Page 97 of Triple Play
So I do. I let myself sink into this moment—the warmth of the heating pad, the sound of Jordie’s laughter, the weightof Wyatt’s arms, the careful presence of Grant finally letting himself stay.
Just this. Just now. Just us.
Whatever comes next, we’ll deal with it tomorrow.
Right now, I’m exactly where I need to be.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
UNDER THE TABLE
Elise
Teddy shows up on a Thursday with zero warning and a bag of groceries like he’s planning to stay for dinner.
“Surprise!” He’s grinning in the doorway, completely oblivious to the panic radiating off all four of us. “Thought I’d check on my baby sister. Make sure these idiots are treating you right.”
I’m wearing Wyatt’s hoodie. There’s a hickey on my neck I thought I’d covered with concealer. And Jordie’s hand was literally up my shirt thirty seconds before the doorbell rang.
“Teddy. Hi.” I force my voice to sound normal even though my heart is trying to escape my chest. “This is… unexpected.”
“That’s the point of a surprise, Ellie.” He pushes past me into the house, setting the groceries on the counter. “Hey, Grant. Didn’t know you’d be home. Usually you’re at the rink.”
Grant’s leaning against the counter with carefully constructed casualness, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. “Day off.”
“Perfect. We can all have dinner together. Like old times.” Teddy starts unpacking—steaks, potatoes, beer. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Here.” Jordie appears from the living room, smile bright and innocent. Too innocent. “Teddy, man. Good to see you.”
“Dickson.” They do that bro-hug thing. “How’s the season looking?”
“Good. Great. We’re—yeah, good.”
Smooth, Jordie. Real smooth.
Wyatt emerges from the hallway, and I watch Teddy’s eyes track to him, then to me, then back. His expression shifts slightly—something calculating working behind those protective older brother eyes.
“Wyatt Carter, right? Defenseman?”
“Yeah.” Wyatt’s voice is carefully neutral. “Nice to meet you properly.”
Teddy eyes the hoodie I’m wearing. The one that’s three sizes too big and clearly not mine.
Shit.
“So!” I clap my hands together with forced enthusiasm. “Dinner. You’re making dinner. That’s… great.”
“Yeah, figured you could use a real meal.” Teddy’s already pulling out a cutting board. “You eating enough? You look thin.”
“I’m fine, Teddy.”
“You’re studying too hard. I can tell.” He points the knife at Grant. “You’re supposed to be looking after her.”
Grant’s jaw ticks. “She doesn’t need looking after.”
“She’s my baby sister. Everyone needs to look after her.”
I want to scream. Or hide. Or both.
