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“That’s miles away. You’ll have to buy a car.”
“Rachel’s got a car.”
“You’ll still have to get up stupid early to make it to class on time.”
“So?”
Ethan starts chuckling. “Baby, your inner koala bear will die. She can’t handle early mornings, you know that.”
She huffs out her nose, crossing her arms and ignoring his common sense.
I wink at him, and we share a grin across the table while Mikayla sulks. She’s just pissed because Liam’s right. Nothing we saw today was good enough, and Mick hates losing.
“You know, I could always ask my aunt and uncle if they’ve got any listings you could check out. Maybe I could sweet-talk them into some kind of deal.” Asher leans back in his chair, resting his feet on the back of the couch.
Mikayla and I bolt upright in unison. “Really?”
“Why didn’t you offer that before, you jackass?” Ethan throws a card at his head.
Asher snickers, grabbing it off the table and flicking it back. “I only just thought of it.”
“Can you think a little faster next time?” Liam grumbles. “Today was a suck-fest that could have been avoided.”
I watch my grumpy boyfriend stalk into the kitchen, knowing this isn’t the only reason for the suckiness of his day, but he isn’t about to get into it with his hockey bros. It makes me feel kind of special that he shares those intimate details with me and not everyone.
We’ve really grown close since the Christmas break, and as we hit the middle of January, I’m feeling kind of good about how things are unfolding…
Monday classes have begun, and they’ve helped distract Liam from his family drama. Asher spoke to his uncle, who promised to see what he could find, which meant Mikayla and I could stop thinking about housing for a little bit and just get on with life.
Things are busy. Between hockey training and games, assignment work and my job, Liam and I have hardly seen each other the past few days, and I am once again home by myself after a dayshift at the diner. Mick’s at the library with her study group, and I’m preparing a feast in the kitchen. The guys are always ravenous after practice, and on the nights I’m home, I try to have dinner basically on the table when they walk in the door. If they know I’m cooking, they’ll pass up eating at the athletes’ dining hall and come home, so I never mind putting in the effort.
The beef stroganoff is smelling pretty tasty. I give it a stir before putting the lid back on and turning to check on the cake in the oven. I’ve been researching healthy recipes for the guys and have managed to create a sugar-free zucchini chocolate cake that tastes amazing. It’s moist and chocolatey, and the stevia gives it just enough sweetness to fool you into thinking it’s a sugary treat.
I’m pretty proud of my efforts. I love redesigning recipes. It can lead to a whole lot of failures, of course, but when you hit a win, it’s freaking triumphant. I’ve been compiling recipes and notes, storing them away for my future dream. Even though I don’t know how it will ever happen, I can’t seem to let go of the hope that one day I’ll own a bakery. It’s become a habit to file away my ideas… just in case.
The doorbell rings and I close the oven door, resetting my timer for fifteen minutes before wiping my hands on a towel. My stomach twists uncomfortably, the house suddenly feeling cavernous and empty as I shuffle into the entryway. Thankfully, there’s a window right beside the door, and I take a quick peek.
I don’t recognize the man standing on the steps. He’s older, tall, but hunched over and looking kind of fragile.
The main thing is that he’s not Matt or Theo or anyone I recognize.
When he bends over and starts coughing like he’s sick, something in my chest gives a sharp tug and I’m reaching for the lock before I can stop myself.
“Hi.” I greet the man. “Can I help you?”
He coughs into his fist again before eyeing me up with a slow nod. “I’m looking for Liam Carlisle.” His voice sounds rough, like he’s swallowed a glass full of gravel.
My eyes narrow slightly and I grip the wood, trying to figure out who this person is.
“Um… he’s not home right now. Can I pass on a message?” I probably should invite him in out of the cold, the way Liam invited me in when I first got here.
But… I don’t know this man.
He sighs, resting his palm on the doorframe. I take a step back, my polite smile getting a little tense.
“Tell him…” The man licks the corner of his mouth. “Tell him his father wants to see him.”
“His father?” I jolt, then have to work overtime to pull my expression into line.
