3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Duncan
Pulling up in front of David’s house, I kill the engine, rest my hands on the steering wheel, and let out a slow breath. I’m picking up Scarlett for our weekly visit to Mile High Mutts Rescue. It’s something the two of us look forward to. But today is different.
Today is the first time in years I’ll be seeing Ava.
The drive here reminded me of my first professional hockey game. My stomach is rolling, my heart is racing, and tiny thrills of excitement are coursing through every cell in my body.
I’m gonna be sick.
Flipping down the visor, I stare at my reflection in the mirror and run a hand through my hair. Slamming the visor closed, I wipe my palms against my pants and blow out one more big breath before getting out of the car.
Walking around the front of my Acadia, I hear the door to David’s house open. The corner of my mouth lifts as I see Scarlett making her way out.
“Uncle Duncan,” she screams, running down the stairs and throwing her body into my arms.
“Oof.” I groan, pretending her weight is too much. She wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. Feigning I can’t breathe, I choke out, “How much have you grown since I’ve been gone?”
Her tinkling laughter rains over me, spreading tiny rays of warmth throughout my body, causing my chest's tightness to loosen.
Scarlett gives another tight squeeze just before she wiggles out of my arms and grabs my hand, pulling me toward the house.
“Guess who’s here?!” She beams at me in that way of hers that melts my heart. If I wasn’t so tense knowing who’s staying with them, there’s nothing that would stop a smile from creeping across my face.
Scarlett’s excitement has that effect on me. Normally. Instead, there’s a stampede of horses running around my chest, and the pounding in my ears is making it difficult to do simple tasks like walk.
“Who?” My stomach clenches as I realize she’s dragging me into the house. I was hoping there would be some way I could avoid seeing Ava. I swallow hard and run my tongue over dry lips.
“Aunt Ava!” We walk into the house, and I give a cursory glance around the downstairs, and to my relief I don’t see Ava anywhere. Before I can relax, Scarlett calls out. “Aunt Ava! Uncle Dunky is here!”
Internally, I groan at Scarlett’s nickname for me. Ava walks through the archway of the kitchen, and my heart stops.
Her dishwater blonde hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, exposing her long neck. My eyes linger a moment before slowly lifting to her heart-shaped mouth only to find it slightly lifted at the corner. When I raise my eyes to hers, I see a glint of humor dancing in her baby-blue orbs.
My heart is pounding so hard I’m afraid it’s going to ram through my ribcage.
“Hi, Duncan,” she says, her voice washing over me. She shoves a hand in her jeans pocket and leans against the door frame. Her navy blue t-shirt hugs her curves. “Or should I say ‘Dunky’?”
I feel my lips tighten into a straight line, and she puts both hands up in surrender.
“Duncan, it is,” she says, her eyes sparkling.
Every feeling I’ve stuffed in deep, dark places concerning the woman standing twenty feet away rushes over me like a tidal wave. Tightness grips my chest, and I struggle to breathe.
I’m drowning in emotions I’ve worked years to rein in. Emotions I so carefully crafted and skillfully built only to have them break through the levee.
Or so I had thought.
A hand squeezes mine, and I look down to find Scarlett’s hazel eyes smiling up at mine. The storm immediately calms, and the tension drains from my body.
“Did you remember my surprise?” She asks, beaming at me. She knows I always keep my word, and the trust reflected in her face has my heart expanding.
My lips curve into a lopsided grin, and I place my thumb on her cheek. “Of course I did. It’s waiting for you at Mile High Mutts Rescue.”
“Oh, are we going to see Ryder?” She bounces up and down, and a soft chuckle falls from my lips.
“We’ll have to see when we get there,” I tell her. “But your surprise is something else.”
“Tell me, tell me!” She squeals, clapping her hands. Then, she uses the tone that usually breaks me, “ Please. ”
I throw my head back and laugh, only to hear a gasp come from across the room. My gaze snaps to Ava’s, and my mouth goes dry from the look in her eyes. In an instant, the look is gone, and she pushes herself from the door frame and heads over to the refrigerator.
