Page 113 of Of Pucking Course

When I see my brother-in-law Shawn standing there, my brow lifts.

“Oh. Hey.”

He chuckles. “You forgot I was coming, didn’t you?”

I run my hand through my hair. “Uh, yeah. Sorry.” A second later, my brain catches up. He texted me a few days ago saying that he’d stop by this morning to finish installing the new flooring in mybedroom.

I glance behind me, hoping we haven’t woken up Dakota.

“Is this a bad time?” Shawn asks.

I clear my throat and start to speak right as I hear footsteps behind me.

Shawn looks over my shoulder, his eyes wide. “Hey there.”

“Hi,” Dakota says softly.

I turn around and see her wearing one of my Bashers t-shirts. It’s so big and baggy on her that it lands a few inches above her knees. Warmth instantly pools at the center of my chest at how cute she looks wearing my clothes. The need to see her wearing my jersey intensifies.

Shawn starts to smile. “This must be your roommate?” he says to me.

“Yeah. Dakota, this is my brother-in-law, Shawn. I forgot he was coming to finish the flooring in my bedroom this morning.”

Dakota waves and aims a shy smile at him. “Nice to meet you. Sorry for interrupting.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m the one interrupting.” Shawn claps me on the shoulder. “You’re clearly busy. I can come back when you’re gone for an away game and finish up then.” He looks at Dakota. “Good to meet you.”

He gives me a smug, shit-eating grin that says, “I know what you’ve been up to.”

I roll my eyes. He starts to walk off, but he stops and turns back around. “Oh, your sister told me that she wants you to come over for dinner tomorrow night. She and the kids miss you and want to see you.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“You’re welcome to come too, Dakota,” Shawn says. “We always cook enough to feed an army.”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks for the invite.”

Shawn grins wide. “It’s no problem. We’d love to have you.” He looks back at me. “See you and your roommate tomorrow night.”

I don’t miss the slight lilt in his voice when he says “roommate.”

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “Bye.”

I shut the door, walk over to Dakota, and pull her against me.

“Sorry if I made that awkward by walking in on your conversation wearing nothing but your t-shirt.” Dakota smiles shyly. “He can probably tell what we’ve been up to.”

I kiss her. “Don’t be sorry. It’s all fine.”

“You sure it’s okay for me to go to your family dinner tomorrow?”

“Positive. You’re my girlfriend. Of course I want you to come to dinner with me.”

When she smiles, her eyes sparkle. It makes my chest feel tight in the best way.

She leans up to kiss me. “Can’t wait.”

Chapter 40

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