Page 117 of Of Pucking Course

I laugh and take a bite of steak.

Sam chuckles and turns to me. “Look out. If you’re not careful, these two are going to rope you into joining our family.”

Warmth gathers in my chest. I smile at Sam. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

Chapter 41

Dakota

After we finish dinner, the guys clean up the dishes and kitchen while Caitlin and I take the kids to the backyard to burn off some energy before bedtime.

We lounge side by side in deck chairs, sipping wine while Liam and Layla play on their swing set.

Caitlin looks over at me. “Sam told me about what happened at your wedding. I’m so sorry,” she says softly, her expression pained.

“It was for the best. I should have left that relationship way before it ever got to the point of marriage.” I let out a heavy sigh. “To be honest, I’m embarrassed that it took my husband humiliating me in front of all my family and friends for me to realize that he was a jerk and I needed to break up with him.”

She reaches over and touches my hand, shaking her head. “You’re not the one who should be embarrassed. Your ex should be. I’m so sorry he did that to you. You deserve better.”

I smile, heartened at the support she’s showing me.

“Look, I know we’re not close and we don’t see each other often, but I’ve always liked you, Dakota. I’ve always been able to tell that you’re kind and caring and genuine. You’re a wonderful person who deserves a partner who adores you.”

“Thank you,” I say, touched by everything she’s said.

“Are you getting the support you need?”

Before I can answer, Sam opens the sliding glass door and runs over to his niece and nephew. “Tickle monster attack!”

The kids scream and giggle as he chases them around the swing set. Caitlin and I laugh while we watch Sam scoop Layla up and tickle her before setting her down and doing the same to Liam.

“I am,” I say to Caitlin. “Sam’s been amazing. We’ve always been friends, but we’ve gotten really close since I moved in with him.”

I’m careful not to say more. We may be together, but we’ve agreed to keep our relationship secret, which means I don’t want to spill anything to his sister.

She looks at me, her gaze thoughtful. She starts to smile, and it feels almost like she’s picking up that there’s something more going on between us.

But she doesn’t say anything. She just smiles and says, “I’m so glad.”

We look over at Sam and the kids, who are now wrestling in the grass. Layla hops up and starts to run off, but Sam reaches his long arm out and scoops her up, pulling her back into the wrestling pile.

She squeals and giggles. “No fair! Uncle Sammy’s arms are too long.” She hollers between laughs.

“You know, when Mommy and Uncle Sammy werekids, I used to beat him all the time at wrestling,” Caitlin says.

“No way!” Liam and Layla say at the same time. Sam sits up, and the kids start climbing on his back.

Sam raises an eyebrow at his sister. “The last time you beat me at wrestling, you were eight and I was five and a half. You were way bigger than me. It wasn’t a fair fight.”

Caitlin shrugs. “A win is a win, little brother.”

I burst out laughing at the way Sam rolls his eyes at her, even though he’s smiling.

“Admit it, I’m the reigning champion.”

“I want a rematch,” Sam says.

Caitlin scoffs. “No way. You’re five inches taller than me and seventy pounds heavier.”

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