Page 62 of Hockey Boy
Laughter echoes around the room, and as we all settle down, the guys launch into a conversation about the current baseball season and then the upcoming hockey season.
Despite how nervous I am at the prospect of Aiden moving in with me, this is one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.
“Why is Mario wearing a raccoon costume?”I shout over my shoulder.
There’s an oversized Super Mario Figurine in the refrigerator. The guy even has raccoon eyes.Cool.
“The better question is why is there a Mario in your fridge, Beckett?” Gavin appears in the kitchen doorway, laden with food containers.
The girls are in the living room with a bottle of wine, giggling over the bridesmaid dresses they’re perusing on Liv’s laptop, so we offered to clean up dinner.
With one hand on the fridge door, I spin to face Gavin. “That’s obvious. To protect the orange soda.”
Brooks chuckles. “Only you would understand the inner workings of a six-year-old.”
“I’m seven, Uncle Brooks,” Finn declares.
Crouching to his level, I hold out a fist. “What’s with the costume, little dude?”
Finn bumps his knuckles against mine. “It’s our week with Junior and the babies.”
Beckett’s got both hands splayed on the island, his face drawn. It’s got to be exhausting taking care of two infants, an eleven-year-old, a five-year-old, and Finn. The boy on his own is a full-time job. “We share custody of the racoons with Delia and Enzo.”
I nod. When Beckett married Liv, she and her three best friends were living in a brownstone down the street, along with a whole horde of kids, so Beckett moved in. They discovered a raccoon living in the house, and Finn declared it his pet. Since my brother is a softie when it comes to the kid—his whole family, really—he created an entire space for the raccoon. Shortly after, they found out the racoon was pregnant, so now they have four racoons. And apparently, they’re staying here this week.
Beckett may be crazier than all of us. Though he’s currently in the running for my favorite person. The way he forced Lennox and me into living together was nothing short of perfection. Sure, Gavin pushed for it—but it was Beckett’s exasperation with his new first baseman that encouraged Lennox to say yes. It’s clear my brother has a lot going on—five kids, a baseball team, four raccoons, and his self-declared matchmaking title—who could say no to the guy?
I can’t get ahead of myself. Until my Luigi figurine is protecting my coffee milk in Lennox’s fridge—listen, it’s a great idea; don’t judge—she could easily change her mind.
But once I’ve placed my last pair of socks in a drawer in her bedroom, she’ll never get rid of me. I’ll koala myself to her and hold on tight until she can do nothing but agree to keep me. I’m cute like a koala, so itshouldwork.
“They’re here?” I ask Beckett. I haven’t seen them in weeks.
He sighs heavily. “Take him to the backyard, Finn.”
With a smile, I take the little guy’s hand and let him lead me outside. No washing dishes for me tonight.Suckers.
Finn and I spend forty-five minutes with the raccoons. These aren’t ordinary outdoor raccoons. They do tricks. They dance. They’re ducking awesome.
Finn’s words, not mine.
Immediately after that comment, he pleaded with me not to tell Bossman.
When we finally come inside, the girls are wrapping up.
Lennox hauls herself off the couch, carefully keeping her gaze averted. As always, she’s a flash of pink, brightening the dark wood and dark couch behind her. She’s wearing a white and pink wrap dress that cinches her waist and accentuates the ass Sara was going on about at dinner. She’s right. My girl’s curves are delectable.
I stalk toward her, my movements slow, my intention clear.
“Can you give me a ride home?” Lennox asks Sara.
Sara eyes her best friend and then glances at me. “I figured you’d ride back with Aiden. You know,your boyfriend?”
With her lip caught between her teeth, Lennox nods. “Right, of course.”
When I reach her, I don’t even attempt to hide my knowing smirk. She’s nervous about being alone with me.
The question is why.