Page 119 of Hockey Boy
Sara drops her head and gives it a shake. “You have no idea,” she mouths. “I’ve walked in to find our future sister-in-law fixing her lipstick too many times to count.”
I waggle my brows. “Get it, Liv.”
Grasping my hand, Sara pulls me through her door. “I’ll just email her that we’ll be ready for her when they’re done.”
With a chuckle, I settle into the couch in her office. I’ll never get over how nice her space is. It always smells like fall in her office because of the diffuser she keeps going. There’s also an entire bookshelf filled with pictures of her family and friends.
My personal favorite is a picture of her sitting on Brooks’s back as he does one hundred push-ups on the ice while in full gear—their pregame ritual. She’s got this big smile on her face that only comes out when she’s around her fiancé.
A light tapping has us turning our attention to the door.
When Ava tentatively peeks in, I squeal. “Oh, hi, girlfriend.”
Ava is still pretty quiet around us, and it’s probably a good thing. I’m not sure our group of friends could take another loudmouth like Sara and me. Hannah is sarcastic and a badass boss babe, but she’s not loud. Millie is quieter, though not timid in the least.
Ava seems like she’s always one wrong move away from breaking. Like a beautiful piece of blown glass created by a difficult situation that has left her incredibly delicate.
“Liv asked me to be around for the meeting, but I can wait in the hall until it’s time, if you girls are catching up,” she says in her soft way.
“Stop it.” Sara scowls. “We’ve been over this. You’re one of us girls.”
With a deep breath, Ava sets her shoulders and floats into the room. Her long, thick red hair is probably the heaviest thing about her. Other than her personality. She’s constantly surrounded by sadness. The only time I’ve seen it lift is when she’s around Josie.
And she hasn’t seen Josie in weeks. Since the little girl went to live with her mother and her mother’s fiancé, all she’s gotten is a few photos and vague updates here and there. But we do know that Josie is healthy and happy. It’s hard to ask for anything more.
“How are things with Xander?” I ask.
Ava clutches her iPad to her chest. “Still pretty new, but good.”
Sara chuffs out a breath. “I still can’t believe you’re dating a guy who’s related to War.”
Ava’s grip on the iPad tightens further, her knuckles turning white. “Yeah.”
Curiosity has me leaning forward. Aiden is close with War, especially now that War is captain, because Aiden has always been invested in helping his teammates, the rookies more than anyone. I like War. He’s got a rough exterior, but like with Ava, I think there’s more to his story.
“How’s he been?”
Ava shrugs. “They aren’t close, so I see him more at work than when I’m with Xander.”
Sara perks up. “Brooks mentioned that.”
Ava nods, pressing her lips together. “Xander is close with his stepfather, but I guess War isn’t. After his parents’ divorce, War chose to live with his mom and really didn’t visit his dad. The guys had barely met before they were in high school, even though they’d been stepbrothers for years and years.” She lowers her gaze to the floor between us. “I don’t know. Family is difficult, I suppose.”
I snort. Truer words have never been spoken.
“That’s why we have each other,” Sara says.
“That we do,” Liv chimes in from the doorway.
I practically jump out of my chair, straightening my skirt, my heart suddenly pounding. It’s strange, feeling like I have to make a good impression while simultaneously knowing this woman is about to become family. “Hi, Liv.”
As she steps into the office, her cheeks are flushed, and the tie on her wrap dress is askew.
Behind her, Beckett strides in wearing a smile, looking perfectly presentable.
Liv glances back at him, and in response, his eyes settle possessively on her lips. God, I love them.
“Stop,” she hisses, obviously seeing what we all see.