Page 139 of My Brother's Enemy
I found myself nodding. “We’ll come.”
“Great. I’ll let her know. She’ll cook double since we’ll have a hockey player eating. If you need anything, reach out. Missy too. I’ve known that woman for most of my life and I’ve never heard her say something she doesn’t mean.”
“Thank you, Coach Hines. I mean it.”
“Well. Good.” His tone got gruff. “We’ll see you on Saturday. You come empty handed and with an empty stomach. You hear me?”
“I hear you.”
Tyler found me not long after, dressed and showered. His cheeks were flushed, no doubt from the shower. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I began putting my things away before I stood, drawling, “What? Meet my niece who’s named after me? You’re totally right. We shouldn’t go. Like, ever.”
He rolled his eyes but was trying to hold back a smile. “You know what I mean. Meeting the nieces will be fun. I can start brainwashing them to believe how horrible their uncle is in hockey. I’ll plant seeds tonight.” He nudged my shoulder with his. “I meant going to his house. It’s his turf. We can meet at the hotel. In the lobby. And maybe the rest of the team will just happen to also be there. It’s more neutral territory.”
My phone buzzed again and I checked it.
Dane: Not sure when you’re heading over, but the girls are excited. Be warned. They’ve had sugar.
I showed Tyler the text, who whisked the phone from me and was typing back before I could register he was even doing it.
“Hey.” I reached for the phone.
He stepped back and held it over my head, still typing. “And send.” He was smug as he handed the phone back, then turned to head out the door. “Not sorry.”
I groaned before I read what he’d sent to Dane.
Rain: Good. Give them more sugar and start preparing them for the awesomeness they’re about to meet.
Rain: This is Tyler, by the way. I’m also pretty spectacular. Have you asked your wife yet? (Don’t worry. I know she agrees.) I’m actually referring how fucking amazing their aunt is so I hope you’ve let them know.
Rain: Still Tyler. If there is even a hint at anyone in your household being rude to Rain, I have no problem dropping some truth bombs. The first being how truly much your entire family have sucked to Rain. You’ve been warned.
I sighed before typing out a quick text.
Rain: This is Rain. You already sent the address. I just ordered an Uber. Be there shortly.
I would not apologize for Tyler’s texts. I goddamn loved that manbecauseof his texts.
He was waiting for me in the hallway, his shoulder, hip, and the side of his head were leaning against the wall. He lifted his head up. “Are you mad at me?”
I frowned at him as I pulled the door shut. “For what?”
“For putting my nose where it doesn’t belong.” He motioned to the phone in my hand.
I checked both ways, but the hallway was empty before I stepped up to him. Tugging on his shirt, his head lowered and I went up on my tiptoes to brush my lips over his. I said once I was there, “Never. I’d do the same for you.” My hand spread out against his chest and I felt his heart pound there. I lingered, savoring the feel of that heart.
As the kiss deepened, his hands splayed out over my hips. “Now I don’t want to go for a whole different reason.”
“Soon.” I nipped at his lips one last time before leading the way to meet our ride. My hand slid to his and I laced our fingers, keeping my hand in his through the ride as well.
80
TYLER
Dane Connors’s wife was nice. What the fuck.
I wanted her to be stuck-up and to be a bitch. She was neither. Dane actually got a good one. I mean, I wouldn’t date her, and she couldn’t compare to Rain, but she was a catch. How the hell had Dane landed her?
