Page 72 of Breakaway

“Yes, you are.” He let go of her hand and slid his arm along the back of her chair, leaning closer.

“No. I just feel…stupid.”

He reared back. “What?”

She gave him a wry smile and shrugged. “I wish I understood half the stuff you guys are talking about. Even your mom knows more about hockey than I do.”

“Well of course she does. She used to play hockey too.”

Remi’s eyes shot wide. “She played hockey?”

“Yeah. What? Why are you looking like that?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just surprised.”

“Lots of women play hockey. Didn’t you watch the Olympics?”

“Well…yes. Okay, sure. I just never thought about your mom playing hockey. Wow.”

Whatever. He’d never thought much of it, but he supposed it was kinda unusual.

Their low conversation was attracting interested, knowing looks from his family. He grinned.

“Sorry about all the hockey talk, Remi,” Mom said with a smile. Jase watched her. She liked Remi. He could tell. Good, good. Warmth spread inside him.

“That’s okay.” Remi smiled too. Yes! They liked each other. Fucking awesome. He caught his mom’s eye and her smile changed, softened and her eyes glowed. His chest tightened and he nodded, and then to his horror, Mom’s eyes got teary. Ah, hell. He frowned at her and she blinked and gave a little laugh.

“So how are you going to like playing in Winnipeg next year?” Jase asked Tag with a smirk.

“Shut the fuck up. The team’s going nowhere.”

“There’ve been rumors that the Coyotes might be sold,” Jase explained to Remi. “And lots of rumors about them moving to Winnipeg.” He grinned at Tag. “You don’t want to move back home with Mom and Dad? And hey, Winterpeg after living in the desert with palm trees and sunshine all winter.”

Tag sighed. “What happens, happens.” He looked at Remi. “So, Remi. How the hell did you hook up with a loser like Jase?”

“Shaddup,” Jase said mildly.

Remi laughed. “It’s a long story.”

“How’s business, Dad?” Jase changed the subject again.

“Great, great.”

“Gonna retire soon?”

“Not until one of you comes home to run the store.”

Jase met his brothers’ eyes, one at a time. They all knew Dad wanted them to take over the sporting goods store. And maybe one of them would. One day. But not any time soon. His gut clenched.

His dad laughed. “Never mind, you buncha goons. I’m not waiting for you. I have no intention of retiring.”

Jase regarded his father. Although sixty years old, he was still fit and energetic and certainly with it. Definitely still capable of running the store. And he had lots of help. The store had grown enough to hire a substantial staff. But still, guilt nudged at his conscience and he hoped Dad was being honest when he said he didn’t want to retire until one of them came home.

“Excuse me.”

They all looked up at the couple that had stopped at their table.

“Are you the Heller brothers?”

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