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“He’s not. Stubborn as hell, but not stupid.”
“You really like him, huh?”
I nod my head.
“Boyfriend?” He says the word like it’s painful.
“Yes, but don’t tell him I called him that. I’m holding out on the whole commitment thing a bit longer. He wanted to put a label on us from the start, and I think he’s out of his mind. But right now, things are good. Well, apart from my brother hitting him with a damn hockey stick.”
“You’re happy?”
“Extremely.” I smile.
“Don’t worry, Dad already told us all we aren’t allowed to cause any real damage to the fucker.”
“Well, Daddy did pay a lot of money for him to play on the team.”
“No, it’s because he said you deserve to be happy and he’s right. You do deserve happiness, Lia. Just wish it was with someone who wasn’t on my fucking team.”
“Okay, well, good talk, bro.” I stand from the sofa. “Please try to keep a level head. Whatever you’re going to do, make sure it’s something you can live with afterwards.”
Gray nods his head silently. I can see the turmoil in his eyes. It’s breaking my heart, and right now I hate this Kathryn woman for putting that look on my brother’s face.
I lean up and kiss his cheek. “You are not just your family, Gray. You are Grayson fucking Monroe, one of the NHL’s best players. You’re going to end up in the hall of fame. You’re kind and loyal, and I couldn’t ask for a better brother. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not worth it,” I tell him.
“Right back at ya, sis,” he says.
I smile and leave him to his packing. As I’m walking up the hall to Liam’s room, I pull out my phone and send Vinny a text.
Me:
Gray is coming back early. Make sure he doesn’t do anything life-alteringly stupid.
Vinny:
It’s Gray. He’s always doing something life-alteringly stupid.
Me:
This is true. But he’s bent up about Kathryn resurfacing. With a kid.
The ringtone on my phone blasts through the otherwise quiet hallway. “Hey.”
“Is it his kid?” Vinny asks me.
“He says no. But I’m not convinced.”
“Where is he now? And where the fuck did she turn up?”
“He’s in his hotel room packing, and apparently Kathryn’s the mother of a girl from the youth league that Liam and I visited a few weeks back. Gray saw her in the newspaper clipping.” When I turn the corner, I find Liam standing in the hallway, waiting for me. Our eyes meet. “Vinny, I gotta go. Just keep an eye on him.”
“Wait. Hold up. What’s this shit Dad’s saying about you having a boyfriend?” Vinny asks.
I roll my eyes. “Bye, Vinny. Talk later.” I hang up and a message pops up right away.
Vinny:
This conversation isn’t over, Lia.
