Page 20 of Tye

“Don’t mind if I do. Do we wait for the kids to leave the table?” Uncle Deke asked.

“Nah, most of them filled their plates. Those who wanted extra have been up. Go get more,” Drake responded.

“Your cook is amazing,” Uncle Carter spoke to Phoe.

“Mrs Ames is. It astounds me how she manages such large meals every day, but she does. She has two nights off a week. One night, we get takeaway, and the other, Drake and I cook. I can’t feed everyone like Mrs Ames does constantly. She plans a week ahead each time, so she knows what shopping to get,” Phoe said to him.

“Grandma does the same,” I interjected, and Phoe smiled.

“One day, I’d like to meet her. Evelyn sounds an amazing woman,” Phoe responded.

“Evie’s that,” Pops commented.

“Are your rooms okay?” Phoe asked as she dipped some bread into the gravy on her plate.

“They’re fine,” Uncle Gideon replied, and the others agreed.

“I’m grateful you placed us together,” Grunt said.

“Makes it easier on security,” Drake muttered, and Pops glared, but Uncle Deke looked resigned.

“Trust is earned,” he responded, and Pops glowered.

“That goes both ways,” Pops snapped, and Drake held his gaze.

“If our hospitality isn’t—”

“Drake. The children,” Phoe murmured, and Drake shut his mouth.

The kids had all stopped eating and were watching avidly.

“Eat your dinners and stop tab-hanging,” Drake ordered, and the youngsters broke into conversation again. He rolled his eyes at Phoe, who smiled.

I frowned, tab-hanging?

Ice leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Listening in,” he explained.

Ah, okay. Must be an English saying.

“They’re yours to discipline. Told you I was done with it. You spoiled them, you now handle them!” Phoe teased, but I heard the steel in her voice. Phoe may have been joking, but she meant every word.

Drake looked sheepish and changed the direction of the conversation.

“Did Doc Paul come today, son?” he asked Ice.

“Yeah. Doc’s happy with my progress,” Ice said, and Drake offered a small smile.

“But you’re not. Do not push your recovery, prospect, that’s an order,” Drake replied.

“That just makes shit worse,” Ice grumbled.

I hid a grin as he pouted like a little boy. I wondered what had really happened to him. Ice had confusingly mentioned ice and a rival team.

“Are you a hockey player?” I asked, and the table went quiet. Christian and Harley began laughing, and Harley pointed at Ice and crowed. Even Drake smiled.

“Wow, someone who doesn’t know who Tye Michaelson is!” Harley teased.

“Shut up!” Ice ordered as he stabbed a piece of meat.