Page 63 of Beauty
With two brothers on the team and a third coaching, I didn’t think it was right to go with a Langfield jersey. There’s no way I could pick between them, so I chose a black turtleneck with black leather pants. Millie tossed me a Bolts scarf when I climbed into the car, so I’ve donned that as well, though the fabric is scratchy, and I had to fight the urge not to tear it off every couple of minutes on the way over. By the time we pulled into the private lot at the back of the arena, I’d decided that my first act as CEO would be to search out better fabrics for our merch.
I’m sure that’s exactly what my brothers were imagining I’d do when they put me in this position, and I’m nothing if not dependable.
Millie waves off my nerves. “It’s actually one of the more brilliant plans Beckett has ever concocted.”
“Uncle Becks.” Vivi spins in a circle, looking for my eldest brother.
“Sorry, bestie,” Millie says. “Uncle Becks is at home tonight, but we’ll go over and play with Deogi and Junior tomorrow, okay?”
My brothers all officially live on the same street these days. It’s strange as hell. What’s even stranger is that control-freak Beckett is now the proud owner of a ginormous dog that slobbers on everything and a pet raccoon. The raccoon had babies a couple of years ago, which he and Liv now share custody of with Liv’s three best friends.
Who also live on the same street.
Like I said, strange.
Junior, the raccoon, is actually ridiculously cute, and I’d trust her with my niece before Deogi. That dog would run her down and not even realize he did it.
With a deep breath, I scoot across the leather seat and force myself out of the car and into my new reality. Instinctively, I rub at my butterfly tattoo. In seconds, my nerves begin to settle.
There’s no reason to panic. This is just another beginning.
I’ve done it before. I can do it again.
“C’mon, Auntie. Let’s find Daddy.” Vivi clutches my hand and tugs me forward.
Inside, every attendant and employee we pass greets her by name, and she returns the greetings with high fives.
“We’ll sit up in the family box, but Gavin wants you to stop in at the players’ bench first so he and the team can welcome you officially.”
I side-eye her. “Right. Because you don’t normally pop in to see your husband when you get here.”
Her responding laugh is airy. “Well, yes, but still.” Curls bouncing, she leads me through the tunnels toward the ice.
With each step we take, the air grows colder, and as the smells coming from the food vendors are slowly replaced by the crisp scent of the ice, a calmness settles over me.
Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the ice rink while Brooks and Aiden played. I might not have always paid attention to what was happening on the ice, but this smell has permanently permeated my senses. It reminds me of home. Reminds me of family.
As we close in on the entrance to the player’s bench, Gavin comes into view and Vivi rushes him. “Daddy!”
“She’s so in love with him,” Millie says with stars in her eyes.
“Yeah, and he’s so in love with the two of you.” I loop an arm around her waist and rest my head on her shoulder. “I’m so happy you found each other.”
Her lips twitch. “I didn’t have to look too hard, considering he was my dad’s best friend.”
The snort that escapes me echoes off the cinderblock walls. I love how she can laugh about their story. Sure, it’s unconventional, but I’ve never seen two people more dedicated to one another. They struggled a little with infertility, but Millie always stayed positive, and my brother was right beside her every step of the way.
They’re the definition of soulmates, and honestly, if a love isn’t that big and all-consuming, then I don’t want it.
Not that I believe in that stuff anymore.
But if I did…
“How you feeling, Peaches?” With Vivi in one arm, Gavin approaches and presses a soft kiss to his wife’s lips.
When he settles his palm on her bump and strokes a thumb across it, I practically melt.
“And how about you, little guy?” he murmurs, crouching a little. “Being good for your mama?”
