Page 65 of Beauty
What the hell? I try to pull my focus away from the man, but it’s as though I’ve been put under a spell. I can’t look away. And the more I watch, the more the feeling that his moves are familiar grows.
“Just don’t mention it in front of Hannah,” my friend says, her voice finally snapping me out of it.
I blink at her. “Oh, is that Daniel?”
Her eyes go wide and she gags. “No, that’s Harry. Herbrother, not mine. I think the commentators call him Beauty. These men and their nicknames. I can’t keep track of them all.” She glances past me, breaking into a Cheshire grin. “Actually, youshouldtell Hannah how hot Harry is doing this. She tortured me for months when she and Daniel started dating. She deserves a taste of her own medicine.” Belatedly, she gasps and takes astep back, whacking my arm. “And ew. How could you think I’d talk about my brother like that?”
“Shit, sorry.” I grimace. I really don’t even want to think about hockey fans staring at my brothers doing this. “This is really how they stretch?”
She pins me with a look, her brows raised. “I think they ham it up for the crowds nowadays. It feels like this part of the routine gets longer every season. But yes, it’s how they stretch out their hamstrings. It gets tight in there.”
“That’s what she said,” I mutter.
With a burst of laughter, she throws her head back. “Oh, I’m going to love hanging with you during the games.”
I think I’ll enjoy it too.
After we’ve collected Vivi, we make our way upstairs where, as Millie suspected, all the women are gathered.
“I wasn’t sure you’d be here,” I say as I rush over to my newest sister-in-law and her brand-new baby. Taylor is decked out in Bolts blue, and her shirt saysMy Dad’s Better Than Your Dad.
“I had to buy it,” Sara says as I giggle over it. “Because he is.”
“Obviously.”
Out in the real world, at least. The fathers of the children in this room could all give Brooks a run for his money. Every one of them is incredible.
“Are you really feeling up to this?” I ask. “It’s only been two weeks.”
“Yes, I’m going stir-crazy.” She sighs. “While the guys are on home ice, you better believe I’ll be here. Especially because Brooks and Gavin have banned me from travel.”
“It’s because you’re supposed to take an actual maternity leave,” Millie reminds her. “They’re doing itforyou, nottoyou.”
Sara lets out an annoyed huff. “That’s not what it feels like. I’m a woman. I gave birth. I can make decisions for myself.”
“She has a point,” I say as I scoop my niece from her arms.
Sara winks at me. “I knew you were my favorite sister-in-law.”
“Hey,” Lennox hollers from the corner. Lennox and Sara were best friends long before they married brothers, so her indignation is valid.
Sara waves a hand. “You’re more a sister than a sister-in-law. Also, not everything is about you.” She turns back to me. “I want to hear all about your new job.”
Hannah and Ava are tucked into the corner on a plush couch with two one-year-olds at their feet. Not far from them, a teenage boy is pointing down at the ice and talking quietly to another boy who must be several years younger than him.
“That’s Brayden, War’s son,” Millie says, nodding at the teenager. “And Ollie, Hannah’s nephew.”
“Ah,” I say, lifting my chin. “Harry’s son, right?”
With a wink, she gently bumps my shoulder. “See? You’re already absorbing the important info. This job is going to be a piece of cake for you.”
I laugh. “Right. Let me get a drink. Then I’ll tell you all about Beckett’s latest scheme.”
Lennox prances over, her pink hair bouncing. Her lipstick is a couple of shades brighter, and her Bolts jersey—with the number 12 on the back of it, I’m sure—has been bedazzled.
I’m immediately obsessed. “Okay, I would consider wearing a jersey if I could have one like that.”
“That should be your first order of business. To create a line of bedazzled jerseys,” she squeals.
