Page 57 of In It to Win It

“Okay, then.”

“I’ll pay for his food. And vet bills, of course.”

“Whatever.” It’s not like I can’t afford a few cans of dog food.

“Okay.” She beams. “This is really so much better than . . . than having to find a new home for him with people I don’t know.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re a hero.” Everly nudges me. She’s teasing, but I can see she’s happy too. She looks up. “Oh. I’d better go help Lacey with the food.”

She departs, and a blanket of awkwardness drops over Taylor, Anthony, and me. Well,Ifeel it, anyway. I want him gone. But it’s me who has to clear out.

I grin, trying to lighten the mood. “You’ll have to switch to being an Eagles fan now, since you’re practically in Long Beach.”

She rolls her eyes. “Never.”

I laugh. “Nice meeting you,” I say to Anthony. I turn to Taylor. “We’ll talk more about Byron, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I meet her eyes, hold her gaze for a couple of heartbeats, then nod and move away.

I walk outside, where I see Grandpa and Chelsea sitting. There are other people out here . . . Rosa and Marshall, neighbors of Théo’s, talking to Wyatt. But no other family members. Grandpa and Chelsea are by themselves.

I get it, but it annoys me, too.

I pull up an empty chair. “Hey there.”

“Hi!” Chelsea says with a smile. I lean over to kiss her cheek.

“Hello, kid,” Grandpa says. “Haven’t seen you in a while. You bring a young lady with you tonight?”

“No. Didn’t go well the last time I brought a date to a family function.”

“That’s because you were screwing over your brother.”

Ouch. “Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I haven’t been seeing anyone lately.”

“Unusual for you. From what I hear.”

Actually, it is. I just haven’t been interested lately. There were women at the Fan Fun Fest who were clearly interested. I’ve gone out with the guys a few times, and there are always women who want to hang out with hockey players. I’ve flirted a little, danced a couple of times, and bought a few drinks, but I haven’t done anything more than that. “Saving my energy for hockey,” I tell him.

“Ha! That’s a good one. My coach used to tell us not to have sex before a game.”

“Jesus.” I rub my forehead. “Thank Christ Uncle Mark doesn’t tell us that. I think they’ve debunked that old myth.”

“We always believed it,” Grandpa says sadly. “Of course, most of us just ignored it.”

Chelsea laughs.

“It’s time for dinner!” Lacey calls from the door onto the patio. “Just buffet style, so we’re all helping ourselves.”

I follow Grandpa and Chelsea into the house. Chelsea sticks close by Grandpa while they fill plates. My family may be pissed at Grandpa for allegedly stealing money, Grandpa may be mad at his sons for suing him, and they all may hate Chelsea because they think she’s a gold-digging opportunist, but everyone is respectfully letting Grandpa go first at the buffet.

Lacey hovers around, apologizing for using paper plates and napkins, making sure they have everything they need, then others move in. I head into the kitchen for another beer first.

The kitchen is still crowded with people, including Théo and Harrison. Without asking, Théo opens the fridge door and hands me a beer. I grin.

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