AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, maybe it’s ayouthing,” Darius corrects.
Orion points his fork at him. “Of course you’d say that. You’re getting married.”
I laugh. “Well, what do you know? I guess not all guys share your viewpoint.”
“I certainly don’t,” my dad says. “I didn’t even have a bachelor party.”
“That’s because they didn’t have them back then,” Orion says, and we all laugh.
“Calista, how’s your business doing?” Darius asks, changing the subject.
After working for a marketing firm since I graduated from college, last summer I decided it was time to do something with my love of cooking. I dipped into my savings and started my own personal chef/catering business.
“I have a few clients who purchase weekly meals from me and I’ve been catering a lot of parties,” I say.
“That’s great. It’s too bad Ryder never cashed in on his weekend with you as his personal chef,” Darius says, referring to the auction prize I donated that his teammate placed the winning bid on.
My heartbeat trips at the mention of his name. Ryder Goode has been my celebrity crush since he began playing for the Coyotes. Unfortunately, my entire family is aware of this. Darius even gifted me with a Coyotes hoodie with Ryder’s last name on the back.
“That’s okay. The money went to charity and that’s what matters,” I say.
Christos chuckles.
“What?” I ask.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Ryder will be calling you any day, sis,” he says, sarcasm dripping from each word.
I roll my eyes. “I’m sure.” It’s not like I expected Ryder to follow through. However, if I’m honest with myself, I was hoping he would. But at the same time, part of me was dreading the call because it would mean being in his company for a weekend. I’m not sure I’d be able to get my brain to function if he was within twenty feet of me, never mind prepare his food.
“Oh, for sure,” Orion nods. “Their season ended a week ago. “He’ll be dialing your number in no time.”
“Ha ha,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.
“What?” Orion holds his palms up. “I’m being serious.”
“Hmm.” I know he’s not. Christos and Orion like to make me the butt of their jokes.
“I can remind Ryder, if you want,” Darius offers.
I shake my head emphatically. “No, please don’t.” That would be all kinds of embarrassing for me.
“Good. I don’t want you within fifty feet of him,” he says.
“Why’s that?” Mom asks.
He gestures at me. “Cause she’s my sister and he’s a guy.”
My mom smiles. “Agóri mou, you can’t protect your sister from every man.”
Darius shrugs. “Maybe not, but I can keep her away from the ones who are players. And I don’t mean hockey, Mom.”
While I appreciate his good intentions, I’m also perturbed by them. I’m thirty-one years old for God’s sake. I’m not some innocent wallflower he needs to protect.
“In case you’ve forgotten, or maybe you choose to ignore it, I’m a grown-ass woman who’s been taking care of herself just fine. I don’t need myyoungestbrother to shelter me from the big, bad men of the world.”
“Tough shit. You’re getting it anyway,” he states, but the smile that follows belies his harsh tone.
“Lucky me,” I grumble, looking back and forth between my parents. “Why couldn’t you two have given me sisters?”
