Page 161 of What About Us

“My guys have families,” Easton says.

“What are we, chopped liver?” Ava demands, making me smirk. I offer my fist for a bump.

“You know what I mean,” Easton replies. “But it was fun. Merry Christmas.”

It takes him another ten minutes to make the rounds for hugs and goodbyes before he gets out the door, as if none of us will see him for a year.

A couple of hours later, after we’ve all helped tidy the house, it’s time to go home. We brought the new truck, so I climb in the passenger seat while Ivy starts the engine.

“You just like being the passenger princess,” she says, grinning at me.

“Hell yes, I do.”

“So, that’s a normal Christmas for your family?” she asks as she drives to the highway.

“For our family? Yeah, it is. Did you hate it? They’re a lot.”

She shakes her head and bites her lower lip, watching the road in the darkness.

“What’s on your mind, Red?”

“Can we do this always? Even when we have our own kids?”

I reach over for her hand. Our own kids.

Fuck, she destroys me.

“You can have anything you want, baby.”

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

IVY

The Stanley Cup Finals

Sixteen Months Later

“I’m so freaking nervous.”

The whole Hendrix family is with me in our box at the arena, watching Xander and his team play against Dallas. He’s been back in the game since the playoffs last year, and he’s stronger than ever.

The best part? No concussions.

But I won’t speak that out loud and chance jinxing it.

“He’s doing great,” Tucker says. He’s standing beside me. I can’t sit, so Tucker’s on one side and Easton’s on the other. Zack’s nearby too. It’s like all the brothers are hovering to make sure that I’m okay, as if Xander told them to watch over me.

Which is something he would totally do.

“He’s alert, he’s healthy, and they’re kicking ass.” Easton crosses his arms over his chest.

I look up at the jumbotron and check the score. We’re ahead by two in the middle of the third period.

I may be nervous, but I’m not freaking out, which is a huge win in itself. I’ve only had brief moments of worrying about Xander forgetting me, and when I do, he’s always there to reassure me and listen to me.

“Dada! Dada!” Belle chants, holding her arms out for Blake, who takes her from Zack and props her on his hip.

“That’s Uncle X out there,” Blake says, pointing down at the ice. “Can you wave at him?”