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“I think we do,” he counters, giving me a determined look.
“I don’t want to draw any attention to us. Can you just please act like you don’t know me?” I plead and my jaw is so taut it may snap. My insides shake, and my heart beats a mile a minute.
“Um. . .” Patty begins to back up. “Ima leave you two alone.” She quickly turns away and walks over to Crew. She kneels beside him, and Kevin walks over to play with them too.
“Oh, I see you two met,” Flynn says, walking over to Liam and me smiling wide like she is pleased.
I nod.
“We actually know each other from high school,” Liam shares with Flynn. I guess there’s no point in beating around the bush.
Her blue eyes widen. “What a coincidence.” She seems pleased with this revelation.
I shoot daggers at Liam because I need him to shut his mouth. These people are the closest thing I have to family. I don’t want to lose my shit on him in front of everyone.
“Do you know Owen and James too?” Flynn asks. I know she’s just being polite, but my anxiety is through the roof right now. My mind is spinning. I can barely focus on what she’s asking me with Liam in front of me.
“I haven’t met them. I didn’t realize Liam was playing for the Rangers,” I say, trying to keep my voice even.
“How long has it been?” Flynn asks him.
“My third season now,” he replies, smiling at her.
“He’s been such a welcome addition to the team,” Flynn praises.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sanders. I appreciate you saying that and thank you so much for having me tonight,” Liam says. He’s so grown up. He’s not the boy I remember, but a man in every way, shape, and form. His jaw is more cut, his five o’clock shadow is glorious, and the way his dress shirt and suit jacket hug his muscular frame should be illegal. He was always handsome, but now he’s an Adonis, and my body hums from being close to him.
“Yes, Flynn. Crew is in heaven here with all these people. I really do appreciate you hosting us once again,” I say.
She claps her hands together. “We just adore that little boy,” she declares. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on things in the kitchen.”
Liam and I both nod.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he says.
“I’m thinking the same thing,” I answer dryly. “You clearly weren’t here last year.”
He frowns. “Last year, I spent Christmas on my own. Figured this was a better option since I got drunk and just felt bad for myself. I haven’t celebrated Christmas since. . .” He chokes on his words, and I feel them pierce me in the center of my chest.
“I’m sorry. . . I didn’t realize.” I swallow hard.
“When I was in college, I got a job working at a ski resort. I spent Christmas out in Colorado with the other employees at the resort. Once I got into the NHL, I figured that wasn’t going to fly anymore. People recognize me,” he explains.
“Sorry. That must have been tough,” I say. I feel like I’ve swallowed a frog. Every muscle in my body is tense. I can’t do this here with him now.
“Yeah.” He coughs to clear his throat.
“So you have a son,” he starts, raising his brows and looking at me with puppy dog eyes. “Are you married?”
“I’m not,” I respond, rocking back on my heels.
“I see,” he says, looking me in the eyes with his baby blues. It’s like he’s trying to read what’s in my mind or know what’s in my heart. It’s unnerving.
I nod.
“Is he Carter’s?” he asks. “I just figure age-wise.”
I look around to see if anyone heard him. No one has ever asked me about Crew’s father except for Patty, and it’s a secret she promised to take to the grave.
