Page 222 of A Song for You

Jay’s chair scrapes against the floor as he hauls himself to his feet. The sound is jarring, but it’s the sound of Carter’s head smacking the brick wall when Jay slams him against it that makes my stomach drop.

“Jay, stop,” I cry.

“That’s my fucking life you’re talking about,” Jay grits out, pointing at me. His face is red, and his expression murderous. “The love of my fucking life. My future wife. So do me a favor; don’t even look at her until you can show her some goddamn respect.”

Carter gives a disgruntled laugh. “Fuck you.” Then his eyes find mine. “And fuck you too. You make me sick. You’re destroying our family.”

I sob when Jay pushes him again. At the sound, he lets go of my brother and strides over to me. With a comforting shh, he holds me in a strong embrace.

My ability to cry has returned since Jay came back into my life. It’s like I’d frozen into an icicle and lived that way for years, but now that the warmth of the man who loves me has returned, I’m slowly melting. While I hate feeling weak, it’s better than feeling nothing.

I suck in a harsh breath and borrow courage from the man holding me tight. Over his shoulder, I meet my brother’s cold stare. “For thirty years, I’ve given you grace because I know you’re hurt. Maybe more than any of us. But she would be devastated to see what you’ve become. Change, Carter. Or stay out of my life. The choice is yours, but I’m done being your punching bag. I’m done.” I bury my face in Jay’s chest and loop my arms around his waist, knowing full well that I may have to choose between him and my brothers. But the truth is, it’s not a choice. Jay and Chloe are my family. These arms are my home.

Fifty

Jay

Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran

Iglide across the ice fast, zigzagging past Kevin. Beside me, Hayden keeps pace, ready for me to line up the shot. As Beckett barrels toward me, I shoot the puck to the side, and Hayden slices his stick hard against the ice, sending the puck spiraling straight at the goal. Gavin tries to stop it, but as the puck hits the net with a whoosh, both Hayden and I throw our hands up in the air and whoop in excitement.

“Fuck yeah!” I scream, adrenaline coursing through my body. Everything seems to be going my way lately.

Beckett grumps as he skates up to me, but he offers me his glove. “Nice play,” he says as I bump my glove with his.

Amid a little friendly gloating and grumbles, we head toward the sidelines and make quick work of taking off our gear.

“How’d last night go?” Gavin asks as he grabs waters from the cooler next to the bench.

I smile and accept the one he holds out to me. “Couldn’t have gone better.” I squeeze a stream of water into my mouth and grin. “And my daughter, fuck, she’s smart. And pretty. God, the kid is perfect.”

Garreth gives me a rare smile. “When do we get to meet her?”

I sigh. I’m ready to move to the next step. Hell, I’m ready for everything, but I can’t push. “Who knows. It’s her birthday this weekend. She’s going to be twelve.”

“Fuck, almost a teenager. Damn, we’re old,” Beckett mutters. “I can’t imagine having a kid.”

“Yeah,” Gavin grunts. “No one can imagine you having a kid.”

“Fuck you. I like kids,” Beckett grumbles, slamming the back of his hand against Gavin’s chest.

All five of us stare at him.

“What? I’m not any worse with kids than the rest of you. Hell, maybe I have a kid out there somewhere too.”

Gavin laughs. “You are not pleading your case, bro. Just stop.”

Beckett grumbles under his breath and drops to the bench to unlace his skates.

Beside me, Hayden nudges me. “What are you going to do for her birthday?”

Garreth smirks again. Odd, he hasn’t even met my daughter yet, and she’s already made him smile more than any other woman. “He’ll probably buy her a fucking fashion line.”

Hayden laughs. “Or a music label.”

“Those James women do have him wrapped around their little fingers,” Kevin hollers.

“She’s not a fucking James,” my brothers and I say at the same time.