Pulling my eyes from Ava’s back, I glance down to Scarlett, who patiently awaits my response. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Uncle Duncan,” Scarlett whines, the corner of her lips pulling down. I press my lips together to keep the grin from breaking through. “You know I hate waiting.”
“And you know I hate being called Uncle ‘Dunky’.” The little imp lowers her head to her shoulder, puts a hand on her hip, and has the audacity to grin so big I’m not sure how her face doesn’t crack.
“I know.” She shrugs. “I just like seeing your expression.”
A chuckle comes from the other end of the room, and it takes everything in me not to look at its source. I give my goddaughter a scowl that would make any one of my teammates take cover, only to have her smile get bigger. “I’ll remember that later, Red.”
“What do the two of you do at the rescue?” Ava asks.
Is that hesitation in her voice? I glance toward her to see her focused on ripping at the corner of the water bottle label.
“Take some of the dogs for walks; make sure they have fresh water and food,” Scarlett responds. “One day, I even got to watch a training class where the dogs were doing agility. It was sooooo cool!”
Ava's eyes land on Scarlett, a warm smile resting on her face as she listens to her talk about a few of our adventures at Mile High Mutts Rescue.
I let my gaze roam over her face, taking her in. She’s as beautiful as ever, but I can’t help but notice the slight darkness under her eyes. An urge to wrap my arms around her comes over me. As if feeling my thoughts, her eyes slide over to mine.
My stomach tightens. I clench my jaw and narrow my eyes. The smile on Ava’s face dims just a tiny bit, and guilt floods me at the thought of hurting her. But I need to get these feelings under control. Ava will never return the feelings I had. And if I’m not careful I’ll fall in love with her all over again.
My heart and soul can’t take that pain again.
“I love you.” The words fell from my mouth without hesitation or thought. For the first time, other than on the ice, I was utterly lost in the moment and saying exactly how I felt.
Ava’s smile dropped, and a confused expression filled her eyes. “Duncan. I’m sure you—”
“I always have.” I place a hand on her cheek and forge ahead. “I know I’m younger and David’s brother, but I feel like there’s always been a—”
The tips of her fingers gently covered my mouth to stop the flow of words falling. The look in her eyes had my stomach tied into knots.
Pity. So much pity.
A car door closing pulls my attention back, and I reach over and gently tug on Scarlett’s braid. “Are you ready to get going?”
“Yes!” Scarlett runs toward the front door, yelling over her shoulder. “See you later, Aunt Ava!”
“Bye,” Ava responds. “Have fun. I’ll see you when you get home.”
Without looking back at where Ava stands, I walk through the door after Scarlett. I find Scarlett in her Dad’s arms, giving him a quick hug.
David’s gaze falls on me, and I can see him searching my face for any reaction to seeing Ava again. I slip my usual guarded look on and watch his eyebrows pull together. I give him a nod in greeting.
“Will you be staying for dinner when you bring Scar home?” Panic fills me as I try to think of a good reason for breaking from our usual routine.
“No,” I answer too quickly, avoiding eye contact. “I have to…I have to meet up with Noah and Henry to discuss strategy for tomorrow.”
David nods, skepticism filling his eyes. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else.
“Come on, Uncle Dunky!” Scarlett yells from the passenger side of my truck, a serious expression on her face. “We’re gonna be late!”
A muffled cough comes from behind me, and I slam a glare in David’s direction. His mouth is covered by his fist just as he ‘coughs’ a few more times, his shoulders shaking.
Scrubbing my hand up and down my face, I turn back toward the truck and walk around to the driver’s side.
Scarlett and I will need to find a compromise on this Uncle ‘Dunky’ thing. As much as I would give her the world, I’m not sure my ego will survive the humiliation that nickname causes me.