“Guess it’s a good thing that evil stepsister was there after all,” Keller says, and I feel his eyes on me with each word.
I don’t turn around and look at him, even though I desperately want to correct him for calling her evil. She certainly wasn’t evil this morning when she was in nothing but my shirt. In fact, she looked like a fucking angel.
“I’m sure Auden felt more comfortable having someone there until Hutch arrived,” Fox agrees.
They continue talking about the baby, but I’m no longer listening. I’m still trying to get the image of a pants-less Nessa out of my head.
“I am an uncle!”
Several guys around the room groan as Lawson walks in. It’s not an unusual reaction.
“Um, dude, you were already an uncle,” Hayes says, following right behind him. “Your brother has a kid, remember?”
“Of course I remember. There’s no way I could forget about Jacob and Stevie’s daughter, Macie. Do you have any idea how cool that kid is? She could give Fox a run for his money in net.”
“Hey, whoa,” Fox says, clearly offended. “She’s like twelve or some shit.”
“And…?” Lawson gives him a pointed look. “Anyway, I know I was already an uncle, but I’m an uncle again.”
“Not really,” Keller points out. “You and Rory aren’t married.”
Lawson gasps dramatically. “How dare you! We might not technically be married, but we’re going to be together forever.”
“Then why haven’t you put a ring on her finger yet?” Hayes challenges.
Keller snorts. “As if that stops someone from leaving.”
Several of us look over at him.
He glances up. “What?” he barks.
Fox’s eyes connect with mine, and I shrug. I have no idea what his problem is. I usually don’t.
“Because I’m waiting for the right time. I have to be careful with Rory. She spooks easily,” Lawson says.
“Or maybe she just doesn’t like you as much as you think she does.”
Lawson flips Keller off. “She loves me. Stop being jealous.”
“Of you? Never. Besides, how can I be when I have your mo?—”
“Keller, I fucking swear?—”
Lawson moves to go after the instigator just as our coach walks into the room.
“That’s enough!” Coach Smith yells, and everyone freezes. “You two want to fight? Take it out on the ice. No throwing punches in the locker room. Now get dressed. I want you on your skates in five.”
The hustle in the room picks up as we all start to get dressed just a little faster, rushing to get out there before our time is up. Coach Smith is a fantastic leader and an even better guy, but when he says he wants us out on the ice in five minutes, he means it. I really don’t want to bag skate today as punishment for being late.
Five minutes later, I’m surrounded by my teammates in the rink. Just being out here already has tension easing out of myshoulders. My neck feels looser, as do my legs, and I am more than ready to feel the cold air on my face as we get practice started.
“All right, listen up. We’re going to start with?—”
“Sorry, sorry! I’m here!”
To everyone’s surprise—but maybe especially mine—Hutch comes barreling onto the ice, looking like he barely slept a wink last night.
Fuck. I didn’t expect to see him today. I thought I had more time to figure out what I’m going to say to him. My stomach churns at the idea of the conversation. What am I even supposed to say?Hey, I slept with your stepsister who you hate, and now she’s moving in with me.No, that sounds stupid as fuck.
