Chapter 19
Patterson.
My fist connects with his nose, sending blood down his chin, as we push him against the opposite wall.
“You motherfucker,” Gideon growls as he puts pressure on Patterson’s windpipe. “You fucked with the wrong girl p>
“You touched what’s mine,” I add and slap him across the face, humiliating him as I sense more teammates huddling around the end of the hall. Gideon vibrates with fury, but he lets me get the hits in.
“She was begging me to fuck her,” Patterson wheezes out, barely able to speak thanks to the way Gid’s holding his neck.
I’m going to kill him.
“Hey,” Mac says in my ear, patting my shoulder. “Go comfort your girl and your kid. I’ve got this p>
“I’ll ruin you,” I say in Patterson’s face. “Your career is fucking over p>
Knowing that Mac and Gid will take care of the piece of shit, and needing to see that Wills and Aiden are okay, I hurry over and pull them both to me.
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you p>
“Just wanted to scare me,” Wills says, shaking her head, but her hand trembles as she lifts it to my face. “And mostly he pissed me off. Then, Aiden came to my rescue p>
I turn to the teenager, and without a second thought, I kiss him on the head. “Good man. I’m proud of you p>
“You’re a worthless piece of shit,” Patterson spits out at Aiden as he walks past, and I let them both go, then yank Patterson out of Mac’s grip and punch him in the nose again.
“Say one more word to my kid, and I’ll fucking end you p>
“Come on,” Mac says, picking Patterson up off the floor. “Let’s get you out of here before I let Cap murder your dumb ass p>
Other teammates step in to help Mac, and Gideon turns to us.
“Is everyone okay?” he asks.
“We’re fine. Well, that was… exciting,” Willow says with a little laugh. “It’s not a party until someone gets a broken nose p>
“Hockey,” Aiden says with a shrug. “It happens p>
How did I get so lucky?
“I’ll take you both home p>
“Absolutely not,” Willow says, shaking her head. “Gideon just got here, and it’s a party to celebrate you. We’re having fun, and now that the asshole is gone, we can resume having fun. We’re not going to let that ruin tonight. He didn’t hurt me p>
I search her eyes, looking for any indication that she’s just putting on a brave face, but she smiles, and it’s genuine.
“If you’re sure p>
“I’ll buy a round of sodas,” Aiden says, puffing out his chest. “I’ve been earning a shit ton of money this summer p>
“It’s an open bar, squirt,” Gideon says, pulling Aiden into a headlock.
“Even better,” Aiden says with a laugh as they head over to the bar.
I pull Willow against me and hug her tight. “Are you really okay, sweetheart p>
“Yep. He wanted to scare me because he doesn’t like you. Who is that asshole p>
“Patterson. He’s only been on the team for about three years, and he thought that because he was a college hotshot, he’d come in here, be captain, and rule the team p>
“Oh, so he’s young and stupid p>
“Very. He doesn’t like to be told what to do. I don’t care. I heard today that now that I’m gone, he still won’t be captain p>
She looks up at me with those gorgeous blue eyes. “Who will p>
“Mac.” I grin and kiss her forehead. “I’m sorry he took his shit out on you p>
“I had a bunch of strong men come to my rescue. But I was about to use the self-defense moves that Gideon taught me. Stomp his foot, knee him in the balls, hand to the nose p>
“That’s my strong girl.” With my arm slung around her shoulders, I lead Wills back out to the party. The woman who was flirting with Gideon earlier is back at it, sitting in his lap, now, whispering in his ear.
His hands are not on her. And she must say something that he definitely doesn’t like, because he respectfully takes her by the waist, lifts her off his lap, and sets her aside.
Her face is mutinous as she storms away.
“Breaking hearts, as usual,” I say as I move up beside him.
“These girls get bolder and bolder,” he says, shaking his head.
“Or we’re getting older and older p>
He scoffs, but he doesn’t deny it.
Ten years ago, we were all about this scene. Different girls, lots of booze. Okay, too many girls and too much fucking booze.
But now, all I want is the woman at my side. She checks every box for me, and I can’t wait to get her home later. To curl up with her, hold her.
Love her.
Because shit, am I ever in love with her.
“Cap!” Mac’s waving me down from across the table. I tip up an eyebrow. “Three on three tomorrow at the ice house p>
The idea of being on the ice again with some of my teammates sends a surge of energy through me.
