Page 48 of The Book Club Boyfriend
“Fix it.”
I let my head fall back against the railing again and stare up at the sky.
Yeah.
Easier said than done.
***
Bennett Wilder lives in a house that looks like it belongs on one of those fancy home renovation shows—big windows, sprawling backyard, the kind of kitchen that probably cost more than my entire rookie contract. It’s a step up from the downtown condo he used to own when we were roommates, but I guess that’s what happens when you settle down, get married, and start popping out kids.
“Come on in, Uncle Chase!” Lucy says, pulling the door open with a grin.
I step inside and am immediately met with the sound of toddler squeals. Their son Theo—two years old and full of chaos—comes barreling toward me with all the force of a charging bull. Icrouch just in time to catch him, scooping him up before he can crash into my nuts.
“Buddy, you gotta work on that stopping thing,” I say, ruffling his mop of curls.
He grins up at me, all dimples and trouble. “Chase go fast!”
Bennett strolls in from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel, shaking his head. “Great. He’s already associating you with speed and recklessness. Just what I need.”
I smirk, setting Theo back on his feet. “Can’t fight genetics, Wilder.”
Lucy, who has been standing nearby with a hand on her belly, snorts. “This baby is going to inherit my coordination.”
Bennett slings an arm around her waist and kisses her cheek. “Baby, you once tripped overairin our kitchen.”
Lucy shoves him away with an affectionate glare. “I was distracted.”
He smirks. “By me?”
She rolls her eyes. “Byhunger.”
They’re disgusting. I hate them.
Lucy waddles back to the kitchen, rubbing her belly. “Make yourself at home, Chase. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“You meanImade dinner,” Bennett corrects, grabbing a beer from the fridge.
Lucy waves a hand. “You’re good at it. I’mgrowing ahuman.”
I shake my head, watching them bicker like this is the best part of their day.
Lucy Quinn, formerly known as the Queen of Hockey Social Media, somehow went from being the bane of Bennett’s existence to the love of his life.
It’s weird seeing one of your best friendshappy. Like,domestichappy. It used to freak me out. But now?
I dunno.
It doesn’t freak me out as much as it used to.
Dinner is full of the usual—Bennett trying to get Theo to eat his veggies, Lucy failing miserably at pretending to help, and the two of them tag-teaming me about my off-season.
It’s to be expected.
“So,” Lucy starts, pouring herself a ginger ale. “You went off the grid for a while there. No wild parties? No random hookups making headlines? No Chase Remington ‘Bad Boy’ antics?”
I sigh. “Nice to see you, Luce. Always a pleasure.”
