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“Relax, kid.” Noah smothered a laugh. “Rory gives me hell all the time for saying inappropriate things.”
“I bet she does,” Mason grumbled beneath his breath, his gaze snagging mine. He smiled, and I smiled back, unsure of what game we were playing.
He confused me. More than any guy I’d ever tried to get to know. It was disconcerting to feel so unsure of myself. But I’d promised myself I wouldn’t push either.
A promise I intended on keeping.
No matter how much I wanted to say to hell with it and throw my chips in… again.
Why did I have to be like this? So willing to risk my heart over and over for a shot at something real? I mean, I knew why. It was all his fault.
James Dixon. The man. The myth. The legend. And the bitter, bitter disappointment.
People didn’t know him the way I did. They only knew his legacy. The mark he’d almost made on pro hockey. They didn’tknow.
But I did.
I’d lived it for the last eighteen years.
“Glad to know Austin was your favorite tonight,” Mason said, ruffling his brother’s hair.
“Mase!” Scottie batted his hand away. “Don’t do that.”
“Relax, bud. I’m just messing with you. What looks good to eat?” He slid an arm along the back of the booth, studying the menu in Scottie’s hand.
“I want pancakes.”
“I’m not sure they do pancakes here. What about a plain hot dog and fries?”
“Pancakes,” Scottie said.
“Come on, bud. That’s not going to be possible right now. But tomorrow morning, I’ll take you for pancakes.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
“Can Harper come?”
Everyone swung their gazes to me, and I wanted the leather banquette to swallow me whole.
“I… Actually, I have plans in the morning.”
“What plans?” Scottie asked, earning him a disapproving look from his big brother.
“If Harper says she has plans, that’s her business, bud.”
“But I’ll see you on Wednesday at the center,” I added, hoping it would pacify him.
“What are you going to eat, Harper? What about the cross-tamination.”
“Cross-tamination?” Mrs. Steele asked.
“Cross-contamination, I’m celiac.”
“Sorry, of course. Mason told me he had to take care of you.”
“Mom…” He grumbled.
