Page 63 of Delay of Game

He’s looking good as always in a sweater that I’ve seen him in before and my eyes flick over his biceps, expecting the material to be stretched tight around his muscles, but it actually looks loose. Has he lost weight?

I subtly let my eyes roam over his frame, and I frown when I realize that he does seem to have gotten skinnier. He runs a hand over his short beard and smiles at my mom as he hands her a bouquet of flowers. I roll my eyes.What a kiss-ass.

Jordan looks my way, and we stare at each other for a long moment. He takes a step towards me and I turn my attention to the potato in my hand.

“Hey, Al,” he says, both his arms tucked behind him.

I look up and narrow my eyes at him. “Hi.”

“I like your dress,” he says, nodding at my favorite green sweater dress with the oversized sleeves. I had to pull them all the way up my forearms to peel the potatoes and his eyes seem to be glued to the spot on my right arm where I got a little bookish tattoo.

“Thanks,” I mumble, wishing he would just go away. I want to stay angry at him, because if I don’t, I’ll just end up pining after him for the rest of my life. It’s not like I can just cut him out of it.

Jordan leans into the kitchen island, holding himself on an elbow and reaching from behind his back to offer me a single white rose. “Got you something.”

I frown down at it, noticing all the thorns have been picked out.Stupid, thoughtful Jordan.With a loud sigh, I snatch it away from him, adding it to a glass of water. When I look back at Jordan, he gives me a lopsided smile and walks over to Val, kissing her head and feeding her some mashed bananas. I swallow hard, watching him be so incredibly good and sweet with her. I expected Robbie and Olivia to be more angry that he just ditched us for the better part of a year, and that he didn’tmeet his niece until he moved back. But oddly everyone has been fine with him coming back and picking things up like nothing ever changed.

So why am I still so hung up on it?

Jordan

We watchthe football game in the Elliots’ large living room, and for the first time in years, I feel like I’m finally home. I missed this so much.

I don’t care that the kids are loud and running around the entire house, and I don’t mind that we don’t all fit at the table so we have to squeeze around. I just want to be here with all of them.

Alice looks at my plate from across the table and I follow her gaze, wincing at the small amount of food there. Ever since my recovery, my diet and lifestyle have changed a lot, and I definitely don’t have the appetite of a professional hockey player anymore.

She raises an eyebrow at me but I just shrug, not wanting to explain all that right now. I’m just happy she’s not outright avoiding me today. Baby steps.

“Olivia, are you reffing the Manticores game tomorrow?” Alice asks.

“No, I have the weekend off for once.” Olivia smiles, bouncing Valerie in her lap.

“Speaking of tomorrow, I need some help at the furniture store. I’m getting some new bookshelves for my bedroom.” Alice turns to her father. “Dad, are you busy?”

“Sorry, honey. I have plans with some old friends that are in town.”

“Michael?” she asks, looking at her older brother.

“Sorry sis, I promised the girls I’d take them to the trampoline park,” Michael says.

“Ash? Eli? You got plans?” The two of them look at one another with wide eyes, whispering something to each other.

Ash clears his throat and says, “Sorry, Al. We have some plans we can’t get out of.”

Alice frowns, her shoulders slumping. Before she can turn her head to Robbie, I say with too much enthusiasm, “I can take you.”

She freezes, glancing at me and then quickly away. “Oh, I don’t want to bother you, I’m sure you’ve got work since your team has a game tomorrow,” she says, trying to wave me off.

“Morning skate is early, but then I’m free for most of the day. I can meet you there at ten if that works,” I insist, knowing she won’t refuse me in front of her whole family. Not when she doesn’t have a good enough reason to.

With a deep inhale and a forced smile, she says, “Sure. Thanks, Jordan.”

Later,once everybody is stuffed full of turkey and pies, I pull her aside and tell her, “Look, I know you’re still not ready to hear me out, and that’s okay. But I really want to be here for you, and I won’t let you down.”

“Okay,” she says after a beat, crossing her arms and nodding. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”

CHAPTER 24

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