The trolls can say whatever they want. The media can question my changes. My relationship with my mother might never be what I wish it was.
But I have my brothers. I have Avery. And I have hockey.
That's enough.
26
Avery
I'm standing at Liam's stove, flipping pancakes, when his hand lands on my ass with a sharp smack.
“Liam!” I whirl around, spatula raised like a weapon, but I'm laughing.
“What?” He grins, completely unrepentant, reaching around me to steal a piece of bacon from the plate. “You're distracting me with that ass in my kitchen. It's your fault, really.”
“I'm making you breakfast, you menace.”
“And looking hot while doing it.” He pops the bacon in his mouth, then wraps his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. “This is my favorite sight. You, in my kitchen, wearing my t-shirt, making me food.”
“Very domestic of you.”
“I'm a changed man.” His lips find the spot behind my ear that makes me shiver. “You've domesticated me.”
“Hardly.” I flip the last pancake onto the stack.
“But you love it.”
I do. God help me, I do.
Trouble and Princess are sitting by the kitchen island, tails wagging hopefully. They've been so well-trained by Olivia overthe past few months that they don't even beg anymore, just wait patiently for permission.
“They can smell the bacon,” Liam says, releasing me to grab plates from the cabinet. “Look at those faces. How are we supposed to resist?”
“By remembering that Olivia will kill us if we undo all her hard work.” I carry the pancakes to the table. “They get their own breakfast. Not ours.”
“Yes, Coach.”
He says it with that teasing tone that makes me want to kiss him and smack him at the same time. Instead, I watch as he feeds both dogs from their designated bowls, giving them each a pat before joining me at the table.
This has become our routine over the past few weeks. Most nights, I stay here instead of going back to my apartment. Liam insists it's safer and more private. There are fewer chances of being spotted coming and going.
But really, I think he just likes having me here in his space. And I like it too.
We settle into our chairs, plates loaded with pancakes, bacon, and eggs.
“I really enjoyed meeting your brothers,” I say, drizzling syrup over my pancakes. “They're great kids.”
Liam's face creases into a smile. “Yeah, they are. Caden's already talking about coming back for spring break like we planned. He's got this whole itinerary planned.”
“And Travis?”
“Travis just wants to eat pizza and go to more hockey games.” He grins. “Kid's got his priorities straight.”
We'd taken them to dinner after their game at Madison Square Garden two weeks ago, and it had been surprisingly easy. The boys were enthusiastic and funny, peppering Liam with questions about hockey and life in New York.
“You're good with them,” I tell him.
“I'm trying.” He cuts into his pancakes, his expression growing more serious. “I don't think I'll ever forgive John for making me feel like I didn't belong in my own family.”
