Page 66 of Body Check
“Thanksgiving, dumbass. My folks are on a cruise, so are we heading home to Mama and Papa Wagner’s for a turkey feast, or do you feel like sticking around campus? The guys said that Coach does dinner at his house and we’re all invited, especially since Friday’s a travel day.”
“My mom’s doing dinner around noon. You know she’ll be offended if you don’t come.” My mom is insisting on doing a big dinner on Thursday, even though my aunts all volunteered to help. My mom loves this kind of stuff, so she wasn’t taking no for an answer. It’s been a tough few months for my family, but things are looking up. The doctors are all being cautious about my dad while they wait for more test results to come in, but I know my dad, and he seemed a lot more like himself when I stopped by for breakfast the other day. He’s bouncing back; I know it.
Blue grins. “I don’t mind pissing you off, but I will never knowingly upset Mama Wagner. Tell her I’m in.”
“Coach doesn’t serve dinner until later, so you guys should stop by on your way back into town,” Ollie says, living up to his self-professed title of cruise director.
I make a noncommittal grunt and then pull out my phone. If I’ve got to do a day of holiday festivities, I want Bridgette by my side. I should have probably asked her a while ago, and I won’t blame her if she’s pissed at me for waiting til the last minute, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take. I want her to meet my parents, and my cousins, and the rest of my family. Bridgette means everything to me, and I don’t want her to doubt that for a minute.
29
Bridgette
Iwasn’t exaggerating when I told Dutton how much I love hockey. I know a lot of people get bored watching their siblings play. Or they just get tired of sitting in the cold for hours on end. But Bran and I were never like that with each other. We’ve always been supportive, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we genuinely care about each other.
Things between us aren’t quite back to where they used to be, but I can tell we’re getting there. When I met him at the library today, I was wearing the same shirt I have on right now, and he didn’t even make a comment. Not a single one. That’s progress.
Even if he would have complained, I’d still be proudly wearing my number thirteen jersey with the name Wagner on the back. And I feel especially good wearing it, since I’m sitting with the girls and they’re all wearing their favorite guys' jerseys. It feels good to have girlfriends when, for so long, my world revolved around school and work.
Transferring to Bainbridge was the best decision I could have made, and I’m so glad I took the leap.
When the guys skate off the ice after a solid showing in the first period, the girls start to chatter about classes andeveryday life, but I’m still thinking about what I just saw on the ice. There’s a unity there that was missing before. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but I could tell they were playing as a much more cohesive unit. Hell, Dutton was actually passing the puck! That deserves an award. Hmmm… I’m going to have to come up with something good to reward his improvement.
“Are you, Bridgette?”
I turn toward Maggie. “Sorry. I was totally spaced out. What was that?”
Maggie’s smile is serene. “I was just wondering if you’re coming to Uncle Hudson’s for Thanksgiving? Since the guys travel the next day, there’s not really enough time for you to head back to Jersey, is there?”
I shake my head. “There’s not, and I can pick up some extra hours at the salon that weekend since no one else wants to come in.”
Maggie nods. “Well, believe it or not, my stoic hockey coach of an uncle throws a really good holiday party.”
Her invitation is thoughtful, and I hate to turn it down, but I already have plans. “That sounds like fun, but Dutton and I are having dinner with his family.”
“That’s exciting,” she says. “Have the best time. They’re going to love you. And you guys should stop by Uncle Hudson’s on the way back.”
I nod because that sounds like fun. This team is a family, and I’m lucky to be part of it. I’m a little nervous to meet Dutton’s entire family all at once, but I’m also looking forward to it. It feels like a big step, a serious one. And I’m ready for it.
Okay, I’m going to stress all week about what dress to wear and how to style my hair, but other than that, I’m ready for it.
When we get to the hockey house after the game and finally make it up to Dutton’s room, holiday plans are the last thing on my mind. I should probably bring a pie or a bottle of wine, but those are decisions for another day. All I’m thinking about when I’m in his bed is the way he makes my body feel and all the ways I can return the favor. I never really cared about sex before, but the connection I have with Dutton is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.
After we’ve worn each other out, he’s fast asleep next to me, but since I can’t get my brain to slow down enough to let me get some actual rest, I decide to head downstairs in search of a glass of water. Slipping on the silky blue robe he likes so much, I make my way toward the kitchen. I’m not surprised that some guys still have their lights on, even though it’s well past midnight, but I am a little surprised to see my brother walk by wearing nothing but his boxers.
Okay, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. It is his house. And I’m grateful he’s wearing clothes. Things have been better between us since my cousin’s wedding, but this is still awkward.
“Hey, Birdie,” he says with a smile and a salute.
Okay, maybe it’s just awkward for me.
“Hi, I’m just going downstairs for water. I got thirsty after—well, I just got thirsty. It wasn’t because of anything. It’s just middle of the night thirst, you know?”
Okay, it’s just me. I’m the awkward one.
Thankfully, Mickey’s back in best-brother-ever mode. “It’s okay, Birdie. You’re allowed to get a drink. You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “You really are okay with this?” It shouldn’t matter, and it doesn’t. At least, not in a way that would threaten my relationship with Dutton. But it does matter for the future of my relationship with my twin.
