Page 70 of Pretty Little Scars

“Shit. What is it? Just tell me.”

Xander loves what he does, but he hates being away from home. He comes back to Montana every summer and spends most of his offseason here, only traveling back for promo for the team.

“Ava’s engaged.”

He’s quiet for about ten seconds.

“She’s not marryingChad.”

“Why do we all say his name like he’s shit on our shoe? He’s an attorney. Has a decent reputation around town. You know he helped Juliet and Brooks last year.”

“Yeah, he’s also not good enough for our baby sister, so it sounds like I need to make a trip home so I can kick his teeth in.”

I can’t help the grin that takes over my face.

“How are you feeling about the playoffs?”

“We’ll be in it for a while yet,” he says confidently. “But I have three straight days off soon, and I’ll be coming home for a day.”

“For aday?”

He’s quiet, and then replies with “I’m homesick, man.”

“Well, then come on. We’re here. I’ll make sure your house is ready for you.”

“We’ll kick’s Chad’s ass when I get there. Tell Easton.”

I laugh and glance inside and see Ava and Darby laughing together too.

Fuck, she fits in here so well.

“What aren’t you telling me?” he asks.

“Remember the vet intern? Darby?”

“The pretty girl who likes hockey? Duh.”

“Yeah, well, she’s mine.”

Another silence. “I really need a trip home. I’m missing every fucking thing.”

“Let me know when you land next week, and I’ll pick you up.”

“Fuck yes, you will. I’ll keep you posted.”

We say goodbye, and then I frown out at the mountains. By the end of each season, Xander’s always ready to come home for a couple of months, but I’ve never heard him quite like this.

I don’t think he’s ever admitted to me that he’s homesick before.

Wondering what my stubborn brother isn’t telling me, I go back inside to find my sister gone and Darby holding a reusable grocery bag.

“I’m going out to gather arnica,” she announces. “And then I’ll check the horses in the barn. I feel bad that I didn’t go out to take care of them this morning.”

“Scott is covering the weekend,” I inform her. “You have a few days off to do as you wish.”

“Wow.” She shimmies her shoulders. “I won’t know what to do with myself.”

“I have plans for you, Duchess.” I press my lips to her cheek and then kiss down to her neck, and she arches into me as her breath catches.