I loved my sister to bits. She was my best friend, though she often said I took my big sister role too seriously. I had to constantly remind myself that we were both adults now. She didn’t need me helping her anymore.
“Tell me everything. Is Tyler Maxwell even hotter in person? He seems like a bad boy.”
“I’ve never seen him on TV. You know I don’t watch hockey.”
She waved her hand, tapping her foot impatiently before leaning against the edge of my desk. “We’re getting off the point. Is he hot?”
“Very.”
“Whew. You noticed. I was afraid you were going to just let that slide, as usual.”
I grinned. "I'm not letting things slide. I usually don't notice, but... well, Tyler Maxwell is in a league of his own. I couldn't help but notice. And besides, he’s very funny and seems to genuinely like kids.”
Emma blinked. “Hmm. Clearly he’s made an impression. So, what are you going to do about it?"
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you know." She wiggled her eyebrows.
I chuckled. "I'm going to do absolutely nothing. He's going to coach the kids, and that’s it. Besides, he’s a bit cocky."
"Oh, I know how you feel about that. But... you're not even a teeny, tiny bit tempted by him?"
"He would tempt any red-blooded woman. The man is practically walking temptation. But I know better."
"Yes, yes. But where's the fun in knowing better?"
"I agree," I said, "but it's not like I even have time to think about stuff like that."
She rolled her eyes. "You can find time if you want to."
That was probably true, but I really had my hands full. I loved my job, but the schedule was quite intensive. When I wasn't searching for volunteer placements, I was busy introducing our volunteers and setting up a plan and whatnot. And most of my free time was dedicated to finishing my house. I’d bought a small bungalow just outside the city, a two-bedroom house that a couple started building last year. They both got jobs in Arizona, though, so they had to relocate and sold the house before they could finish it.
I got the keys already but couldn’t move in. I still had to get the floors and the bathrooms done. So far, I hadn’t had much time to search for construction crews. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle it financially. I was still renting my apartment, and I’d already started paying the mortgage. Those two charges ate up most of my paycheck, so I’d probably try to do some of the stuff myself.
I couldn’t believe I was a homeowner at twenty-nine! Ever since I was a kid, I used to daydream about the house I’d own one day. I was sure my parents were smiling from somewhere above us, feeling proud.
"So, you’re definitely not interested in Tyler?" Emma asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Nope.” Besides, even if he wanted to go out, I was sure he had plenty of puck bunnies to keep him occupied.
"Hmm. Okay. Do you mind if I ask him out?"
My eyes widened with shock. “You’d do that? Just outright ask him?” I didn't think anyone could say I was shy, but I had to admit I wouldn't just up and ask someone I barely knew on a date.
"I don't know. He certainly looks hot."
"No, I don't mind," I said. But I felt a funny twist in my stomach as I spoke.
"Ha." She pointed at me, smiling triumphantly.
"What?"
"You look like a sad puppy. You totally would mind."
"No, I just think it's... Okay, fine. I would. I don't know why, but I would."
She grinned from ear to ear. "I guess that answers my question."
"Which was?"
"I'm going to leave you guessing for now. Come on, let’s grab something to eat."
I shook my head, laughing as I stood from my chair. Tyler Maxwell was a superstar. I was 100 percent sure he’d perfected that charm by using it very often. I wouldn’t fall for that smile. But that smoldering look? That might be a bit harder to resist, but I was going to do my best.
Chapter Three
Tyler
I was the third youngest in my family at thirty-one. Sometimes I described myself as the fourth oldest, depending on what the situation required. Sometimes I had no idea which suited me best, like right now. We were all gathered at my brother Tate’s house, enjoying breakfast on Saturday. Half my family was here.
"You don't have to babysit me," I reminded them. Ever since I was benched, they made it their mission to leave me alone as little as possible. Even though I teased them about it, I enjoyed their support. I usually only had time in the summer to spend with my family, between hockey seasons. But by now, at the beginning of October, I was usually in the trenches with my teammates, training eight hours a day. The first game of the regular season was approaching. I hadn’t been to any of the preseason games.
"We're not babysitting you," Reese said. "We’re keeping you company."
"Exactly," my oldest brother, Declan, added. As a lawyer, he was always the most serious out of all of us, or maybe he became a lawyer because he was serious.
"We can all watch the first game together from my living room," Tate suggested.
Okay, I appreciated that they looked out for me, but this was too much coddling for my taste.
My brother Travis winced. Apparently he picked up on the vibe too. The only ones missing were our brothers Luke and Sam. Sam had been here to celebrate when Travis sold his online startup and stayed after my accident, but he left yesterday to resume his stint abroad with Doctors Without Borders.
Luke was the second oldest, right after Declan, but he couldn't be more different. He'd been the chief troublemaking officer growing up. Luke had all kinds of crazier-than-shit ideas and talked us into almost all of them.
Travis, Sam, and I were a bit of both: sometimes the serious ones, sometimes the troublemakers. It depended heavily on what the situation required.
"I appreciate your concerns, but I want to go watch it from the stands."
"I can come with you and give you moral support," Reese said.
I wondered if there was more to her offer. Her shitty ex-fiancé was finally completely out of her life, but that didn't mean she could forget everything that happened. I suspected she blamed herself because I was benched, and I wouldn't have any of it. I’d decided to go after him, and I’d fight for her honor any day. Sure, he provoked me, but I retaliated, and I took full responsibility for it.
Reese smiled, batting her eyelashes, clearly waiting for a reply.
"Way to make me feel ball-less, Reese."
Gran groaned. "Language, young man."
I cleared my throat. "Sorry, Gran."
She gave me a knowing look.
Declan frowned. "Why do you want to go watch it from the stands? That's going to be uncomfortable for you."
"I'm not banned from actually going there, and I want to show support to my teammates." Oddly, Coach Benjamin didn’t want me to suit up on the bench with the guys like most players did when they were on the injured list. I asked him about it, and he didn’t give me much of an answer. He said some shit about how I needed to think things through before I got that privilege.