Page 144 of Hockey Boy
Irritation zips up my spine. “Best friend does not trump husband. Tell her, Lex. Best friend doesnottrump husband.” I sound like a whiney bitch, but there’s no stopping it.
My pink haired bride tosses her head back and cackles. “No. Not doing this. I love you both,” she says, eyes fixed on me now, “but Aiden?—”
Now I’m the one gaping, jaw slack and everything. “Excuseyou?”
She giggles, cupping a hand over her mouth. “Let me finish my sentence,” she says when she’s composed herself.
I fold my arms over my chest, teeth gritted, daring her to continue.
She folds her lips, this time keeping herself in check. “Remember when you said you were sad that you were leaving the hockey building so soon after finally living near your brothers?”
I nod once, the move succinct. Yeah, I love this house, but I didn’t experience the full effect of popping into Brooks’s or Gavin’s apartments whenever I wanted in my short time at the Pad. I’ll definitely be stopping in at Beckett’s—though I’m not sure my presence will be noticed; fuck, there are a lot of people living there—but it’s not the same.
“And you mentioned that you wished more athletes could talk directly to the media like you got the chance to last week. Set the record straight and all. Remember that?”
Now Sara has set her pizza slice in the box and is watching me closely. Huh. Maybe her presence here has something to do with whatever Lennox is tiptoeing around.
“Yeah?”
Sara presses her hands together in a prayer pose and then claps them quietly, bouncing on her knees.
“Then you’re in luck,” Lennox chirps. “Because all your brothers are currently in Beckett’s basement, getting ready to record the first episode of the Langfield brothers’ podcast.”
I jut out my hip and drop a hand to it. “I get my own podcast?”
Lex giggles. “Well, you have to share it with your brothers.”
“This is—” Excitement rushes through me, arcing like electricity. “I mean, I always knew I was meant for big things?—”
Sara cackles. “Get out of here, you lunatic.”
“Was this your idea?” I ask her.
She points at Lex, who’s wearing the biggest smile. “This was all your wife.”
Of course it was. Because Lennox Langfield knows me better than anyone. She’s perfect for me. She always has been.
I launch myself onto the bed, almost sending the pizza box tumbling, which has Goose scrambling to his feet. As I drape myself over my wife, Goose gets up in our faces, covering us both in doggy kisses. It’s yet another of the greatest moments of my life.
Then again, I have a feeling that life is going to be this good from now on. Every day will be better than the last. There’s no more living in the past for me. And when things get dark, I know this woman will be by my side, giving me exactly what I need.
Lennox
“Come on, Becks. It’s for a good cause,” I say, ribbing my brother-in-law.
“I am not taking off my shirt. And for the sixtieth time, don’t call me Becks.”
Aiden, who’s shaking with laughter, pulls me back against his chest. Across from us, Sara and Brooks are chuckling too. Liv is also laughing, though when Beckett glances at her, she presses her lips together, doing a poor job of hiding it.
We’re in Bristol, raising money for Liv’s brother’s fire department.
Like Beckett, Chief Declan Everhart is scowling, though his expression is directed at his best friend, Fitz, who’s trying to get him to take off his shirt too.
I wink at Fitz. We had a plan. Get the hockey players and firefighters shirtless for a few photos, and we’ll sell them to raise even more money. We’re basically in the middle of man Candy Land here. How could we not take advantage?
The town is decked out for Christmas, making the small town feel even cozier. And I’m feeling all sorts of festive.
“It was a mistake to bring the girls in on this episode,” Beckett mutters.