I miss him.
Greatly.
I’m thankful for my teammates, though. Everyone has been so supportive. The wives have even been spoiling me with food, especially my cousin Amelia. I’m sitting on her couch with Carter and Hannah, her twins, in my lap, and I bounce them as we watch some kids show that I know nothing about. The house is full, especially the dining room, but I’m focused on Hannah and Carter. It’s easier than socializing when all I wanna do is hide in my bed. When Amelia comes waddling toward me with her huge belly and swollen ankles, she flashes me a look.
I’m unsure if she’s hungry, hurting, or going to hurt me.
“You’re supposed to be in there with the adults.” She points to the twins. “And they’re supposed to be in bed.”
I play as if I have no clue what she is speaking of. Yes, I did go get the kids out of bed. No, I didn’t care that they’re supposed to be asleep. They’re my buddies. And, ew, adults. Adults remind me my brother isn’t here. “They aren’t tired.”
She gives me a dry look as Carter reaches for her. On cue, Hannah yawns loudly.
“Fine.”
I follow her back to the kids’ room, helping her lay them down before we head back out into the living room. “Got a pretty great life going here, Amelia.”
She smiles up at me sweetly. “Thanks. I’m really happy.”
“Surprising. I don’t like it here.”
She laughs. “Because you haven’t accepted this as your temporary home. Get out, meet people.”
Well, that’s the damn truth. I don’t admit that, though, ’cause she’ll tell my mom. “I meet people, and I have yet to meet a decent girl yet. All these girls want to play games.”
She shrugs. “She’s out there.”
“Or I need to go back home. Don’t you miss home?”
She sighs. “I do. I miss Mom and Uncle Shea and Aunt Elli, but then, if I hadn’t left home, I wouldn’t have found Chandler.”
I nod. “True. Oh, I talked to Ryan yesterday.”
Amelia’s eyes light up at the mention of her brother. “I talked to him this morning. He’s supposed to come in with the Assassins in the coming weeks.”
“That’s what he was telling me.”
“Hopefully I drop this kid by then.”
I snort. “Are you sure it isn’t two?”
She gives me a side eye. “No, it’s just one massive one.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders, holding her close. “I’m happy I have you here.”
She kisses my arm, holding me close. “Me too. How you holding up with everything?”
She rubs my back, but I am really starting to hate that question. “I’m fine,” I say, almost on autopilot.
She doesn’t believe me at all, but instead of asking more questions, she flashes me a supportive smile. Together we head to where the people are. With Chandler being the captain of the IceCats, he felt he needed a new house with a lot of space for entertaining. They even scored one on the beach, which was one hell of a lucky break and makes for really cool parties. The kitchen leads out to an outdoor patio that leads onto the beach. The glass patio doors are open wide, and the air is refreshing. Dart is holding Celeste, Kirby Litman’s daughter, and is playing with her as Audrina stands beside him, talking his ear off. Thatcher is in one hell of a conversation about sub sandwiches with Aviva, while her husband, Nico Merryweather, our goalie, holds their son Vance close to his chest.
I have no desire in the world to go out there.
Before I can retreat and sneak away, Chandler smacks my shoulder and guides me to the patio. I liked Chandler before I even came to the IceCats. He’s really good to Amelia and is the strong, quiet type. He’s a great dad, and he treats my whole family with all the respect in the world. He leans in, concern or maybe confusion in his eyes.
“So, tell me why Audrina is here?”
I chuckle quietly as my gaze goes over to the strawberry-blond beauty. Audrina is tall. Like, six feet tall, and thick with muscle. Her eyes are this incredible hazel color, and she’s stunning. For some reason, though, we don’t vibe. I like her as a friend, not as someone I want to bang. Unlike how I was feeling when I saw Paxy at the gym. She was covered head to toe in clothes, but the thought of what was underneath those clothes had my body screaming for hers. Even in that short little time, I felt like we were vibing. Or at least, I wanted us to.
I think she still hates me. Still makes no sense why.
I’ve seen her a few times in the gym, and she kills me with all the clothes she wears. I want to see the goods, but she’s keeping them hidden, and I’m pretty sure it’s not out of modesty. I haven’t forgotten what Evan told me about how she thinks she’s so overweight. In my opinion, she’s not, and I won’t miss a chance to tell her that. I may be coming on a little too strong, but I’m dead set on getting her attention.
It’s the only attention I want.
Unlike Dart, who wants everyone’s attention and to bang them all. I’m not surprised to see him grinning widely at Audrina and her returning the grin.
“She’s either in love with Dart or really is just Thatcher’s best friend.”
He gives me a side eye. “We aren’t supposed to date within the company.”
“Yes, Captain, I know this, but I don’t know if Dart does.”
“Or cares.”
“That either.” It’s in that moment that Thatcher smacks Audrina’s ass. “Or Thatcher doesn’t either.”
Chandler groans loudly. “You young’uns are gonna drive me out of my mind.”
I grin over at him, and he smacks me playfully in the chest before walking to the buffet table Amelia has set up with all kinds of meats, cheese, and snacks from all over. I’m usually partial to the cheese, but today, I’m not feeling it. Since I can’t leave, I head to where Dart sits with Celeste. She reaches for me as soon as she sees me. I’ve got a thing with kids; we’re all friends. I take her and kiss her cheek before sitting down. I look around, realizing someone is missing. “Where is Jaylin?”
Kirby swallows the gulp of beer he just took and nods. “She had to work late. She’s planning on coming by once she’s done.”
I nod. I love Kirby’s girl Jaylin just as much as I love Celeste. “You knock her up yet? Celeste told me she needs a sister.”
Unlike some guys who would be running away from relationships, Kirby grins. “Working on it.”
“Can you marry her first?” Aviva asks, speaking of her best friend.
“How long did it take y’all to get married? A baby came first, right?” Kirby asks, and she snaps her lips shut.
“Touché, good sir,” Aviva says as she leans into Nico, both of them laughing. I don’t know them well, and Nico hardly speaks when we’re on ice. When we’re off, he’s usually talking about Aviva or Vance. That’s often when Dart will bring up Aviva’s sister, who Nico has decided is his daughter, I guess, or something like that, and then we all get a good laugh at how angry he gets. Overly protective is putting it mildly. I almost say her name, just to get a rise out of him, but I’m not in the mood.
Dart looks around. “Did you give Jean the night off?”