Page 194 of Break the Ice
“Yes,” I answer immediately. “With notes. And stickers. Maybe a gold star if we behave.”
“You’re not old enough to have a kid his age,” Eli says mildly, unloading spinach into the cart.
“I’m only three years older than you,” I counter.
“Feels like more sometimes.” He doesn’t look at me when he says it, but there’s the faintest smirk tugging at his mouth when Finley laughs under her breath.
She drops a bag of pretzels in the cart just to see him scowl before he puts it back on the shelf.
“Stop encouraging him,” Eli mutters.
I can’t help laughing, mostly because he’s glaring at both of us now, and it’s adorable.
“But it’s so fun, Bombshell,” she sing-songs, picking up a sharing bar of chocolate and putting it in the cart. “It’s for JJ’s lunchbox.”
“Jesus, he’s going to be climbing the walls with that much sugar. You don’t have to sit next to him. He’s bad enough on honey roasted cashews.”
“Swap seats,” Fin suggests, walking toward the checkouts with a shrug.
Eli and I both pause, shaking our heads at her nonchalant remark.
“She doesn’t know any better,” Eli sighs.
“We have to educate her on the importance of hockey superstitions,” I tell her solemnly, falling into step beside him.
We reach the checkout just as my phone buzzes in my pocket. I juggle grocery bags, Finley reaching to grab one as I thumb open the screen.
The message is from the >hey daddy< group chat. It’s new, and I’m not sure how I feel about the name Matheo gave it. But as always, his heart is in the right place. And it’s times like these when it makes total sense that he’s the alternate captain of the team. Without Dylan in the group the guys are all volunteering ways to help him and his family get through the tough time ahead.
Matheo
Update on Paige: she’s home.
Auguste
Tried calling earlier, but he didn’t pick up.
Matheo
He needs space right now
Ollie
Maybe we should convince him to stay home???
Matheo
Already tried. Paige wants to keep things normal
Momma was the same when she was sick. She insisted everything stay normal. Apparently, it stopped her from feeling worse. Reminded her of what she had to fight for.
Ansel
Lizzie’s taking Lily and Micah to Disneyland on Saturday so Paige can rest.
August
Lily will be stoked. I’ll pay for fast track so they can get all the crazy rides in
