Page 89 of Caught Up In You

“What are you doing all the way over here, Doc?” she asks.

“Ignoring me, that’s for damn sure,” Decker grumbles, and it’s only then that I remember I’m standing next to my sister’s boyfriend. He was telling me something about…fuck, I wasn’t listening.

“What’s the matter, hometown hero?” I tease him. “Can’t handle not being the center of attention?”

My father’s postage stamp of a backyard is packed with people balancing paper plates full of deliciousness courtesy of Dad, who’s been manning the grill all afternoon. Summer has settled into Cardinal Springs, hot air lying over the town like a wet flannel blanket. Everyone is coated in a sheen of sweat and sunscreen, some cheeks already pink after a morning spent standing on Main Street to watch Decker drive by in aconvertible, Grace by his side, the Stanley Cup sitting between them.

Because just last week, Decker led his hockey team to his third Stanley Cup victory, then promptly announced his retirement.

And now that trophy sits on a table in the center of the celebration, a man in white gloves guarding it to make sure nobody does anything untoward with it. Which apparently doesn’t include Decker pouring an entire case of Upland into it and passing out sips like this is some kind of holy jock communion.

That, I was surprised to discover, is perfectly allowed.

“Fuck off,” Decker says, but he’s grinning. I think he’s taking this retirement thing pretty well. “I’m just trying to relay details so I can go stare atmygirl.”

“Is this about Grace’s birthday?” Wyatt asks, letting go of my hand and slipping hers into my back pocket. It makes my vision go fuzzy. “Carson was telling me: Indianapolis, cake, karaoke.”

Decker nods. “Yeah. I reserved a bunch of hotel rooms for everybody. I just need to know if you guys want to be together or not.”

I nearly choke on my beer. Do we want to betogether?

If you’re asking me, absolutely yes.

Dowewant to be together, though?

I glance down at Wyatt.

“Actually, I told Carson I’d bunk with her,” she says. “I don’t want her to be alone.”

Record scratch.

Fuck.

“Great. Okay. Perfect.” Decker blows out a quick, hard breath like he’s warming up for Game Seven, not standing in the middle of his victory party. “I don’t have to tell you what a big dealthis is. Grace hasneveragreed to a real birthday party. I want everything to be perfect.”

“You thinkIneed this warning? Go talk to Felix. He’s much more likely to pick up half a bachelorette party in Indy and cause a scene,” I tell Decker.

“Oh, I intend to,” Decker says, narrowing his eyes at my brother. “Enjoy the party.”

“Congrats, man.” I nod at the Stanley Cup, which is currently holding a grinning baby Eden.

Decker smiles. “That’s the only prize I care about,” he says, pointing across the lawn at where Grace is snapping a photo of Eden in the Cup.

And then he charges across the lawn to claim her.

If he weren’t talking about my baby sister, I’d probably melt.

“That’s okay, right? If I stay with Carson?” Wyatt asks once we’re alone.

No. I hate it. Even if a few bricks have been removed, there’s still a wall between us. And I want all of this woman. Every piece. Watching her come with her eyes on me was so very close to everything I need. I just wish that mirror hadn’t been between us.

I want her connected to me in every way.

But I signed that pineapple can. I promised her. So I keep all that to myself.

“Of course,” I lie. “Just as long as you promise to sneak over for a late-night visit.”

She grins the grin that tells me we’re going to have averygood time, and that takes the edge off the revelation that she’s staying with Carson.

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