AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I run my hands through my hair. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I’m just…scared, I guess.”
“We all play a part, BJ. It doesn’t help to hold on to blame. Make peace with it, learn from it, and move on. The only way is forward.”
34 ONE STEP AT A TIME
Winter
Once we set up a schedule, getting BJ to and from his classes isn’t a problem. After a discussion with his advisor, he drops Advanced Research Methods. It won’t impact his ability to graduate, since he can retake it next semester and get the grade he wants.
We study together, do homework together when possible, and because he’s not on the ice while he’s healing, he comes to some of my hockey practices, and he’s always at my games.
A few days ago, the doctor told him he could switch from crutches to a cane, so we went shopping for one. BJ even makes that accessory look badass. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect, because tonight we’re going to my very first NHL game. Maverick and Clover have come up for it, and Lavender flew in this afternoon. I’m staying with BJ tonight so she and Kody can have her old room. Although I stay at his place most of the time these days anyway, because three flights of stairs is hella ambitious for him at the moment.
We’re congregated in the living room, just waiting on River, who went to pick up Josiah, and Laughlin. The latter has become a semiregular fixture around here over the past month. He shows up randomly, hangs out for a couple of hours, and then disappears.
“Lavender, catch!” Rose tosses something across the room.
Lavender screams and ducks, though the item doesn’t land anywhere near her.
Lovey picks up the roll of tape with a candy cane pattern on it.
“Oh fuck,” BJ mutters.
I remember when Rose was settling in her room and found that roll of tape. BJ told her to hold on to it and give it to Lavender the next time she visited. It isn’t until now that I make the connection to the tie-me-down conversation BJ and I had, which led to the use of silk ties. I choke back a laugh.
Lavender flings her hand in the air. “Why would you throw something at me? You know I have the coordination of a newborn foal.”
Lovey frowns. “Why are you giving Lavender duct tape with candy canes on it?”
“I found it in the closet in Kody’s room when I was unpacking.” Rose crams herself between the twins on the couch. “I thought maybe he’d want it back.”
Lavender’s face turns beet red, and she points an accusing finger at BJ. “You were supposed to take that to the grave.”
“Take what to the grave?” Rose asks. She looks around the room, and most everyone seems like they’re trying not to laugh. Except Maverick. He excuses himself to the bathroom.
BJ holds up his hands. “I didn’t say anything to anyone.”
“No one, huh?” Lavender points to me. “Why doesn’t Winter look surprised?” Then she points to Quinn, who’s crammed into the corner of the couch beside a very confused-looking Lovey. “Or Quinn. Or anyone but Lovey, Lacey, and Rose!”
“I think you’re forgetting that Kody was my roommate for a lot of years, and we played hockey on the school team together,” Quinn says.
Lovey leans in and asks Quinn something, but he shakes his head. “I’ll tell you later.”
Lavender crosses her arms. “Is Mav out of earshot?”
“He’s still in the bathroom,” Clover says.
“Kodiak and I don’t use duct tape anymore! We graduated to less conspicuous methods of restraint after BJ put two and two together last year and realized what was going on. Plus, it was ripping out his arm hair. Can we drop it now, please? Because there are some things my brother doesn’t need to know, and this is one of them.”
“I’m going to need more details on this later,” Rose says.
Lavender waves a hand. “Yeah, yeah. We can talk about it when my brothers aren’t around.”
“When we’re not around for what?” River asks.
“Great! Everyone is here! Let’s roll out!” Quinn shouts, saving Lavender from answering.
We pile into vehicles and make our way to the arena. We have seats behind Philly’s bench and access to a box with food and refreshments, but I’ve never been to a game before, so I want to be on the ice where the action is.
