Page 41 of Breakaway
“It’s very Secret Garden,” Reed mumbled, leaning closer to me so he could peer out the window.
“Or Sound of Music,” Fletcher added.
“If you wanted my ovaries to burst, you’re doing it with this conversation,” I gushed, fanning myself and happy for the reprieve from my freakout.
The guys laughed, but I’d been serious. I loved both those movies as a kid. The car rolled to a stop, and we all stared like we expected someone to jump out or something.
Fletcher opened his door first, taking the lead like usual. He helped me out, and the other two met us at the front. Together, the four of us walked to the front door like the unit we’d become. When we arrived, we all looked at one another, no one stepping forward to knock.
“It’s not going to bite you,” Fletcher huffed, stepping toward the door. It swung open a minute later, and an older gentleman stood there.
“Welcome, Ms. Henshaw and guests. The lady of the house is waiting in the sitting room for you.” He stepped back and pivoted, walking further into the house.
“I guess we’re supposed to follow?” Dax asked, lifting his brows.
“I’m getting Conway Chateau vibes,” Reed grumbled.
“We need a butler,” Dax exclaimed over his shoulder, a massive grin on his face. “Add that to the list, Punchy!”
“Denied,” Reed said, smiling as he took my hand and followed behind Dax.
Aggie stood as we stepped into the room, the weirdness falling away the second we entered her orbit. Aggie was sweetness personified; her whole persona oozed it. This woman might be as wealthy as Carly, but that was where the similarities ended.
“Henley!” she cooed, stepping in to hug me. “I’m so glad we were able to reschedule.”
“Me too. Thanks again for having us. Your house is amazing. It’s like something out of a movie.”
“Wait until you see the backyard.” She smiled, happiness shining in her eyes.
“Dear, I didn’t know we were having guests?” an older man said as he stepped into the room. His eyes went round when he noticed the two men behind me.
“Reed Cole! Is that really you? And Fletcher Cromwell?” He blinked like he was afraid he’d hallucinated it. I realized then this must be her husband, who she said was a huge hockey fan. “And you’re Henley Henshaw.”
He gave a startled gasp, followed by a little giggle that was endearing for a man his size. He cleared his throat, stepping closer once he recovered.
“I love what you’ve done with the team this year.”
My cheeks heated at his praise, and the guys chuckled. Aggie tutted at her husband but melted into his arms when he neared. Their love was endearing and something you could visibly see between them.
“Charlie, I invited Henley and her men over for brunch. I purposefully didn’t tell you because it’s more fun to see you get all flustered. And I was right! That giggle was worth everything.”
Charlie’s face reddened, but he didn’t deny his adoration.
“What can I say? I love hockey. My foster daughter and I used to watch all the games together. When neither of us knew what to say, there was hockey.”
“Well put. That’s what I love about the sport, too,” Fletcher said. “Hockey brings people together.”
“Shall we eat?” Aggie asked once the embarrassment was over. “I set up some food on the patio. It’s such a nice day that I thought it would be nice to eat out there.”
“Sounds lovely,” I said, taking her arm as we left the room.
“I saw you play once,” Charlie said behind us to one of the guys. “You scored that incredible goal where your teammate jumped over the puck, giving you a straight shot to the net. Then you got into a fight and had to spend the rest of the period in the penalty box.”
“Ah, yes. I believe that was against Hughes,” Reed grumbled, and I knew immediately which game Charlie had been at.
Dakota had been so angry at that game, spouting how Reed had illegally checked him to score that goal. But I’d seen what everyone else had. Reed had made an amazing play, and Dakota’s ego couldn’t handle it.
Stepping outside, my eyes grew so large; I worried they’d become stuck like that. Not only was there a hedge maze, but an honest-to-goodness gazebo.