Page 146 of Beauty
Beckett crosses his arms, his brow furrowed. “We worked hard to get Noah. He’s the best sniper in the NHL.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “Thank you. That’s exactly what I said.”
With his tongue pressed to the inside of his cheek, he studies me. “You and Noah have become quite close.”
I shrug, playing it off. “He’s Hannah’s brother and my neighbor.”
The ump announces the start of the game, and my brother turns his attention back to the field.
“I think it would be a mistake to let him go,” I say, standing firm.
He smirks but doesn’t turn to look at me. “Thought you didn’t know anything about hockey.”
I’ve already dug the hole, so I might as well keep going. “I know enough to know he’s one of the best players Boston has ever had. And you brought me on because you trust my opinion, right?”
He finally turns, his lips twitching. “We did.”
“So I think we should keep him.”
With his mouth set in a straight line, he lowers his head. “That’s Ezra’s decision, really.”
“Right, but maybe we could help convince him?” I suggest.
“How?”
“Maybe at the gala? Have both Ezra and Noah sit at our table. Show Ezra the chemistry he has with Aiden and War. We all know that kind of connection translates on the ice. And it can’t be easily replicated.”
Beckett shrugs. “Hmm, I suppose it’s worth a try.”
I straighten, resting my hands on my thighs. “Yes. I think so too.”
Liv calls Beckett’s name as Deogi drags her toward the playground, the twins running ahead, and he takes off without a word.
When it’s just the two of us, Cat squeezes my arm. “Smooth.”
I glare at her. “Not another word out of you.”
Eyes dancing, she feigns zipping her lips shut, then turns back to the game.
Jay, who’s apparently the coach, is kneeling, with the group of boys surrounding him. It’s cute how they all watch him, eyes wide, eating up his every word. He holds a hand out, and the boys all pile theirs on top. Then, on the count of three, they scream, “Go Hawks.” As the boys disperse, Jay stands and winks at his wife.
Beside me, Cat nibbles on her lip, her cheeks pink. Damn. After twenty years, they’re still infatuated with each other.
Their love is the kind I hope Noah and I will have. Despite how successful both Cat and Jay are, both would admit without hesitation that the family they’ve created is by far their biggest accomplishment. And at the center of that is their marriage.
Instinctually, I scan the fence around the field for Noah. With a pair of aviator sunglasses on and wearing athletic shorts and a black T-shirt, he looks beyond hot. A total zaddy. He’s on the sidelines, cheering for Ollie, who is walking up to bat.
Cat might be right. My plan for changing Ezra’s mind might not be the best way to go about it, but I have to do something. I’ll gladly make a fool of myself if it means my boys keep smiling likethey are right now. If it means I have a shot at the happiness my best friend found with her husband.
FORTY-SEVEN
NOAH
As soon asthe last out is called and the little boys all scream because they won their first tournament, I’m rushing toward my son. Throughout the entire game, whether Ollie was chasing after a ball or swinging and missing, he’d turn and look for me on the sidelines. And every time, the way he lit up left my chest expanding.
The boys are going wild with excitement, chanting and celebrating their win. But my kid would have been just as happy if he’d lost today. My presence here was enough for him. But the smile on his face now? It makes me happier than any win I’ve ever had a hand in securing. I’m glad I’m here. Ecstatic, really. And I have Sienna to thank for it.
On instinct, I reach for her hand, eager for her to join me as I rush to hug my son. But realization slams into me, and I pull back just as our fingers brush.
