Page 17 of Sheep Calm and Merry On
Devon was halfway through peeling a potato with nowhere to go to escape her matchmaking. “Ma—”
“He’s some kind of teacher, I think,” she barreled on. “Gable speaks highly of him. And the kids really seem to like him, you know—that says a lot about a person. He certainly seems to be enjoying himself.”
And then she gestured out the kitchen window toward the backyard, where the rink was set up and swarming with kids. Amber was still in the mudroom getting her outdoor gear on, so there was just one adult out with them—a tall, lean figure who was skating like he was born to it, laughing and encouraging the kids in their game. He wore a familiar coat with a knitted hat pulled down almost to his Muppety eyebrows.
Devon dropped the potato.
Before his mother could scold him, he called out, “Hey, Amber. You wanna switch?”
There was a loud clatter as she dropped a boot. A moment later she poked her head into the kitchen and said, “Seriously?”
“Well,” his mother said, obviously a bit taken aback, “honestly, Devon, I expected a little more resistance. Are you sure you want to—”
He stopped her with a kiss on the cheek. Was he sure he could handle a kids’ hockey game? Well, no. Not really.
But he was sure if he wanted a chance with Noah that he’d have to try eventually. “Promise I’ll trade back if it’s a problem.”
Amber looked out the back door for a moment, and then understanding dawned and she smirked. “Go get your man, Hughes.”
Devon left her to explain things to his mother and went to find his mittens.
Obviously he wasn’t exactly prepared for an impromptu hockey game. He probably could’ve borrowed a pair of Gable’s skates, but he wasn’t ready for that. He could hang out on the sidelines, though. Heckle a bit. Give conflicting advice.
Flirt with Noah.
Before he even had time to feel the cold, he was standing next to the ice, watching Noah teach a little girl how to elevate the puck. He spent a few long seconds drinking it in, thinking about it, cataloging his emotions.
There was a little wistfulness there, sure. He missed the game. He felt it like a tenderness in his chest. But he’d most likely be retired by now anyway, even if he were healthy. And there was something else too, a sort of bubbling excitement that was keeping him warm despite the winter chill. He didn’t want to use, at least not any more than his normal baseline.
He did want to grab the dorky tassels on Noah’s hat and yank him in for a kiss, though.
After a moment he raised his voice and said, “Hey, sweetheart. Shouldn’t you be wearing a helmet?”
Noah whirled around, pink-cheeked, already grinning. “Hey!” Then he seemed to recognize the magnitude of Devon’s presence, and his smile dimmed. “Shouldn’t you be farther away from the danger zone?”
“Eh.” He shrugged, feeling bashful. “I dunno. I thought maybe I’d try something new. Exposure therapy, right?”
The smile returned briefly. “Yeah? I think it’ll be good for you.” Then he bit his lip. Around him, the kids played on, oblivious, but Noah removed himself from the ice to stay out of the way. “You, uh, you never called.”
“A fact which Amber will tell you I’ve been kicking myself for since I last saw you.” He jerked his head toward the house. “You can ask her if you want. My mom was going to send her out here to help supervise while she talked you up to me.”
“Wait, Amber’s here? Why are you here? And why’s your mom—”
Which was when the full ridiculousness of the situation hit him, and he groaned briefly. “So, uh, your stepbrother. His name wouldn’t be Gable by any chance?”
“I mean, I usually just call him my brother.” He tilted his head in question.
Devon nodded. “Funny. That’s, uh, that’s my brother-in-law’s name.”
“Oh sh—” Noah cut himself off before he could say anything the kids would jump on. “Wow.” Then he let out a short laugh, almost a giggle. “Oh God. Looks like we’re already family. There are going to be so many ‘northern Michigan’ jokes.”
Devon hid his own smile behind a mitten, but he couldn’t resist. Already family. That sounded nice, actually. “I mean, Bronwyn and I are both adopted, so—”
“Noah! We need an official!”
Ruefully, Noah met his gaze. Devon understood. This wasn’t the time for this conversation. But they would have it—soon. “Duty calls.”
“So I hear.” Devon took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “You need an assistant coach?”