“You’re on. Prepare to have your ass handed to you p>
“Fuck that. We’re on the same team p>
I smirk at him and then glance over at Aiden. “You wanna play p>
His eyes widen in alarm. “What? No. I can’t p>
“Why not? You know how, right p>
“I mean, yeah. Sure. But I’m no pro or anything p>
“It’s a scrimmage, not the Stanley Cup.” I ruffle his hair. “You’ll play p>
I glance down and see Willow blinking fast, trying not to cry.
“You’re such a softy, Trouble p>
“You should play,” Aiden says to Gideon as we finish up our breakfast at the ice house. It’s midmorning, because after getting home last night well past midnight, no one wanted to get up early to hit the ice. Aiden stuffs an entire slice of bacon in his mouth. “Don’t be a pu—er, a wimp, Gid p>
Aiden side-eyes his aunt.
Gideon’s eyes narrow on the kid. Most people would be terrified of that look.
Not our boy.
Aiden grins.
“Are you scared, man?” Aiden shrugs a shoulder. “I get it. You probably haven’t skated in a long time. Maybe you’re worried that you’ll look like a fool out there, with the rest of us being awesome p>
I bark out a laugh, unable to hold it in. Aiden is a shit talker. I can’t wait to see how he does on the ice today, because if he’s good, he’d make an excellent hockey player.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Gideon finally replies, holding Aiden’s gaze as he takes a bite of his protein waffle.
Who the fuck eats protein waffles on vacation?
Gideon James, that’s who.
“As if you could,” Aiden scoffs, and then he laughs and leans over to high-five Gid, who’s smiling at the kid now. “Come on. It’ll be fun p>
“Someone has to sit with Willow,” Gideon replies. “It’s our thing. We sit and watch p>
“I can sit alone,” Willow offers, but then Gideon’s work phone is ringing, and he’s scowling.
“Fuck my life,” he mutters as he answers and then holds the device to his ear. “James.” His brows lower. “When? How many?” His whole body goes perfectly still. “Say that again p>
“Shit,” Willow whispers, and her hand drops under the table to grasp my leg. “He’s going to leave p>
Gideon’s stormy eyes have gone ice cold, his face hard. The fun-loving brother from a moment ago is gone, and in his place is quite literally a killer.
That look even gives me pause.
“ETA is seven hours,” he says and then ends the call.
“You’re leaving,” Aiden says, sounding disappointed.
“It seems Blackbird is… well, yeah. I have to go.” He shovels in the last of his waffle.
“Twelve hours was not long enough,” Willow says, and the sadness in her voice has me leaning over to kiss her head. “The Three Amigos need more time than that p>
“I know.” He sighs and drinks his juice as he taps on his screen, I assume scheduling a flight back to Washington. “I’m sorry, you guys p>
“I’m grateful that you came at all.” I stand when he does and circle the table so I can hug him.
Once upon a time, I hated his guts. We used to beat the shit out of each other.
I love it here on the ranch more than I thought I would. It’s only been a month, and the summer is close to being over, and I hope with everything in me that we don’t have to go back to hell house.
Because now that we’ve been here, with these people and animals and the clean air, I can’t imagine going anywhere else. I can’t imagine being without them.
We find out tomorrow if we get to stay. I know that Deb and Ray have petitioned the state to keep us here. They’ve been honest with us every day.
And that night, last week, when they asked us if we would like to stay permanently? Well, it felt like I was kicked in the stomach.
But in a good way.
And later that night, I heard Gideon sniffle up in his bunk. And maybe I had a hard time keeping the tears away too.
Because this is more than I ever dreamed of.
I can’t sleep, so I walk outside the bunkhouse to sit on the back porch and listen to the crickets and watch the stars.
But when I get out there, I realize that I’m not alone.
Gideon’s already sitting out here.
“Sorry,” I mumble when he turns to me in surprise. “Didn’t know you were out here p>
“Whatever,” he says, lifting his shoulder. “You can sit if you want p>
It’s been kind of decent to have the ceasefire between us since we both met Willow. She’s a firecracker, and she doesn’t take any of our shit. If we start to fight, she tells us to get over it.
And neither of us wants to disappoint her.
We haven’t thrown a punch since we got here, and that’s gotta be a record of some kind.
“Do you think they’ll let us stay?” Gid asks, his voice quiet in the dark.
“I dunno. I’m not sure how any of that works.” I let out a breath, and we both watch an owl swoop overhead, looking for a midnight snack. “I don’t see why not. No one’s going to come looking for me. My mom’s dead, and I don’t have any other family p>
Gideon’s quiet for a minute. He never says too much. “No one’s coming for me either. Deb and Ray are decent p>
“Yeah p>
“And everyone else seems good too p>
I nod in agreement. “They’re good p>
He glances my way, and I meet his gaze, my brown to his blue. “If they keep us, that will make us brothers p>
I thought of that, too, but I didn’t know if I should say something. “I guess so, yeah p>
He doesn’t even blink, he just holds my gaze, his face so serious that I wish he’d tell me what’s going on in his head.
