Page 25 of Cold As Ice

“Nothing too crazy, Mom. We went for drinks on Saturday night. Had a pizza and movie night. It’s been nice.”

“That’s good. You deserve some time occasionally. Just don’t go getting too used to it.” She laughed. They both did.

But I didn’t laugh.

“I’m going to help Fawn and Immy with the pancakes.” I brushed past her and made a beeline for my daughter.

CHAPTER5

AUSTIN

Madison: How’s Fred Claus today?

I smiled at her taunt and typed out a quick reply.

Austin: Hungry. Just making breakfast.

Madison: I’ve got a long shift at the coffee shop. Maybe you can keep me company with your festive humor?

Austin: I can try my best.

Madison didn’t reply, so I dropped my phone on the counter and added milk to my cereal. I was almost done eating when the back door opened.

“Hey,” Ella said as she let herself in.

“How is he?” I asked.

Connor had gotten the surgery a couple of days ago, and I’d heard from Noah that he was struggling with his new reality.

“I’m sure he’s fine.”

I frowned. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine.” Her expression darkened, and it didn’t escape me that she wouldn’t look me in the eye.

“That’s a whole lot of fine going on there.” One of my brows lifted, and she let out a weary sigh, finally meeting my gaze.

“Mr. Morgan is a very difficult man.”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea for you to go stay with them?”

I’d heard that was the plan. I wasn’t surprised Connor had let his old man talk him into going back to Dayton with them, but I was surprised he’d asked Ella to go, especially after how badly things had gone when he took her home for Thanksgiving.

“Connor wants me there.” Ella shrugged.

“And I get it. I do, El. But it doesn’t seem very fair to you.”

She looked at me funny, studying me a little too hard. “You’re in an awfully good mood.”

“What? I can’t ask how you’re doing now?”

“No, that’s not… Sorry, I’m just tired and cranky.”

“Yeah, I’m fucking exhausted.”

“Someone keep you up all night?” she teased, and my defenses went straight up.

I was a private person. I didn’t fuck around and then divulge all the dirty details to my teammates, like some of the guys. My private life was just that—private. Even my best friends knew very little about that side of me. It was how I liked it.

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