes glazing over as she thinks back.

“You fucked Kodie under your father’s roof?” Sienna asks. “That’s hot.”

“Yeah, it was pretty hot.”