“If we’re brothers, we can’t keep fucking with each other, because that’ll mean that we have to have each other’s backs. If you’re my brother, I won’t let anyone dick with you p>
I nod slowly. “Same goes, I guess. I mean, you’ll probably still piss me off all the time, but I’m the only one that gets to smack you around p>
His lips twitch in the corners. “I want to stay p>
“Me too.” I let out a breath and watch that owl again. “I’m so sick of being scared, of being hungry, of not fitting in anywhere. This fits, you know p>
“Yeah. It fits. But Ry p>
I lift an eyebrow.
“Even if they don’t let us stay, I think you’re okay. I’d still let you be my brother p>
I can’t talk over the lump in my throat. I just hold my fist out for his, and he bumps it. We sit in silence for two more hours, taking in the night around us, lost in our thoughts.
And the next day, we get the news that we can stay. It was the best day of my life.
Now he’s my best friend. My brother in every way that matters, including in our last name. And I miss the fuck out of him.
“Be careful,” I tell him.
“Every day,” he confirms. “I’ll go back to your penthouse to grab my shit and then straight to the airport p>
“Gid.” Willow nibbles on her lower lip. “Can’t someone else deal with that so you can be here for another day p>
Gideon wraps his arms around her and murmurs something in her ear that I can’t hear, but it has her sagging against him, and she nods.
“I know,” she says and smiles up at him. “Go be badass, then. Call me when you get there p>
“You’re such a mother hen,” he tells her, and Aiden nods.
“Now you know what I live with,” Aiden says, earning a scowl from his aunt. “Not that I mind or anything p>
“Right, you brat.” She ruffles his hair.
Gideon heads out, and I lead Aiden and Willow to the rink.
“Take him to the locker room,” she says with a knowing nod. “I’ll be fine over here. We’re on this rink p>
“Yep. We’ll be out in about fifteen or so p>
“Take your time p>
As she wanders out to find a seat, I take Aiden into the team’s special locker room, and his jaw drops.
“Wow,” he says.
It’s the offseason, so it’s pretty empty in here right now. My name is still above my locker, and I’m glad they haven’t taken it down quite yet.
Mac, Spencer, and two more of my teammates are getting dressed, and between all of us, we get Aiden suited up in one of my jerseys and find him skates that fit him.
He looks nervous as fuck as he takes his stick and follows me out of the locker room.
“We’re just playing around, kid,” Mac assures him. “There’s no right and wrong. Just have fun p>
“Says the guy making millions to have fun,” Aiden says with a smirk.
“Oh, hey,” I tell Aiden. “Since I have you alone, I need to tell you that I’m taking your aunt out on a real date tonight, so you’ll be at the penthouse by yourself p>
I’m going to wine and dine her, romance her.
Sink inside her.
And I can’t fucking wait.
“What am I, chopped liver?” Mac asks.
“Why are you coming to my penthouse?” I ask him.
“Because we’re playing video games. Duh.” Mac looks at me like I’m stupid, and Aiden laughs.
“It makes sense that you’re bonding with the high school kid.” I shake my head at him.
“He’s cooler than most of the people I know,” Mac replies.
I’m grateful to him for making my boy feel welcome and included. He doesn’t have to do that. But Mac’s good people.
“Okay, here’s how this is gonna go,” Spencer says as we all take the ice. I keep my eyes on Aiden, but he skates right out there, as if he does this every day. No wobble in sight.
Spencer lays out the rules, and I glance toward Willow, who grins right at me.
It’s damn good to see her in the stands again. Wearing my sweater. Smiling at me.
My girl.
“Ready?” Mac asks us as we line up on the ice.
“Let’s smash ’em,” Aiden says, making me laugh.
The kid is good. He’s out of practice, but he has an instinct for the puck, and he’s perfect on his skates. Fast. And once we started playing, it was like he forgot to be nervous.
“I’m calling him the smasher,” Mac says after I score a goal. “Jesus, Aiden, do you want a fucking job? We’ll take you today p>
I skate past Wills, and I pause by the glass to blow her a kiss.
“Badass,” she yells out at me, and I wink at her before joining the others, and then we’re flying down the ice again, and this time, Aiden scores a point.
“I’ll take that job,” Aiden says, raising his stick over his head as he does a little dance.
I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun on the ice.