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We said goodbye and hung up, and oddly, I felt lighter. Things would take time to heal between us, but part of me knew she was a victim, too. It didn’t excuse her taking sides over the years, but I got it. She loved him, and she was right; sometimes, love made you do crazy things.
“Is everything okay?” Melinda asked me as I rejoined her on the bench.
“Yeah, I think so.”
She reached over and patted my hand, offering me a warm smile.
“Seriously, bud, have you been practicing on the sly?” Mason gawked after Scottie as he deked around his older brother and took off toward the net with the puck.
“Go, Scottie.” Melinda and I clapped, watching Mason get his ass handed to him by a twelve-year-old.
“I hope I’m not speaking out of turn,” she said. “But Mason told me some things… about your father, and I just wanted to say that you will always have a place here with us. Even if that son of mine screws things up between you guys. And I’ll let you in on a little secret, I’m really hoping he doesn’t.” Melinda winked. “My boys both see something in you, and it’s your heart, Harper. The fact Mason trusts you with Scottie tells me all I need to know, and I’m just so happy you met my boy. Or should I say boys.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
She squeezed my hand again. “You should go out there with them. I know Scottie would love it.”
“I don’t want to impede on their time together.”
“Harper, they love you. Go. I’ll be more than happy watching from the sidelines.” She gave me a reassuring pat on the hand.
With a small nod, I got up and headed for the ice.
“Harper. Harper’s coming on.” Scottie headed in my direction, his one-on-one game with Mason all but forgotten.
“Look at you,” I said. “You’re doing so good out here.”
“I’m not scared anymore,” he beamed. “Check this out.” Scottie whizzed around me in circles, making me a little dizzy.
“Okay, bud. Why don’t we let Harper find her balance before wowing her with your skills.”
“I’ve got skills, too, you know,” I teased.
“Show me, show me.” Scottie took off toward the net, leaving me with Mason.
“Go easy on him. He likes to win,” he said.
“So this is strategic losing?” I arched a brow, smothering my laughter. “Because from where I was sitting, it looked a hell of a lot like Scottie was out skating you.”
“He’s my little brother. Of course I’m going to let him win.”
“Right. And me? Will you let me win?”
He closed the gap, lowering his face to mine. “Always.”
“Harper, Harper. Come on. I want to show you—”
“He’s going to steal you away every time we bring him out here, isn’t he?” Mason grumbled, but my heart soared at the fact he was already thinking about next time.
“That’s because I’m his favorite.”
“No way. I’m his big brother. He idolizes me.”
“You really want to put it to the test?”
“Funny.” Mason scowled. “I don’t mind sharing you on the ice. So long as I get you all to myself off it.”
“So you don’t want to take him to the arcade after we get done here?” I gave him a coy smile.
