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“Shit, pretty girl. You’re the one who’s supposed to be telling me to chill out. I think our whole dynamic gets thrown off if we fuck with that now.”
“Don’t tease me. My hormones are already going crazy. You and your stupid sperm couldn’t be satisfied with just knocking me up. They had to go for extra credit with twins,” she squeaks, and I can’t help the proud smile that pulls at my lips.
“Well, Mrs. Kingston, I’m all about the extra credit.” I look over and see Easton leaning against the wall out of the corner of my eye. “Would you mind if I go talk to Easton? I’m worried about him.”
She kisses me and pulls my bottom lip between hers. “You do what you need to do, Jace. I’m going upstairs and getting in bed.”
“You tired, pretty girl?” I run a hand over her hair and tug.
She shakes her head. “No. I’m going to be in bed, naked and waiting. Don’t be long.”
I watch her walk out of the ballroom and debate following her for a hot fucking second, then make my way over to Easton. “Hey, man.”
“Hey.” He never looks my way as he sips his beer.
“You celebrate a twenty-first birthday I didn’t know about, kid?” I push. Pretty fucking sure he’s still twenty.
“Like you weren’t drinking at my age. I’ve heard the stories.”
“I was out of control at your age. Doesn’t mean you should follow in my footsteps.”
Easton finishes his beer slowly, looking right at me, then pushes the empty away and leans back in his chair. “You come over here to lecture me, Jace?”
“I came over here because I’m worried about you,” I tell him honestly. “I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m fine. Ask the shrink the team forced me to see.” A muscle ticks in his jaw.
“Yeah. You sound fine,” I mock like an asshole. I’m screwing this up. “You’ve been getting into a lot of fights on the ice lately, E.”
“It’s hockey, Jace. We fight. You know that.”
Fuck.I’ve got to remind myself he’s gone through hell, so I soften my tone. “You’re the goalie. The stats on goalies fighting are pretty low.”
“Did Becket send you over here to lecture me?”
“No. I came because I give a shit.” I get a little more in his face. “I came because you saved my sister’s life, and this is the first time I’ve seen you since. I’m worried about you, and I want to make sure you know I’m here if you need to talk.”
Easton pushes his seat back and looks at me. “Yeah well, you’ve done your good deed. I’ll see you on the ice.”
I watch him leave and sit there wondering how I just fucked that up when Becket takes Jace’s seat.
* * *
Becket
“Did you get anywhere with him?” I ask as I watch Easton leave the damn ballroom. “Fuck if he’ll talk to me or Jules about anything.”
“Nah, man. He’s angry. I remember what that was like, and it’s not like any of us knew what to do with our anger at his age.”
“I’m worried it’s more than that. He’s stopped calling. He used to make sure he talked to Jules at least once a week.” I look at my little brother and know if there’s anyone who’ll get through to Easton, it’ll be Jace. But I’m not sure how much I can put on his shoulders.
“Don’t give up on him, Becks. I don’t know where I’d be if you assholes hadn’t been there to keep me in check. Look at me now. I turned out pretty good.” Jace stands from the table, a stupid smile on his face. “Oh, and by the way, you want to be the first to start a rumor for a change?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask because you never really know with Jace.
“Indy’s pregnant.”
When I stand to congratulate him, he adds, “With twins.”
